Crosscourt: All the latest big talking points out of NBL23
We’re a third of the way through the NBL season, so, with a break in play, it’s time to revisit our new import rankings. Who are the big risers and fallers? HAVE YOUR SAY
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Reigning MVP Jaylen Adams has declared he most likely won’t return to the NBL this season, but the pressure on new imports to perform remains.
It was speculated Adams could re-join the Australian league after parting ways with Serbian side, Crvena zvezda.
The ex-Sydney Kings star had been linked to Brisbane after the Bullets released import Devondrick Walker.
Melbourne United has also been mentioned as a potential landing spot with the club’s imports Rayjon Tucker and Jordan Caroline struggling.
Adams, though, says his heart lies with the Kings if he was to return to the NBL, but it’s not on his radar as cashed up European clubs circle for his signature.
“Sydney is home and not without IC (Ian Clark) or ‘Rell (Jarell Martin), so probably no for this year,” Adams told Crosscourt.
Adams’ declaration comes as United officials backed Tucker, despite his poor recent form.
The Charlotte-born shooting guard has been benched and produced a shocker in Friday’s loss to Cairns, scoring just two points in 20 minutes on the floor.
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Tucker’s struggles have prompted talk that he is under pressure to keep his job — and a sharp slide down News Corp’s new import power rankings.
However, United officials are standing firm, saying there is no news when it comes to their American wing who boldly declared he is the NBL’s best import during the pre-season.
Tucker isn’t the only new import fighting for his job, with the likes of Caroline, George King (Hawks) and TaShawn Thomas and Brady Manek (Wildcats) also under the pump, although Manek was brilliant with 25 points in the Wildcats drought-snapping win over Adelaide on Saturday night.
NBL FIRST-YEAR IMPORT POWER RANKINGS
***List compiled before Sunday’s games
TOP 10
1: Derrick Walton Jr (Sydney Kings)
Previous ranking: 1
Stats: 16 points, 4.63 rebounds, 6.38 assists
The promise: Would lead the league in assists as the league’s premier passer
The reality: As advertised. Among the league leaders in assists with 6.38apg. The perfect piece for the reigning champions.
2: DJ Hogg (Cairns Taipans)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Stats: 18 points, 5.25 rebounds, 2.38 assists
The promise: A high-level scorer with deep NBA range who can dominate with his size and skillset.
The reality: Hogg has been impressively efficient. Sits sixth in the league in scoring, third in blocks and second in three-pointers.
3: Barry Brown Jr (New Zealand Breakers)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Stats: 21.2 points, 3 rebounds, 2.8 assists
The promise: A defensive-minded guard who can contribute on the offensive end with his “untapped potential”.
The reality: A walk up winner of the Sixth Man of the Year of he keeps this up. Second in the league in scoring in one of the NBL’s best teams.
4: Craig Randall II (Adelaide 36ers)
Previous ranking: 10
Stats: 20.33 points, 3.17 rebounds, 3 assists
The promise: The reigning G League Most Improved Player would excel with his scoring.
The reality: One of the league’s best shooters, sitting fourth in scoring despite question marks about his attitude.
5: Gary Browne (SEM Phoenix)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Stats: 9.75 points, 3 rebounds, 8.75 assists
The promise: Brought in to run the Phoenix offence and finish games.
The reality: Injured early, he’s played four games for four wins. Can’t argue with that.
6: Milton Doyle (Tasmania JackJumpers)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Stats: 15.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists
The promise: A versatile guard, strong shooter and high-level defender who has NBA experience.
The reality: Deceptively smooth and a great finisher at the rim. Adds a touch of class to the tough-as-nails JJs.
7: Shannon Scott (Cairns Taipans)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Stats: 12.13 points, 4.88 rebounds, 7.13 assists
The promise: A “calculated stockbroker” who is a coach on the court who put the team ahead of himself.
The reality: Browne Jr’s nearest challenger for Sixth Man of the Year, provides a steady hand off the bench among the helter-skelter Taipans and finishes games with expert efficiency.
8: Dererk Pardon (New Zealand Breakers)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Stats: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 0.63 assists
The promise: Mody Maor’s No.1 target as a pick n roll partner for William McDowell-White and Izayah Le’Afa.
The reality: Long-limbed and ready to rumble, Pardon has been great at both ends for the surprise-packet Breakers.
9: Alan Williams (SEM Phoenix)
Previous ranking: Inside top 10
Stats: 13.63 points, 7.25 rebounds, 2 assists
The promise: A ball of energy who rebounds like a mad man, sets great screens and rolls hard.
The reality: The Phoenix got exactly that.
10. Jarrell Brantley (New Zealand Breakers)
Previous ranking: 3
Stats: 13.88 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
The promise: A two-way beast with NBA experience who will also give the Breakers much needed steel on the defensive end.
The reality: Delivered in spades despite not appearing among the statistical leaders for steals and rebounds.
UNLUCKY
11: Tim Soares (Sydney Kings)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Stats: 8.75 points, 5.13 rebounds, 0.63 assists
The promise: Versatile Brazilian centre who would join Xavier Cooks and Simon as the longest and most-disruptive defensive trio in the league.
The reality: Has done just that. Dejan Vasiljevic raves about his verticality. So long.
12: Rashard Kelly (Tasmania JackJumpers)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Stats: 13.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists
The promise: A winner throughout college and his professional career, a versatile forward who would buy into the JackJumpers’ ethos.
The reality: He’s bought in and the Jackies are reaping the benefits. Is stiff to be ranked so low, an indication of how good this import class is.
