Adelaide coach Joey Wright says 36ers have formed a new identity and he likes what he sees

THE NBL season is only four rounds in but Adelaide coach Joey Wright says his new-look team has already forged its new identity and is making steady improvement.

Josh Childress made his 36ers debut against Cairns last week. Picture: Brian Cassey.

THE NBL season is only four rounds in but Adelaide coach Joey Wright says his new-look team has already forged its new identity and is making steady improvement.

The 36ers play New Zealand in Auckland on Thursday night in the first of a tough double header on the road before they play Melbourne on Saturday evening.

With new imports Shannon Shorter, Josh Childress and Ramone Moore all contributing early in the season and even more impact from starters Mitch Creek and Nathan Sobey and Anthony Drmic coming off the bench, Adelaide is among the early pacesetters sitting third on the ladder with a 4-2 record.

“We definitely have our identity now, it took us probably about 10 or 12 games last year to formulate that, but we already have an identity and know we can get up and down the court and run with anybody,” Wright said before the 36ers flew out on Tuesday.

“We have a great inside/outside attack and we play some good pick-and-roll basketball so I think our guys are aware of that, we just need to extend it.

“Right now we probably do it for about two quarters and we want to extend that to three quarters and by the end of the year, out to four.”

Wright praised the way Childress had come into the team last week after being brought in as a last-minute but highly-valued replacement for Alan Wiggins who broke his arm on debut.

Childress made his 36ers debut in Friday night’s 84-80 win over Cairns and showed his NBA class.

“He’s been unbelievable, he’s probably transitioned in as easy as any player I’ve ever had, especially this late, he picks up everything real quick,” Wright said.

“Just his ability to rebound, play defence and change shots, but also rip and get on the rim and his passing is great as well so he’s been great.”

Having played Melbourne, Sydney and Cairns all twice this season, New Zealand presents a new challenge for Adelaide on Thursday.

The Breakers are currently sitting second on the NBL ladder with a 4-1 record after beating Brisbane by five points in Round 4.

“They’re playing some great ball, second on the ladder, it’s going to be a good game,” Wright said.

“They’ll look to attack us on the perimeter but they also go down low so they have a great attack.

“With the two games on the road we’ll just prepare for the first one and hopefully we’ll be ready to go.”

GAME DETAILS

New Zealand Breakers v Adelaide 36ers

at North Shore Events Centre, 5pm

Starting fives

New Zealand

Sosa

Newbill

Abercrombie

Vukona

Pledger

Adelaide

Shorter

Sobey

Creek

Johnson

Hodgson

Watch the NBL live on Fox Sports 3