36ers’ scoring struggles puts import in spotlight

Two NBL greats have singled out the player Adelaide needs more from as the 36ers look to get back on the winners’ list against the New Zealand Breakers in Auckland on Friday night.

For Derek Rucker, the answer lies with the 36ers’ sharpshooting import.

“I think they’ve got to get John Jenkins going, and he’s been up and down this season,” Rucker said on NBL Roundtable.

“They need to somehow, either through rotations or the starting lineup, find a way to get composure into him.”

The sharpshooting import has just one game over 13 points so far this season, and with head coach Trevor Gleeson conceding the team’s depth is a concern, Rucker wants more from the veteran.

“Right now, when he’s coming off the bench, everything is just fire, fire, fire,” he added.

“I’d like to see him play basketball more, as opposed to just being a designated shooter.

“He’s almost a netball scorer… that’s all he’s focused on.”

Three-time Olympian Brad Newley agreed Jenkins needs to lift, but believes it may be easier said than done.

“I just don’t think that’s his game,” he said.

“I think he’s a spot-up shooter; that’s how he plays.”

The 36ers are still awaiting the return of young star guard Flynn Cameron, who injured his ankle in the season opener, while Bul Kuol continues his recovery from an ACL injury.

Newley suggested Adelaide might need to look further afield for a solution.

“I think Adelaide may need to look down the line of getting a guy who is dynamic… not just an outside three-point shooter,” he said.

“Someone who gets to the basketball and makes some plays… that might be what they need to look at.”

Adelaide has struggled for points throughout the opening weeks of NBL27 and has the lowest scoring average in the League. The Breakers have also been tough to crack at Spark Arena, where they are unbeaten this season.

New Zealand already has one win over the 36ers this month, a comfortable victory in Adelaide.

Tip-off is at 5:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.