Scott Roth rejects talk JackJumpers must take the next step

Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has played down talk from NBA legend Scottie Pippen that his side is due to win an NBL championship. Here’s what he said.

Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images for NBL)

Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has rejected claims from NBA legend Scottie Pippen that his team is “due for a championship”.

During his visit to Hobart last week, the six-time champion with Chicago said he had been impressed with the NBL franchise’s success so far.

But he claimed “they can’t continue to go there and not gain the experience and knowledge”.

When asked about Pippen saying his team must take the next step ahead of the play-in clash with Illawarra, Roth put his own spin on the JackJumpers run.

Since their inception, the Jackies have qualified for the finals every year.

“I personally don’t feel like that, I don’t think our guys necessarily think that,” he said.

“Other than the fact each season is different. This is not the NBA, this is the NBL.

“The make-up of the teams and how things are happening are quite different. Our guys know what’s in front of them.

“We have guys that are back, going into their second and third year with us. Of course they want to take the next step.

“They don’t just come back to put up numbers. Why we wanted Milt back was to build a championship team around him.”

If the JackJumpers are to defeat the Hawks on Wednesday night, they’ll earn a place in a play-off series against the Perth Wildcats.

Illawarra claimed victory in their last meeting in a double overtime thriller.

Roth believes there are several keys to victory.

Scottie Pippen. Ex-NBA stars Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant and Luc Longley arrive in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“They to me are the hottest team coming into this tournament,” he said.

“It all comes down to discipline, the fundamentals, staying within the process.

“As I’ve always told my guys, no one needs to be great, just be solid about what we do.

“Stay away from some of the demons we’ve had in the past, stay disciplined, just move from there.”

The JackJumpers finished the home-and-away season as one of the league’s best defensive teams once again.

Roth credited Will Magnay’s impact as one of the reasons behind an improved run in the new year.

“Obviously the impact of Magnay being back in was quite helpful these last two months,” he said.

“But I think we also tidied up some of the things we were struggling with.

“I’ve said from the first day I got here, you need to finish in the top-four defensively to give yourselves the best chance to get to the finals.”

Wednesday’s game will get underway at 5.30pm.