The problems of stale offence were the reasons for those posts. We simply couldn't put the ball in the hole, and didn't have a pecking order which I blame on the Michael Cedar as captain debacle.
Now it's clear: Crawford is the top dog, and everyone else gets in line. That's how a basketball team needs to operate to be succesful: with a heirachy.
With Mims now contributing on that end (he hasn't been an offensive factor since the preseason, up until the last 2 games), and Holmes slipping into his more comfortable role of a complimentary scorer, PC & Cedar attacking the rim rather than floating out on the perimeter, and now Big Red back, the offence is looking a lot more balanced and well-spread. Gill can now run an offence rather than CREATE an offence out of nothing. Chris Cedar is looking promising as a rookie back-up PG who is a terrier on D and great in the open floor.
I think it took them half a season to shake off Gleeson's stagant offensive habits (big men on the perimeter, no penetration, all offense from 3 pointers, being stubborn and not catering an offense to his personnel).
Still, the true test is if they can carry this form into the away games, where everyone and his dog knows the Crocs have struggled in the past.
But yeah I stand by my assessmnent that the only teams in their way are Perth & especially NZ. Cairns have heart, hustle, and a damn good coach who consistently puts overachieving teams on the floor, but they just don't have the cattle this year IMO.
In Gill, Schensch, Mims, M. Cedar, Crawford, Blanchfield & Holmes, you have 7 or so guys who can explode for 20+ ppg on any given night. Not many teams can say the same.
Still NZ is a hell of a ballclub, and Perth are tough when their D is in sync and they're getting away with their trademark slapping fouls in the backcourt.