Written off to one win away: Experts praise Adelaide’s revival

From early-season frontrunners to searching for answers, the Adelaide 36ers dropped five of seven games across a four-week stretch from early January to early February.

Their star-studded roster had seemingly lost its edge, and suddenly Sydney, South East Melbourne and even the Perth Wildcats surged past them.

A 24-year Championship drought looked set to roll on.

But the 36ers have found a way. They may not have fully recaptured their early-season form, but the reality is there for all to see - Mike Wells’ team is now one win away from a title.

From where they were in early February, it's been quite the turnaround.

“I had strong, strong doubts around Adelaide and this goes back to the regular season and we were all looking at them and were there for the Ignite Cup … (even) mid-season,” Peter Hooley said on NBL Now's Roundtable.

“Everything they did well to get to top spot they went away from. Bryce was terrific, he won his MVP, but they just lost their identity in so many different ways and I didn’t think they’d be able to get it back.

“Granted I don’t think they’ve completely got it back, but I had my doubts that they could make this Series competitive, especially after Game 1.”

Hooley said the 36ers and coach Wells deserved enormous credit for the turnaround, after many had written them off.

“Their resilience has been something special,” he continued.

“That starts with Bryce Cotton, but their resilience to come back from a 44-point deficit, and each game at home where Sydney have looked in control and then to continue to take punches in the face and stand back up, it’s been bloody impressive.

“It starts with Bryce Cotton, because that man’s been beaten up, he’s been knocked down and he just gets back up, every single time, and that lifts your team.

“Right now, we have a Game 5 because of it.”

Former NBL MVP Derek Rucker echoed those sentiments, admitting he never expected Adelaide to push the Series this far.

“I said coming into the Series, if it went four games it was a success for Adelaide,” he said.

“I never really thought we’d get to Game 5.”

Rucker believes Cotton could be the difference in the decider, particularly after being limited in Adelaide’s two games in Sydney.

“The fact that they (Adelaide) haven’t really shown any dominance in the Series, but yet still have a chance to win, that’s a dangerous position for the Sydney Kings,” he said.

“Bryce still hasn’t had that game where he’s going bang.

“The two games in Sydney he’s only 14 shots a game. He’s been more aggressive at home in Adelaide, but he needs to reverse that trend now and get busy early in Sydney on Sunday afternoon.”

Sydney hosts Adelaide in Game 5 on Sunday at 2:30pm AEST, live on ESPN and 10.