NBL: Adelaide star Dejan Vasiljevic says rivals can’t stop the 36ers’ ‘offensive firepower’
Adelaide sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic has put the entire NBL on notice ahead of the blockbuster against Cairns, declaring the 36er’ collective offensive firepower can’t be stopped.
Basketball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Basketball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Adelaide 36ers sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic has put the entire NBL on notice ahead of Friday’s blockbuster against Cairns, declaring: Rivals can “hold and grab” him but they won’t stop the Sixers’ collective offensive firepower.
Vasiljevic’s bold statement comes as he compared the 36ers’ current star squad to his staked Sydney Kings side that won the championship in 2022.
Adelaide is shooting for nine straight home wins when they host the Taipans and Vasiljevic believes his side is building “dangerous” momentum.
The 36ers overcame a slow start to beat Tasmania last round, despite the JackJumpers’ best attempts to defensively shut down the man nicknamed ‘DJ’.
Vasiljevic knows Cairns will also try to nullify his potent three-point scoring, but he says that tactic could come back to bite the Taipans.
“A lot of people are going to top-block me and hold and grab but we’ve got (Kendric) Davis, (Montrezl) Harrell and (Sunday) Dech out there who can score the ball,” Vasiljevic said.
“So, if you want to take me out of action and out of the game, you’ve got to worry about four other guys putting the ball in the hoop.
“We’ve got a lot of offensive firepower and when we run and defend on teams, it’s hard to guard us.”
Vasiljevic believes Adelaide possess the star personnel to be a deep playoff team in NBL25.
He even compared the deep talent level on display at the 36ers to his title-winning Sydney side from NBL22.
“We had a lot of firepower in that (Sydney) team,” he said.
“Jarell (Martin) was there, Ian Clark, Jaylen Adams and myself.
“I think we’ve got that this year with Davis, Dech, Harrell, (Isaac) Humphries and Martin.
“I think we’re looking like a team like that. You can stop anyone, but anyone can go off on any given night.
“We’ve just got that good offensive power and if we continue to lock in defensively we can be a very dangerous team.”
The 36ers will play in their indigenous singlets for the NBL’s Indigenous round and Vasiljevic would like to see the specially designed kits worn on a more regularly.
“The jersey is pretty sick, in my opinion,” he said.
“I said in the locker room, I wish we could wear it for away games moving forward because it’s really cool.
“It’s an honour to represent the land, the people and the indigenous culture.”
Adelaide will be determined to beat Cairns on Friday after letting a 12 point lead slip in a loss to the Taipans back in round 2.
36ers guard Sunday Dech expects his side – which has won four of its past five games – to come out firing at home.
“That (last Cairns match) is a game where we definitely look back and kick ourselves,” Dech said.
“There are instances in the game that we want to take back and do over, but we can’t.
“The nature of the game is that we get another crack at them (Cairns).
“We’ve grown since that game and we’re a much better team now.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NBL: Adelaide star Dejan Vasiljevic says rivals can’t stop the 36ers’ ‘offensive firepower’
Phoenix earn second straight win after horror start to NBL25
New Phoenix coach Josh King will walk into an outfit “feeling good” after the Phoenix netted a second win in a row, by taking down the red-hot New Zealand Breakers on their home court.
NBL Late Mail: Hawks star goes down, Kings lose star, Cotton out
Illawarra fans are holding their collective breath after an injury to import guard Trey Kell III. Meanwhile, the Kings’ blockbuster with the Wildcats has copped a double blow with a star from both sides ruled out.