13. Trey Kell (SEM Phoenix)
Previous ranking: 7
Stats: 11.7 points, 3 rebounds, 2.83 assists
The Promise: A globally experienced Syrian international guard who can stuff the stat sheet on his day.
The reality: Hampered by a rib injury early on, Kell is still finding his feet. Gave a glimpse of what he is capable of with a 20-point fourth quarter and OT explosion against Adelaide
STRUGGLING
14: Rayjon Tucker (Melbourne United)
Previous ranking: 5
Stats: 13.33 points, 7.33 rebounds, 2.33 assists
The promise: “The best import in the league”
The reality: Benched by Dean Vickerman and produced 2 points, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls and -24 in a 25-point loss to Cairns. Ouch.
15: Tyler Johnson (Brisbane Bullets)
Previous ranking: 2
Stats: 13.5 points, 2.38 rebounds, 2.88 assists
The promise: A guy with a bucketload of NBA experience who will come in and make the Bullets a contender with his athleticism.
The reality: NBA guys who made a career out of scoring in transition and have never played under FIBA rules tend to struggle in the NBL. That’s the reality for Johnson.
16: Brady Manek (Perth Wildcats)
Previous ranking: 9
Stats: 10.22 points, 3.89 rebounds, 1 assist
The promise: Big guy toughness, rebounding and a flamethrower from deep.
The reality: Hasn’t got near it, but deserves credit for his breakout game against Adelaide on Saturday. Jesse Wagstaff insists he’ll figure it out.
17: TaShawn Thomas (Perth Wildcats)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Stats: 9.43 points, 4.57 rebounds, 3.29 assists
The promise: A skilled big who can score the ball as well as make plays for others.
The reality: There are faint signs — especially with his big man passing — but hasn’t had a massive impact yet. Manek had a big game, is Thomas next?
18: George King (Illawarra Hawks)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Stats: 10.67 points, 4.11 rebounds, 0.89 assists
The promise: Former Phoenix Suns NBA draft pick who would provide elite shooting and defending on the perimeter.
The reality: Shot the ball really well to start the season, but hasn’t scored in double digits in any of his last six, hitting a new low with just two in a loss to the Sixers last start.
19: Jordan Caroline (Melbourne United)
Previous ranking: Outside the top 10
Stats: 5.5 points, 6.17 rebounds, 0.67 assists
The promise: He would be a dependable forward at both ends of the floor.
The reality: Was the scapegoat for United’s problems but has been hurt by the injury to Ariel Hukporti and struggles of Tucker. Tries hard, but isn’t a centre.
20: Justin Robinson (Illawarra Hawks)
Previous Ranking: Outside the top 10
Stats: 10 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists
The promise: He would be one of the league’s best scorers and finish the year in the top 20 players.
The reality: Robinson’s future is up in the air for now after he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
DISLIKES
THAT THE GAME HAS TO UNITE TO CONDEMN ONLINE ABUSE
The prevalence of gambling in the game has been attributed as a key factor in the spike in online abuse toward NBL players, as revealed in a special News Corp investigation
At the end of the day, though, each and every one of us is responsible for our own actions. Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari took to Twitter to call out the vile words aimed at NBL players.
“There‘s no place for this sort of hatred towards our players and families, or anyone else, for that matter,” Chaudhari said.
There's no place for this sort of hatred towards our players and families, or anyone else, for that matter. If everyone took that type of negative energy and said/did things that are positive, this world would be a much better place. Why is that so hard? ðŸ™ðŸ½
— Romie Chaudhari (@RRome44) November 5, 2022
“If everyone took that type of negative energy and said/did things that are positive, this world would be a much better place. Why is that so hard?”
Whether you’ve done your dough on the punt, think your compatriot deserves more playing time or are just trying to cause mischief, sliding into anyone’s DM with abusive messages is not on.
36ERS MUST FIND DEFENSIVE MOJO
The Adelaide 36ers have signed the NBL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Antonius Cleveland, but are giving up a league-worst 91.6 points per game
One person on Twitter commented: “The Adelaide 36ers play the worst defence on planet Earth.”
The Sixers dropped a third in four games — on their home floor against a Wildcats’ side that had lost each of its past five — and allowed Brady Manek to drop 25 points, including 6-8 from deep. He hadn’t managed more than eight points in any of his past four contests.
They’re third in the league in scoring, but it doesn’t count a lick if you can’t stop anyone.
LIKES
GOORJIAN’S EYES ON PINDER
Cairns Taipans big man Keanu Pinder is firmly on Australia’s radar for next year’s World Cup following a dominant start to the season.
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian couldn’t be happier with Pinder’s season average of 17 points and 10 rebounds in a Taipans side that has shocked the NBL to sit inside the top three.
The Cairns big was locked in to play in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan, but he couldn’t commit.
This won’t stop Goorjian from seriously considering Pinder for next year’s Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines from August 25 to September 10.
“He (Keanu) has been great,” Goorjian said about Pinder, who leads the league in rebounds.
“We have eyes on him for sure.”
BULLETS SHOW FIGHT FOR COACH
The Brisbane Bullets have won three straight, and while they’ve still got a long way to go, they’ve rediscovered their fight and intent to ease pressure on under-fire coach James Duncan.
It wasn’t pretty and they almost blew it, but the Bullets displayed commendable resilience to overcome the JackJumpers in Tasmania on Saturday.
Duncan deserves a chance to display his coaching skills at the highest level and he needs his players to consistently aim up for him.
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