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A few hours ago
NBL 26-What to expect?
With NBL 26 just around the corner, what can we expect in what looks to be a very interesting season ahead?
-Does King Cotton keep an implosion from happening in Adelaide and lead arguably the most talented team to the promised land? Does Mike Wells crumble under all the expectations from ownership, some players egos, fans and media and walk out? Does Harrell and Cheatham splitting time in the frontcourt keep them happy?
-Can Prather continue his late season form from NBL25 into this upcoming one and help Jaylen Adams push Brisbane into the top 6? Or will Brisbane be hit by a mass injury run again and just sit down the bottom again? Can Stu Lash prove himself as a coach? or is he gone before the season finishes?
-Where do Cairns go? Mcveigh signing is HUGE, but he will be expected to carry the bulk of the front court scoring for this team, can he handle that? Does McVeigh being beside him help Waardenburg reassert himself amongst one the leagues brighter young stars? Can the snakes sign a high-end import PG to distribute the ball and hit shots when needed?
-The Hawks have made some interesting signings at the PF and C spot which could really hinder the defense of the title. McGee(king of shaqtin a fool) and Bolden are both certainly capable bigs but Bolden has not lit the NBL on fire since his return to basketball and is now on his third club in as many seasons plus McGee is 37yo and past his best. They still need a topflight PG to help Harvey in the back court, a lot to play out with this team. NBL26 will be very interesting in the 'Gong.
-MU are still in need of an import big, but apart from that and barring big injuries should still be a top 6(at minimum) team. They, as always have a solid bench crew, a deep back court, what should be a solid next star and the always high-level coaching of Vickerman. Can Goulding continue to beat father time and show why he feared amongst all other fan bases?
-New Zealand could be the most interesting team of the lot. PJC is back and is a force in this league, Mennenga is a solid local big who could fill that spot for years to come for NZ, they still need an import 4 man and I'm not sold on Brockington(played in the CEBL and didn't exactly tear it up) or the breakers depth(especially if Le'Afa has another down season). Coach Kop will keep them competitive and new ownership will have their back and not make any silly moves mid-season.
-Perth will need a massively talented PG who can points on the board (ala Cotton) as this is a scorer short of where it needs to be. Does JLA do enough at his age to make them a real contender or will it be a slight let down like his last season in the NBL? Is Windler more consistent this season with a more defined import role and can Pepper carry over his NBL1 form into a higher output at the next level?
-The Phoenix are still in need of an import PG and frontcourt depth but have good back up at the 1-3 spots. Can King keep that same magic he had going last season with the Phoenix defense, or will it wear thin on the likes of Sobey after a couple of losses here and there? Can Jordy Hunter stay out of foul trouble and prove himself to be one the best bigs in the comp? Does Next Star Lewis make the jump into a sure-fire 1st round NBA draft pick, if so, it will have meant good things on court for SEM>
-The Kings are (like Adelaide) arguably the most talented team in the comp while possibly lacking a touch of depth in the back court if someone is injured (although Bul and Galloway can chip in there if needed). Can Delly get through to Kendrick and keep his ego in check while helping him elevate his teammates, giving off some positive body language and leading Sydney to the top? Does Goorj last the season if the record is poor to average the mid ay point, or does Bogut jump in to save the season?
-This could be the Jackies most interesting season in their short history so far. Didn't make finals last season, No Steindl(captain), No Fab (Vice captain) who were there from the start, Lost Doyle (Vice captain) in free agency, let Crawford (team MVP and fan fave) go and lost Jack Fleming who was their lead asst. coach. They now are running with imports at the 1,2 and 3 plus have a new starter at power forward and will be relying on Magnay for leadership (my tip to be their captain). The depth appears to be solid (if Roth can extract everything out of Marshall and Ayre possible), their imports all look to be high end and their big minute frontcourt rotation of Bannan, Deng and Magnay is super imposing and might be the best in the league if they can stay relatively injury free (I know, I know). This might be Roths hardest season yet and I think he will prove again why he is one of the NBL's best coaches come the end of the season.
Top 6 selection (in no order)
-Sydney
-Adelaide
-Tasmania
-Melbourne
-South East Melbourne
-Perth
MVP Top 3
-Kristian Doolittle
-Kendrick Davis
-Jack Mcveigh (if Taipans make top 4 will be hard for voters to vote against Jack as he will be a big reason why)
MVP Dark Horse
-Tyrell Harrison
DPOY Top 3
-Will Magnay
-Kristian Doolittle
-Shea Ili
Coach of the year Top 3
-Josh King
-John Rille
-Scott Roth
