Growth? Is that a typo?

As in improvement.

Breakers played out of their skin in the first half and pretty much everything was coming off for them, Sixers did well to climb back in it.

The performance of Sydney , on Friday was sub NBL standard. I even saw one of their players try to do a floater which was just a lob into the hands of one of the Tigers. For a moment during that performance I thought if the 36ers cain't beat this , then , some should think about retiring from the NBL.

The NBL table has the top 3 spots covered by NZ, Perth and Melbourne, all of whom have no excuse not to be good.

When you consider there is only 1 game between a finals spot and bottom, it's still pretty close. The Sixers should make the most of their chances in the next 3 games, but road wins are the key to snatching a playoff. There has been some positives in the last two games that should continue.

It's crazy to think about the last time the sixers were in the playoffs and even more so the last time they played a playoff game at the Dome! Getting to see any of the NBL finals (semi's, prelim's etc) live here in Adelaide seems like such a distant luxury..

1 game at a time. We can't get ahead of ourselves

Sydney were pathetic in two televised games I've viewed (NZ and Tigers). Their guards looked out of control and unorganised.

Their win against Adelaide was the best I've seen the Kings play since their return to the league and I still cannot understand how the result was so lop-sided in Sydney's favour.

My opinion of the Sixer's performances against Perth and NZ (the latter strongly influenced by Mystro's repeated insistance that Sixers outplayed the Breakers in the 2nd half) is of pride and growing respect and has me on the verge of believing the losses to Perth and Sydney were more timing related than lack of application by the Sixers.

A win by the Sixers on Saturday is a must for so many reasons.

I reckon Daniel Johnson has something to do with the 36ers playing some good ball. Against Perth he was a standout, aside from Greg Hire for Perth who came alive from nowhere!

If Johnson can continue to score and grab the boards and the rest of the team can chip in with the 3-ball (e.g. the Doctor, Weigh) then they could be a major suprise.

The big difference between the start of the season and now is we finally have a settled lineup.
Ballinger is getting back to match fitness.
Simpson is finding his role in the team.
Crosswell has made a big difference since he came back.
Herbert is starting to make some shots.
We don't need Helliwell for big minutes anymore.
Johnson is being used as the go to guy.
Creek seems to have less of a leash and has made his way into the starting 5.
Warren has more protection with more options on the court rather than then being able to double him every time.
Weigh is a similar story to Warren. More offensive threats, so less defensive pressure.

I really can't see us losing to Sydney. We are better than them and as long as we keep Khazzouh and Bruce relatively quiet we shouldn't lose.

The Sixers D looked good when they were aggressive and up on their man making people work to even pass the ball around the top. They just have to limit their fouls early so they aren't digging a hole with key players on the bench in foul trouble

The 36ers have definitely improved, of that there is no question. HOWEVER, while I'm glad we have and I believe we're a better than average chance of toppling Sydney on Saturday night, just remember that most of our 'comeback' against the Breakers was when they were in cruise mode. Once they needed to put a stop to it I noticed it didn't take them long to do so.

The good thing though was that despite everything it would have boosted the players confidence which can only be a good thing.

I notice not so many are bagging Herbert this week. Amazing what landing a last gasp 3 will do for opinions of a guy :P

One question. What's with Grant Chapman's headline of "Wilkinson shines as Breakers thrash 36ers". Did he write that at half time??

Anyone concerned about Simpson's fitness could be pleased to hear that he's lost 4kgs.
One of our players was injured at training today.
I rang The Queen Elizabeth Hospital for more information

Aw , I told Halliwell to slow down a bit at training.

Centrebet are a bit worried about the 36ers have moved them to 5th @ 17.00

The Kings are real bad team with a bad coach and l still cant believe they beat us 2 weeks ago. But we will beat them this time. We will not be the bottom team this year.
Jt