All eyes are on what could be, a season defining game for both Adelaide and Brisbane on Friday night.
Both sides have been for the most part, the most inconsistent and mediocre performers in the early parts of this season. Sitting 5th (Bris) and 6th (Adel) respectively, were expected to improve on last season and push serious claims toward play-off appearances this season. Although both clubs have played well in patches, they have also had some disappointing losses which have led to their average positions.
A part from Brisbane’s amazing win over Perth three weeks ago, the only other clubs they have beaten are bottom two Illawarra and Cairns, that should give some indication of where they are at. For Adelaide, their record was much the same until a surprising 103-91 win over South East Melbourne Phoenix that keeps them alive in 2019/20.
This game will almost certainly decide the only other club that can realistically push South East Melbourne out of the play-offs. No one in their right mind will predict Perth, Sydney or Melbourne dropping, but the stigma of the Phoenix being in their inaugural campaign leads many to believe they are still in danger of falling.
Brisbane and Adelaide are both capable of playing some seriously good basketball. But for some reason, things just aren’t clicking… at least not as well fans would have anticipated.
Having a look at the stats, we can see Adelaide are fourth for field-goal-attempts (74.5), Brisbane a shocking eighth (71.2). Adelaide are also fourth for field-goals-made (33.6), Brisbane fifth (31.0). For three-points-made, Brisbane are in a mediocre sixth (10.2), Adelaide looking horrendous in last (7.1).
The biggest problem for the 36ers thus far is their clear reliance on too few. Co-Captains Brendan Teys and Kevin White have been completely influential this season, new-recruit Daniel Dillon hasn’t made the impact many hoped for and it seems like it’s the Anthony Drimic, Daniel Johnson, Harry Froling, Jack McVeigh and Jerome Randle show too often. If one or more of these six players are injured or in a form slump, no one steps up to fill the void. Basketball is a team game, why are five players always playing major minutes while the others do nothing but get splinters on the pine?
As for the Bullets, they have one of the most talented rosters in the competition. They should in theory, be absolutely pushing for a championship this season. It looks questionable they will even feature in the play-offs though. Andrej Lemanis has struggled for consistency with his team.
All of Cameron Gliddon, Jason Cadee, Matthew Hodgson and Mika Vukona have taken a step backwards this year and for the most part, look nothing like their best. The 430+ game veteran Vukona can be forgiven, but the rest should in theory be in the prime of their careers. EJ Singler, Lamar Patterson and Taylor Braun have been consistent, but rarely have the others followed their suite.
Friday’s game will be a must-watch. The winner of this game remains well and truly in the hunt. For the loser though, by no means is their season completely over, but it will be as good as over when looking at the discrepancies of the NBL ladder.