Daniel Johnson wins fifth MVP trophy at Adelaide 36ers, as owner Grant Kelley spells out why he’s ordered an external review
Forward Daniel Johnson has established himself as one of the Adelaide 36ers’ all-time greats after winning his fifth MVP trophy. It comes as more details about the club’s external review are revealed.
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Adelaide 36ers’ Mr Consistency, Daniel Johnson, on Saturday night won the club’s Most Valuable Player Award for a fifth time.
The 31-year-old claimed the honour at the Sixers’ presentation and hall of fame evening at the Entertainment Centre, amid an ongoing external review into why the team has missed the finals for the past two seasons.
Johnson also won the Mark Davis Perpetual Trophy in 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2018-19, and his fifth MVP award cements him as one of the club’s all-time greats.
The power forward averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and two assists per game this season which included a career-high 38 point performance against Cairns in January.
Johnson, who has one year remaining on his contract with Adelaide and was also awarded the members’ choice award, is set to fly out to Japan where he will play for part of his off-season.
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Anthony Drmic was named most improved after averaging 10 points and four rebounds as a permanent starter, Brendan Teys was named best defensive player and Jack McVeigh won the coaches’ award.
The night doubled as the 36ers’ hall of fame induction ceremony and saw the careers of club legends Phil Smyth, Brett Maher and Mark Davis all celebrated.
Maher is currently leading an external review of the club’s on-court struggles alongside former championship teammate Rupert Sapwell and football administrator Rob Snowdon.
Club owner Grant Kelly told FIVEaa this week the review was asking one simple question of the basketball department.
“What is it going to take to win a championship for the Adelaide 36ers?,” Kelley said.
“Not just with (coach) Joey (Wright), but all positions going forward.
“We reserve our judgment until we have a really clear perspective on what the next steps ought to be.
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“It’s very difficult without a full-scale analysis to say what changes should happen at any level of the club, because if you look at where we were midway through the season at 8-7, we finished off winning only four of our last 13 games.
“There are reasons for that and I want to understand what they are, and we will form a view on that.
“We (Wright and Kelley) met last week before the Perth game and were in constant dialogue, it’s a very warm relationship and something we want to make sure we get right for all of our respective concerns.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au