Damn it, I still believe. Go Sixers!

Meech needs to be the man.

Nice write up as always, Jack.

With the addition of Turner to replace poopoo Pineau and Wearishegoing, the Kings should win this by 10. However if Turner does not step up to NBL level, the Kings will regret not replacing Wear with Conger some 2 months ago.

First home game I'm going to miss this season which sucks. The way we've been playing lately I wouldn't be shocked with a loss, but with the way Adelaide defend we shouldn't have to suffer through the kind of scoring droughts we have been either.

DJ is the x-factor I think. Killed the Kings in the first two meetings, and we don't have a real good matchup for him.

"And the winner is Sydeney"

Bad missed foul call on Doyle.

JVG interviewed at 1/4 time.

Wow, Wiley just posterised Bogut.. first time it has been done to him in this league. Sydney has trouble with Adelaide's game style

Kings having trouble with just about every style lately. We look poor on both ends tonight, from the opening tip.

Can Wear and a Kickert coexist?

They both started badly. Wear contributing a bit now, Kickert looks worse imho.

Kickert has faded big time since around the FIBA break I'd say.

Wiley 17pts at HT.

Adelaide are building at the right time. Finals are in the air. Sixers may just have got the timing of building confidence game plan perfectly timed as stepping stone. Too hard to be up all season. Important to do so pointy end. Get sense Perth Melbourne kings are fading. Brisbane also upward trend.

All that commotion.

Kings fans respond with total apathy.

Now they care after bad call on Lisch

Not sure what's more ordinary, the Kings effort, or the refereeing.

Some great refereeing once again. Good stuff.

Kings' first signs of crumbling.

lol... phantom travel call. At least the refereeing is woeful both ways.

Turner showing he can accumulate fouls faster than jervis!!!!

I think Sydney have had the worst of the dodgy calls.

Sydney have had the lion's share of bad calls I'd agree. Not why we are losing though. Shocking effort this one. Deserve to get blown out in the 4th Q.

And Bogut fouls out. 40 point loss is possible.

Sixers would love getting Kings in a semi final series.

Bogut fouled out. Blowout on the horizon. Or 36ers to play bench even more.

Gaze is off contract. That's the most important one.

Has Gaze given up on Turner already?

The thought of the Cats not making the top 4 because we lose this game has made me feel a little bit better, thanks anon.

At least we get some Wilson minutes.

Did Johnson wipe blood on Kickert?? That would be disgusting.

He sure did. Abhorrent by DJ.

If we just judged the second half of the season, could Froling win both ROTY and 6th man awards???

Sorry Sixers, but I hope Froling signs with Perth so I get a new super villain to cheer against, because it's been awhile since Redhage suited up and no one else has really made the cut yet.

Anon316

I am not in business with Heal. (I still have some money and common sense).

Does Heal pick his own interviewees?

That was a quality beatdown.

Probably. He's such a narcissist.

(Heal)

Come on now it was clearly Kickert's own blood.

Nice to give the big money pretty boys a smashing on their own court. We're 3-1 against the Kings this season if we make the playoffs they will do everything they can to avoid playing a series against us. I said before the season DJ would be a tough match up for Bogut.

Remmeeber it's the way it shatters that matters.

Froling is under contract next season.

Yeah, Froling is out of the NBL soon and hopefully changes agents.

It's the way it crumbles then fumbles.

As much as Drmic is a wanker I think Adelaide have what it takes to win the chip.

Adelaide 7-2 over the last 9 games and appear to be settling with Conger in the line up for a while and improved intensity, rebounding and bench production. Aside from an awesome 4th quarter by Brisbane turning a 9 point deficit into a solid road win, Adelaide appear to have each team's measure building at the right time of season. 3 last shot losses have them fighting to be in the top 4. Ball bounces differently on those and Adelaide are top at 15-7. Pretty impressive with the key players gone from last season’s team and a few rookies coming in and really contributing. Wonder if people are still questioning Doyle’s signing now as 9/10th man? He’s been very solid if not very good in the regular, occasional minutes Joey uses him for.

Agree championship is clearly on radar.

Bogut fouled out but they also let a lot of his fouls slide. Probably getting away with more since his dummy spit earlier in the season.

