Adelaide 36ers star import Zylan Cheatham opens up on Montrezl Harrell’s shock exit and how his team has gone to war to break a two-decade NBL title drought
After Montrezl Harrell’s exit, Adelaide import Zylan Cheatham said his team went to “war” – and is “willing to go to the depths of hell” to break the Sixers’ NBL title drought.
Zylan Cheatham is “willing to go to the depths of hell” to bring Adelaide its first NBL championship in more than two decades as the club moves on from the “weird” Montrezl Harrell situation.
Cheatham, Harrell and Isaac Humphries were set to form one of the NBL’s best front lines, before Harrell’s shock exit in the wake of drug allegations in China.
Cheatham, who is living with his family in a “beautiful” spot in North Adelaide, says Harrell’s exit was a shock to the players.
But it’s now “next man up” in pursuit of NBL26 glory.
“We all supported him (Harrell) as best as we could but we were kind of in the dark about what was going on, really. We didn’t know the logistics of it and rightfully so,” Cheatham said.
“We were building and things were going well and we were hit with the news, just like everybody else.
“That’s a second team All-NBL player that we lost. There’s not one person that could just replace his energy, personality, the certain level of dominance, offensively and defensively on the floor and we’re all aware of that.
“So obviously it had very much an impact on our program, on our players but, as crazy as it sounds, it’s that ‘next-man-up’ mentality.”
TRAINING WARS IN THE DEPTHS OF HELL
The 29-year-old said that ruthless mentality was evident from the team’s first practice without Harrell.
“It was an absolute war and guys were holding each other accountable and everyone stepped up,” Cheatham said.
“That’s what makes this group special to me. It’s a very resilient group and we’re all here for each other. We’re all here with the same goal.”
The experienced former New Orleans and Utah Jazz NBA man has taken it upon himself to turbocharge practices and it’s permeated throughout the group, leaving coaching staff feeling like they need to save the players from themselves.
“I’m a high-energy guy and that’s something I’ve hung my hat on, pretty much since I picked up a basketball, so we have a certain standard that we have to meet each day,” Cheatham said.
“If that standard is not met, I’m willing to go to, respectfully, the depths of hell, to find it.
“Anytime training is lacking energy or I feel that guys aren’t locked in or we’re going through the motions, I’m that guy that will definitely speak up about it.
“Sometimes it’s in a motivational way. Sometimes it’s in a slightly disrespectful way.
“I know what guys I can push and, after all that, we all get together, shake hands and smile because we know we got better that day and that’s the goal.”
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Cheatham’s played in the NBL before – a stint in New Zealand where he was one of the league’s best big men – but injury limited him to 19 games and he admits irks him.
“That really didn’t sit well with me and then not making any (All-NBL) teams, and not really getting, I felt like, the respect I deserved in the league, it kind of put that fire in my belly and I wanted to come back because I have unfinished business,” he said.
The familiarity with the league was a factor in his return, coupled with the esteem the NBL is now held in and the improvement on and off the court in Adelaide.
“I’ve grown a lot of respect for the league and what it has to offer and, as far as exposure and potential to be seen by the NBA and higher clubs, this is a very respected league.
“I respect what Adelaide is trying to build here, seeing where the program has gone to from the last time I played them when I was in New Zealand.
“The signing of Bryce and the signing of (Isaac) Whitey, Michael Harris, Flynn Cameron, DJ (Vasiljevic) coming back, Hump (Isaac Humphries), that’s something I saw myself fitting into and it became a no-brainer for me.
“They’re taking major steps in the right direction in trying to build a championship organisation here.”
NEW MAN A CHANCE AS ATTENTION TURNS TO TAIPANS
Adelaide moved quickly to bolster its frontline, signing 211cm Serbian-American Nick Rakocevic, who is set to join the team in Cairns on Thursday ahead of their clash with the Taipans.
Cheatham knows of Rakocevic from their college days.
“That’s a PAC-12 (NCAA college division) connection – he went to USC and I went to Arizona State and I played against him,” Cheatham said.
“He played in China and I watched a lot of the CBA so I’m familiar with his game and familiar with what he stands for as far as the basketball player goes.
“We’ll welcome him into the family and get him acquainted as quickly as possible.”
He’s well aware the revamped Taipans will be no easy beats on the home floor, particularly off a pair of wins last round.
“This is really a high calibre roster and their organisation has high expectations for them, and they just had a big win in Sydney, and they just beat Brisbane at home, so it’s going to be a high-level game,” Cheatham said.
“That’s just a testament to what the NBL is this year.
“Without exposing any of our game plan or anything that I’m personally thinking, I’m just excited for the game.”
ADELAIDE 36ERS (1-0) V CAIRNS TAIPANS (2-1)
Thursday, October 2, 7pm Adeliade time, Cairns Convention Centre
Watch on Kayo Sports, ESPN and Disney+
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Originally published as Adelaide 36ers star import Zylan Cheatham opens up on Montrezl Harrell’s shock exit and how his team has gone to war to break a two-decade NBL title drought
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