Studs and Duds: Round 14

At the conclusion of each round, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria lets us know who made the grade and who deserves a little shade.

STUDS

 

Indigenous Round

With the  first half of this season’s Indigenous Round in the books, well done to everyone involved on making a great start. 

Over the course of Rounds 14 and 15, the entire NBL – all the clubs, players, coaches and fans – are focused on recognising, acknowledging and celebrating Indigenous culture and basketball across Australia and New Zealand.

A big part of those celebrations, of course, are the spectacular jerseys teams are wearing. Each individually designed by talented Indigenous artists, they really are incredible works of art. 

As I’ve written in this column previously, it would be great to see an element of these designs incorporated into the team’s regular home and away jerseys in future years. My colleague, Peter Hooley, echoed this suggestion over the weekend and, as I’ve said previously, I think it’s something each team should strongly consider.

It’s not without precedent, either, as the New Zealand Breakers have been ahead of this curve for years and, this season, the Perth Wildcats became the first Aussie club to follow suit. Perhaps in the future more clubs – maybe even all clubs – will do the same. 

Illawarra Hawks

That was a big-time win by the Hawks.

Down double-digits late in the third … up against a top-two team on the road… with your coach saying “we’re playing for our lives”… man, that was a gutsy performance.

It was the first time this season the Hawks have beaten one of the current top three teams, which is significant because, as Goorj has been saying, they’re going to need to beat some of these squads down the stretch if they’re going to make the finals.

In this one, the entire team defended at an increased level and, when the chips were down, their first-year imports stepped up. Xavier Rathan-Mayes was influential with an NBL career-high 19 points and Antonius Cleveland repeated what he did last week against Adelaide, turning the game with his energy midway through the second half.

“We’ve come out of a home stretch where we didn’t get done what we needed to get done,” Goorjian explained.

“And now the pressure is on us for the rest of the year, and we’ve got a lot of the top teams on the road. 

“This was the start of it, and everybody understood the significance of the game so to win, and to win the way did, was really important.”

Melbourne United

Speaking of winning, that’s what these guys tend to do week after week.

This week’s victory over Brisbane secured a fifth W in a row for the defending champs as they strengthen their grip on top spot. Thursday’s clash with Perth will be a blockbuster.

Xavier Cooks (Sydney Kings) 

With multi-skilled forward Xavier Cooks leading the way, the Kings got the job done against a plucky Taipans squad.

Cooks was a dominant force in this one, stuffing the stat-sheet with 23 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocked shots. In the process, he became the first player this season to register ten double-doubles.

“I thought offensively tonight he was really, really good… a bunch of times we just gave it to ‘X’ and everybody got the heck out of the way,” Kings coach Chase Buford said.

“He was excellent again. Just as he has been the game before and the game before that.”

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">X has been COOKIN&#39; in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <br><br>The stat sheet stuffer chalked up his 10th double-double of the season in the <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SydneyKings</a>&#39; win over the Snakes in Round 14<br><br>By the Numbers powered by <a href="https://twitter.com/LaTrobeFin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaTrobeFin</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/ES3Macx5mZ">pic.twitter.com/ES3Macx5mZ</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1500995804542431233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Bryce Cotton, Vic Law & Todd Blanchfield (Perth Wildcats)

If we’re talking about consistent excellence, that’s usually when Bryce Cotton enters the conversation. 

The MVP was his usual brilliant self this week as he, Vic Law and Todd Blanchfield combined for 71 of Perth’s 92 points in their win over Adelaide.

Each of those studs produced a double-digit scoring effort in a single quarter, as the Wildcats overcame a poor result on the glass (sound familiar?) through otherwise sound defence and terrific offensive execution.

Marvin Gaye said it best with what helped to relieve his mind and, all-in all, there was a definite spring in Perth’s step after a quick trip home last week. These guys are so great, I can’t wait for them to operate back at RAC Arena.

Mikyle McIntosh (Tasmania JackJumpers)

Isn’t it cool to see McIntosh doing his thing?!

This is a guy that’s been under intense pressure for most of the season but over the past few weeks has really found his groove.

It began back in Round 10 when his 16 points helped Tassie knock off United. He followed that with a couple of quiet ones, however McIntosh has been terrific over his past three; putting 21 on Brisbane, 15 on Perth and then scoring a game-high 21 points this week in a win over NZ – all at a combined 64 percent from the field.

The key has been the JackJumpers finding ‘Big Mac’ in his sweet spots – off short rolls and on the elbows – as well as an aggressive approach from the fourth-year pro.

From McIntosh’s perspective, however, the credit belongs to head coach Scott Roth, who decided against replacing him earlier in the year.

“I thank coach for believing in me and sticking beside me,” McIntosh said.

“I told him ’If you let me have a chance it will pay of for all of us’. It was all on coach to allow me to still play and still be here, so thank you to him.”

Next Stars

It was a big week for the league’s Next Stars in Round 14 as a number of this year’s NBA Draft prospects showcased their talents.

Ousmane Dieng is going to play big minutes for the Breakers the rest of the way and he made the most this week, producing back-to-back 17-point performances. 

