Cheatham: 36ers just getting started

The revamped Adelaide 36ers made their long-awaited Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season debut on Sunday and took care of business by defeating Brisbane.

While star recruit Zylan Cheatham, who had 8 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists on Sunday, was happy with the seven-point win at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, he knows the team still has plenty more potential.

“I don't even think we're scratching the surface, to be honest,” US import Cheatham said during the 36ers' media availability on Tuesday.

“I mean that was really our first outing other than Panathinaikos. 

“We’ve had a couple of workouts, but we haven't really had a chance to really get all the guys on the floor, so for us to play that well and execute enough to get a win is credit to us, for sure.”

Cheatham and his Sixers will look to continue their upwards progression when they travel to Cairns to battle the 2-1 Taipans, fresh off impressive Round 2 wins over Brisbane and Sydney, on Thursday night.

“That [moving to 2-0] is obviously the goal,” the Phoenix-born forward said.

“But, I mean, I'm just focussed on the day to day.

“We got a good practice today [Tuesday], had a good workout, and I got a good lift in (the gym), and that's pretty much all I can control.”

But NBL expert Derek Rucker has warned Mike Wells' team must quickly adapt to the addition of Bryce Cotton as their floor general, if they're to be in the mix at the pointy end of the season.

"Zylan Cheatham worked it out pretty quickly, and it feels like Bryce Cotton is going to make Isaac Humphries the player they want him to be, but it feel like the adjustment is going to be on the wings,” Rucker said.

"The toughest adjustment is going to be DJ Vasiljevic, who wasn't great in their game against Brisbane.

"He had a tough time finding touches, but he's a smart enough player to adapt.

"When you bring Bryce Cotton into your program, it is not a corporate partnership; he is the owner, and everyone else is an employee.

"That's the way it's going down, and everyone else needs to fall in line quickly."

The 36ers' next test tips off at 7.30pm AEST on Thursday, live on ESPN.