"Adelaide 7-2 over the last 9 games and appear to be settling with Conger in the line up for a while and improved intensity, rebounding and bench production. Aside from an awesome 4th quarter by Brisbane turning a 9 point deficit into a solid road win, Adelaide appear to have each team's measure building at the right time of season. 3 last shot losses have them fighting to be in the top 4. Ball bounces differently on those and Adelaide are top at 15-7. Pretty impressive with the key players gone from last season's team and a few rookies coming in and really contributing. Wonder if people are still questioning Doyle’s signing now as 9/10th man? He’s been very solid if not very good in the regular, occasional minutes Joey uses him for."

Great post there Cavolo! It does put the Brisbane game into perspective - though I am still spitting chips that we lost that by going away from what worked in the first three quarters!

"Froling is under contract next season."

Zodiac, you're usually pretty good with who is signed. Do we currently have DJ, Drmic, Froling and McVeigh signed for next season? Is there anyone else? Maybe Deng or Doyle?

Send is contracted. Thought Doyle was too. Group needs to stay together and bring success. Experience is beginning to show. Kings are woeful. But we all known that. Collywobbles kingswobbles. Tarred same brush. Both crumblers.

Jack McVeigh has provided very useful energy to the team and made Moore's loss less damaging.

Great to see him making the most of the opportunity given the things said by some of his knockers. I hope he can keep it up. I believe he is also contracted for next season.

Probably the best I've seen the Sixers play from start to finish this season. There's every reason to be extremely positive about Froling. His skill set is impressive and expansive. What other big guys in the NBL can pull up on the break and nail a three like he did at the end of the first quarter? And he runs the floor brilliantly for a big man. So many things to like. Wiley's first half also deserves a mention. From his very first touch he looked the goods tonight.

It's a shame the Sixers lost 2 buzzer beaters at home to Brisbane and Illawarra and then had the 4th qtr fade out against Brisbane but they have made up for it with a number of impressive road wins.

The Wildcats will be fired up and looking for revenge Friday so looking forward to watching the Sixers in person to see how they handle it.

Impresive game by the Sixers. Every player came on, seemed to know their role and contributed. Doyle has been giving some excellent minutes all season and McVeigh has done extremely well in the last couple of games when he has got an opportunity and has made a serious argument for more minutes. Froling continues to impress and as others said probably will be heading to the nba in the future. One of the great things about the Joey Wright era at the Sixers has been the recruitment and development of great young talent. Each year we seem to get some great young players who have a ton of confidence and are ready to produce. It has been an aspect that has been very satisfying to watch over the last few years.

I do struggle with what to make of Wiley. I haven't been sold on him all season as he seems to make a lot of mistakes defensively, has an unreliable jump shot and doesn’t have great hands. Yet he has had a few games where he has just come out and dominated like today where he really got the Sixers going.

I must say I have become a huge Sobey fan this season. He seems to cop a bit of flack on this Forum but he has been the Sixers most consistent player both offensively and defensively this year. Defensively in particular, he impresses week after week and is almost always guarding the oppositions best perimeter player. A few things I would be interested to hear others thoughts on are:
1. Is there any Australian guard you would take ahead of Sobey in the league right now? (I think the only one close is Goulding but currently I would still take Sobey)
2. Is Sobey the best Australian guard the Sixers have had since Brett Maher? (I think yes, the only one close for me is Gibson but I think Sobey’s year this year has been better than any one of Gibson’s for the Sixers)

Zodiac, you're usually pretty good with who is signed. Do we currently have DJ, Drmic, Froling and McVeigh signed for next season? Is there anyone else? Maybe Deng or Doyle?

Forgot Ramone Moore under contract too.

Interesting question Uncle Phil. The thing I like about Sobey this season is he's developed more dimensions to his offensive game. He can now score in so many ways. He was always good on the fast break but he's added a lot to his arsenal. Combine that with the fact that he's had to carry the ball a lot more this season without a recognised point guard and never takes a break on defense. He's putting together a seriously good season.


Are there any other guards you'd take ahead of Sobey this season? The only 2 that come to mind are Gliddon and Goudling. Both shoot the three better than Sobey but for mine Sobey just does more on the court and is more dynamic. He passes and rebounds better than both of these guys despite being smaller and I'd take his defence over both of these guys too. It is a close call between Gliddon and Sobey especially the way Gliddon is shooting this season. 44% FG%, 42% 3pg% and 94% FT% is very impressive. He has more poise than Sobey but can also be a little passive at times. The same could not be said of
Sobey.