Ariel Hukporti was excellent for United as he scored 14 off the bench – his fourth straight game in double-figures – while Tom Digbeu (Brisbane) did some very nice things in his extended run against Melbourne. 

Shout-out also to Hawks guard Justinian Jessup. The 2020 draft pick was big time down the stretch against South East Melbourne as he notched up his third straight game with 15 or more points.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NBL Next Stars were shining bright on the weekend ?<br><br>With NBA Scouts on our shores and in the house, these guys stepped their game ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/kSN1T9Bckc">pic.twitter.com/kSN1T9Bckc</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1500636253053947904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jason Cadee (Brisbane Bullets)

Cadee will get more of a mention in a minute but, for right now, let’s focus on how well this dude is playing. With his great mate Nathan Sobey on the sidelines, Cadee has stepped up his production over the past four games. 

As usual, it’s been his playmaking and perimeter shooting that have been the secrets to Cadee’s success. However, it’s also been his leadership and his ability to sense the moment that have impressed, as the basketball-lifer further flashes his credentials as a future head coach.

Last week Cadee produced back-to-back double-digit scoring games, while this week he averaged 20 points and 7 dimes across Brisbane’s double, on 70 percent shooting, including 7-of-10 from long range.

“His IQ is off the charts,” Bullets coach James Duncan noted.

“He has a complete understanding of the game, and he understands how important he is for our group. He’s playing both sides of the ball, which is really impressive and he’s just leading.

“It’s great to see him in this kind of rhythm right now.”

Scott Machado & Stephen Zimmerman (Cairns Taipans)

The Snakes went down to Sydney this week but they deserve some props for competing at a high level.

Especially their two active imports, Machado and Zimmerman, who led the way in the absence of Tahjere McCall. ‘Big Zimm’ was terrific as he produced a big double-double (16 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists) while Machado is officially back, scoring a game-high 26 and dropping 8 dimes.

Fleur McIntyre (Sydney Kings)

In celebration of International Women’s Day, let’s show some love for McIntyre as she flies the flag for all the women currently doing great things across the NBL. 

The Kings’ assistant is the only female currently working as part of an NBL coaching staff but there are plenty of others playing key roles within front offices and high-performance teams across the league. To all of you: keep kicking arse and leading by example.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today we celebrate <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IWD2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IWD2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BreakTheBias?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BreakTheBias</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Liam_Santa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Liam_Santa</a> talks to our lead assistant coach Fleur McIntyre about being the fifth female in <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> coaching ranks in The Huddle podcast. We are lucky to have a great leader in Fleur <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheKings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheKings</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <br>Listen here: <a href="https://t.co/AcJI6WFUkb">https://t.co/AcJI6WFUkb</a> <a href="https://t.co/YXjGgmdqLq">pic.twitter.com/YXjGgmdqLq</a></p>&mdash; Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings/status/1500944439006875648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

DUDS

 

Adelaide 36ers

The 36ers battled hard against both SEM and Perth this week but wound up dropping both games to extend their losing streak to four.

The absence of head coach CJ Bruton wasn’t helpful, nor was the illness that limited Cam Bairstow, but the Sixers did what they could to battle through those issues. Unfortunately, Mitch Creek (aka the Ghost of Sixers Past) and the Phoenix were too strong on Friday and they just couldn’t throw a pea in the ocean on Sunday afternoon.

In fact, the 36ers shot a miserable 30 percent from the field against Perth, as they connected on just 26 of their mammoth 85 field goal attempts. That included a woeful 7-from-39 from three-point territory with Sunday Dech, Mitch McCarron, Dusty Hannahs, Tad Dufelmeier Jnr and Mojave King combining for 2-for-21 from long range. 

“I felt like we had enough good looks,” stand-in coach Jamie Pearlman said.

“If a couple of finishes around the basket had of gone in and if we’d made a couple more threes we could’ve stayed a bit closer.”

The possible addition of Casper Ware is an interesting development for this squad. The three-time All-NBL First Team selection has been killing it in Russia this season, averaging 16 points per game on very good percentages.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Could we have a ? sighting in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> soon?<br><br>It appears one of our faves, Casper Ware, has been chatting to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Adelaide36ers</a> ?<br><br>via <a href="https://twitter.com/KanePitman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KanePitman</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNAusNZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/tVHqvbR8Q1">pic.twitter.com/tVHqvbR8Q1</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1501002229142417409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

New Zealand Breakers

The Breakers have to land in the duds, unfortunately, as they also lost back-to back games to extend their losing streak to four.

I tell you what, though: I’m not going to stick the boots in. I mean, it was always going to be tough without Yanni Wetzell and the absence of several other key pieces left the Kiwis extra short-handed.

They’re also continuing to battle through the much-discussed challenges of a second-straight season away from home. In fact, let’s bring Cadee back in here, as he spoke brilliantly about the Breakers postgame yesterday.

If you haven’t watched this clip yet, click play and listen as Cadee speaks for the entire NBL community.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jason Cadee ? <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZBreakers</a> <br><br>Some quality words from JC who gives his thoughts to the Breakers and what they are going through ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/r756PUUUBF">pic.twitter.com/r756PUUUBF</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1500785466315980805?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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