“Fascinating discussion” around All-NBL case

As the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season heads into its final three rounds, the awards talk is ramping up.

One topic that is sure to create plenty of conversation is who is going to make up this season’s All-NBL First Team.

The three that seem to be a general consensus lock are MVP contenders: Adelaide’s Bryce Cotton, Sydney’s Kendric Davis and South East Melbourne’s Nathan Sobey.

One name that is gaining momentum for a spot on that team is Defensive Player of the Year front-runner John Brown III.

“The All-NBL first team is a fascinating discussion, [and in my mind] we've got three locks, Bryce Cotton, Kendric Davis and Nathan Sobey,” said Pete Hooley on Monday's episode of NBL Overtime.

“I would actually put Kristian Doolittle as a lock. I believe he’s cemented himself as that fourth player.

“[After that] you've got to have a serious discussion, because you've got Parker Jackson-Cartwright, you've got Jack McVeigh, you've got JaVale McGee, and you've got John Brown III, as well as some other players.

“I would argue that John Brown III needs a bit of love here, because we forget, as much as everyone loves putting the ball in the hole, 50 per cent of the game is played on the other end, and he is by far and away the best at that.”

Echoing Hooley’s sentiments about the American forward, who leads the league in steals (2) and is sixth in overall plus-minus, was fellow NBL champion Damon Lowery.

“We see some good defensive players in the league, John Brown III looks like he actually enjoys it,” Lowery said.

“Some players are just good at it because they're just good. John is in a defensive stance, like, yeah, let's go, I bet you can't score on me.

“He plays defence with an enthusiasm I don't see normal players playing with.

“A team like the Phoenix, who set up to shoot chaotic threes, off-balance threes, transition threes, just a bunch of threes, need one guy who'll go will set all the picks and chase every single rebound.

“When he does get the ball, he’s got a nice midrange jump-shot. He can kiss it off the glass from 15 feet. He's got an all-around game.

“He's so suited to that particular team. If you put him in a different team, it's a little bit different, probably, but he is perfect for them.”

Brown III and his second-placed Phoenix travel to New Zealand on Thursday to play the Phoenix from 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.