Studs and Duds: Round 5

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

After another round that featured only two games, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria lets us know who made the grade and who deserves a little shade.

After another round that featured only two games, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria lets us know who made the grade and who deserves a little shade.

STUDS

Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats)

In a world as unpredictable as ours right now, it’s nice to have something – or someone – you can rely on. Someone who will always deliver.

Bryce Cotton is that man.

Kept scoreless in the opening term on New Year’s Eve, Cotton spent the next two quarters lighting up Cairns better than any fireworks display.

It really was something to behold, as the three-time MVP poured in 19 points in the second period via a barrage of tough, contested looks.

His first bucket came off a beautiful lead pass from Kevin White and he quickly followed that with a NASTY step-back that completely shook Kouat Noi. From there Cotton turned the game into something of a personal showcase as he notched up a couple of NBL records, including his equal highest score in a single quarter and the highest scoring quarter ever by a visiting player at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Of course, he wasn’t done there. Cotton kept the good times rolling as he poured in another 10 points in the third to reach his game-high tally of 29.

He’s just a magnificent athlete. A hyper-competitive assassin who, no matter how well you delay the inevitable, will eventually cut your throat.

Majok Deng (Cairns Taipans)

Led by a career night from this man, the Taipans gave the ‘Cats everything they could handle on New Year’s Eve.

Deng brought the energy for the home side as his activity on both ends fired the Snakes to an early 18-point lead.

Unfortunately for Cairns fans, Cotton happened… but it shouldn’t go unnoticed how terrific Deng was for the second week in a row. Scoring a career-high 27, the in-form forward shot over 60 percent from the field while also grabbing 7 boards, swiping 4 steals and blocking 2 shots.

“Majok’s confidence is high,” Cairns coach Adam Forde said.

“With all the players that we’ve got out the opportunity is there for him and he’s grasping it with both hands.”

Bul Kuol (Cairns Taipans)

Another Taipan taking his chances is Kuol, who has impressed in extended minutes over the past couple of games.

The rookie made life difficult for Mitch McCarron back in Round 3 and then took on the toughest job in the league this week when he was placed on You Know Who.

I know, I know… Bryce went for 29… but anyone who watched that game will agree that Kuol actually played him tough.

Running the point in the absence of both Scott Machado and Tahjere McCall, Kuol toiled tirelessly at both ends, finishing with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.

This young man has plenty of upside.

Luke Travers (Perth Wildcats)

Speaking of upside, the impressive versatility of Luke Travers was on display again this week as he produced a typical stat-sheet stuffing performance.

It wasn’t quite the 5x5 game I remain hopeful of, but Travers made his presence felt with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 4 blocks.

The stroke needs work and his handle needs tightening, but Travers already has that unique ability to impact the game in a multitude of ways.

Melbourne United

United were thoroughly tested down in Tassie, but they ended up passing the exam to claim their fourth straight win.

It wasn’t particularly pretty (22 turnovers is the most ever by a United team under Dean Vickerman) but Melbourne’s defence stood tall when it mattered most as they restricted the JackJumpers to just 7 fourth-quarter points.

Winning any game on the road is difficult in this league but Melbourne are elite and, especially with Tassie missing their starting centre, this was a game United really should have won. To be honest, I only put these guys in here because I wanted to give some love to….

Tasmania JackJumpers

Puerto Rican philosopher Gloria Clemente once said: “Sometimes when you win, you really lose. And sometimes when you lose, you really win. And sometimes when you win or lose, you actually tie. And sometimes when you tie, you actually win or lose”

Now, I’m not going to say that winning and losing is all one big organic globule, but I will say this: the JackJumpers should be proud of their efforts on New Year's Day despite the L.

Yes, they missed a bunch of free throws and yes, they struggled to score in crunch time but Scott Roth’s men battled admirably throughout that contest. Operating without their primary rim protector, the Ants pressured United into 22 turnovers and their scramble on D helped them stay competitive.

“I thought [my guys] played fantastic,” Roth commented.

“The energy and passion that they played with… I love our competitive spirit. I love our grit and how we play.

“We’ll just have to keep working through it but I’m proud of the group and how hard they’re playing.”

So he should be. This is an expansion team that is building some really solid foundations, on and off the court.

NBL ALUMNI

Shout-out to all the former NBL guys doing their thing on the NBA stage right now.

From record-breaking performances from Josh Giddey to hard-earned opportunities for guys like Keifer Sykes, Cam Oliver and Scotty Hopson.

We’re super proud of all of you!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OH MY JOSH.<a href="https://twitter.com/joshgiddey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joshgiddey</a> has just entered the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA</a> history books becoming the youngest player to record a triple-double, which goes nicely with his youngest player to record a triple-double in <a href="https://twitter.com/nblhistory?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nblhistory</a> record.<br><br>The player that held the record before today? LaMelo Ball <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/JQfoR48hTc">pic.twitter.com/JQfoR48hTc</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1477822186731622402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Scott Marsh (Street Artist)

This is so cash. One of the greatest moments in Aussie basketball history. Props to the artist!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">All time Aussie hoops moment being painted onto the AUSA facility in Alexandria, Sydney <a href="https://t.co/rBENlB0MRc">pic.twitter.com/rBENlB0MRc</a></p>— Tommy Garlepp (@tommygarlepp) <a href="https://twitter.com/tommygarlepp/status/1476389002190082049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

DUDS

Josh Magette (Tasmania JackJumpers)

Up against Melbourne’s relentless defensive duo of Matthew Dellavedova and Shea Ili, Josh Magette found life a little difficult on New Year’s Day.

The crafty point guard was Tassie’s second leading scorer but his 15-point tally came on just 20 percent shooting (4/20) and was coupled with a season-low 2 assists.

That’s now two games in a row where Magette has struggled with his touch, with the lefty guard shooting a combined 6-of-32 (18 percent) across his last couple of outings.

The thing is: he’s better than that. Expect a bounce-back performance next time out.

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