Is he the best Sixer guard since Maher? I think so too. I'd take him over Gibo as his skillset is a lot bigger.

Full credit to Joey - you'd have to say the Sixers have had the best contingent of Aussie talent over the last few seasons with the evergreen DJ, Creek, Sobey, Hodgson, Drmic Deng and now Froling.

Probably Joey's best claim to be a good players coach is the maturity, self cpontrol and mental consistency that DJ and Sobey seem to have finally achieved. I can't think at the moment of any other confirmed (IMHO) NBL "head cases" that have actually left the that "players club membership" while still playing NBL, and even more so - have actually gotten better as players.

If Joey didn't pick up Sobey when he did I wonder what he would be doing right now? Hodgeson was an injury prone discard too when he brought him on board.

There are 4 problems with the Kings: First is balance- Gaze season 1 - no 1 and no 5. Gaze season 2 - no 5. Gaze season 3 - no 4. Second is rebounds - every team are going to miss shots. You need to get rebounds and second chance shots. This is partly due to their last problem. Thirdly Bogut is not as good as his mates/commentators make out that is the MVP centre- he is too slow to defend the perimeter, and thus looks ordinary against anyone who can shoot the 8 footer - DJ, Wiley, Froling, Angus Beef, and Conklin. Don't have to be a genius coach- 8 footer or fake and drive. Lastly lack of athleticism - I'm sure all the Kings players are trying their hardest and the desire is there, but they are just too old and/or not athletic enough. How can you out-rebound a team who have 10 out of 11 players who consistently dunk and play above the ring - whilst on the Kings only Bogut and Deng Deng.

There are 4 problems with the Kings: First is balance- Gaze season 1 - no 1 and no 5. Gaze season 2 - no 5. Gaze season 3 - no 4. Second is rebounds - every team are going to miss shots. You need to get rebounds and second chance shots. If the Kings offence (which is run by GAZE) is the shuffle, then to sit all your players around the 3 point line - how are they going to rebounds with no one in the paint? The lack of rebounding is also due to their last problem. Thirdly Bogut is not as good as his mates/commentators make out that is the MVP centre- he is too slow to defend the perimeter, and thus looks ordinary against anyone who can shoot the 8 footer - DJ, Wiley, Froling, Angus Beef, and Conklin. Don't have to be a genius coach- 8 footer or fake and drive. Lastly lack of athleticism - I'm sure all the Kings players are trying their hardest and the desire is there, but they are just too old and/or not athletic enough. How can you out-rebound a team who have 10 out of 11 players who consistently dunk and play above the ring - whilst on the Kings only Bogut and Deng Deng.

Someone needs to call the police! There's been murder on the boards!

Majok Deng the only Sixer shot jacking and failing to shoot over 50%.

Sydney - not kings - jokers. And its a losing hand.

Someone needs to call the police! There's been murder on the boards!

Test

How many of the 7 remaining games do the Kings need to win to make the playoffs?

"Gaze season 1 - no 1 and no 5. Gaze season 2 - no 5. Gaze season 3 - no 4."

Who's the common denominator there? That's your problem

^Very Old +1

Sobey's emergent maturity over this has been a revelation. I think he's playing better than his breakout season.

PS - yesterday was the best performance I've seen from the 36ers this season, gamewise. Focused and consistent, both ends of the court, from go to whoa. Extraordinary performance.

After that performance, I've revised my view of whether they can tip Perth out of the playoffs. I now think the balance slightly favours the 36ers.

They'll just keep spending until they buy a title. The league will get it done at some stage like they did with United last year.

"Daniel Johnson of the Adelaide 36ers has been fined $500 for unsportsmanlike behaviour following an incident in last Saturday's game against the Sydney Kings."

Link

Daniel Johnson of the Adelaide 36ers has been fined $500 for unsportsmanlike behaviour following an incident in last Saturday's game against the Sydney Kings

Kickert was being a massive tool the whole game and it was Kickerts blood. However, it wasn't a great look.