I'll transfer my thoughts about the likely Melb v Adelaide GF from the Game 1 thread...

I've been saying it all year and I won't change my tune... Adelaide isn't as impressive as they look. They just dominate matchups.

In my opinion, the only team with an offence well balanced enough -- and frugal enough -- to slow Adelaide is Melbourne. United has an offence so balanced that they can't really be taken out of what they want to do. They'll score on you from almost any angle, so if they want to slow Adelaide they'll gear their offence to do so.

Once it gets to half-court, it's Adelaide on the ropes. All they get in the half-court is Johnson post-ups, basket cuts and offensive rebounds. Melbourne is super adept at covering cuts and cleaning the defensive glass, and their defence is underpinned by loading (from what I've seen when I've actually paid attention) so there will be help for Johnson's man.

Plus, Melbourne did a good job of hawking the NZ defensive rebounders to slow the outlet pass. In saying that, obviously Adelaide have the likes of Creek, Sobey, Childress who can rebound and run the break.

Shaping up as a fun grand final series. But one that should be played at a slower pace.

Perth is just playing lazy

Why were Perth trying to play at a furious pace?

Perth are BUILT as a defense first, half court grinding team. They are built to win games in the low 80s, high 70s.

Perth are 12-2 when they score 85 or better and 4-11 when they don't.

So they can't score then.

So LUUC Perth are built to get into a game of run and gun?

They dont have no where near the offensive firepower as the Melbourne and Adelaide

Perth's two wins over Adelaide they've scored 88 and 111, so they can certainly beat the 36ers in a quicker game.

However they were both in Perth, I don't think they can do that in Adelaide, so if they get to G3 I think they're going to need a different approach.

I'd agree with that and going by what Gleeson was saying in the press conference after the game about lack of desire I'm not sure too much tactically will be changed.

It was one of Joey's first preseason training sessions
when he first started here in Adelaide.
Gibson stood still for a few seconds. dribbling .. looking around..
" Don't stop. " Joey yelled .
" Look " he said to the group. " Some of you are stressed out going at this pace , but doing it everyday , you'll get used to it. "

I've been saying it all year and I won't change my tune... Adelaide isn't as impressive as they look. They just dominate matchups.

The Wildcats just need to play 'Wildcats basketball'. In every game they've lost this season, and for the past 10 years it's been because they haven't played 'Wildcats basketball'. Just need to go back to playing 'Wildcats basketball', it's the only way.

"Is that all of it though?"

To me, the biggest differences in this Adelaide team to those of the last 10 years or so, are defence and confidence.

As a long time 36ers follower, I've been amazed at their defensive intensity and the fact that they never drop their heads. Some folks look at the high scores and don't realise just how good they've been defensively, as a team. Childress, Sobey and Creek are at the core of that.

That said, I agree that Melbourne have the best chance of beating the Sixers in these finals. Those two teams have the two best player groups left and both coaches have their players 100% on board. They both play attractive basketball, so a final series featuring them would be a treat for NBL fans.