The Blitz: What we learned

The dust has settled on the most successful Hungry Jack's NBL Blitz ever, and with the NBL24 season proper set to tip off in just a matter of days, every team raised some questions - and provided some answers - into how they will fare in the brand new campaign.

Every side showcased plenty of strengths and weaknesses, and NBL Media has run through each side's most burning storyline to come from the pre-season festival of hoops.

Figuring out the guard rotation
After Jason Cadee’s absence from the final game and Trentyn Flowers’ move back to the wing, Adelaide’s biggest take away from the Blitz is the need to figure out what their guard rotation looks like moving into the season – and fast.

After being the side’s primary ball-carrier in the opening games of the Blitz, Flowers produced some electric plays as the off guard in the later games. 

A point guard rotation of Mitch McCarron and Jason Cadee looked set to take the 36ers into the new season, following Flowers’ move, however Cadee’s absence from Adelaide’s final game of the tournament has muddied the waters even further.

Nevertheless, the 36ers have options, and that's the key. McCarron went close to a triple-double in their final game, Flowers had moments of brilliance and Cadee is a proven performer. It's all about finding the right mix. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trentyn Flowers drops the hammer ??<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adelaide36ers</a> Next Star takes it the length of the court and throws it down ?<br><br>Watch every game live &amp; free via Kayo Freebies ?<br><br>Outside Australia? Watch via ?? <a href="https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4">https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4</a> <a href="https://t.co/31JUT3xAq1">pic.twitter.com/31JUT3xAq1</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1704084493307392386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A new era in full swing
Wholesale changes for the Bullets – both on and off the floor – have seen them look to firmly place their disappointing NBL23 season behind them. If the Blitz is anything to go by, Justin Schueller’s new-look group looks to be taking the club in a new direction.

They may have lost their first two games of the tournament to Illawarra and Melbourne, however a 29-point win over the Sydney Kings has handed Brisbane momentum heading into Round 1.

Aron Baynes was dominant, Rocco Zikarsky continued his remarkable rise, Chris Smith was a force, and Nathan Sobey was aggressive.

After a horrific run in NBL23, are the Bullets back on track?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? Real talk from <a href="https://twitter.com/Liam_Santa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Liam_Santa</a> <br><br>Time to blow the roof off home court ? <br><br>?<a href="https://t.co/t5kagCTaqI">https://t.co/t5kagCTaqI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIVERCITYSTRONG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIVERCITYSTRONG</a> <a href="https://t.co/Deu7vzt2a0">pic.twitter.com/Deu7vzt2a0</a></p>&mdash; Brisbane Bullets (@BrisbaneBullets) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets/status/1705479806845112514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


The new kids on the block 
The exodus of talent following last season’s semi-final appearance may have worried Cairns fans prior to the Blitz, but those concerns have been put to bed by the performances of the Taipans’ newest crop of young stars.

The opinion and hype around young guard Taran Armstrong has surged following his performances on the Gold Coast, while ex-Manhattan big Josh Roberts impressed in his first games as a professional player, despite sustaining an ankle sprain. 

Former Illawarra big AK Gak reminded fans of his quality after struggling for court-time with the Hawks last season, and dropped 21 points against his former side, while Lat Mayen put Perth to the sword with a 17-point performance.

Next Star Bobi Klintman is the jewel in the crown of head coach Adam Forde’s talent factory, and the Swedish combo forward showed glimpses of his immense ability across all three games.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Taran Armstrong is too smooth with it ?‍?<br><br>Watch every game live &amp; free via Kayo Freebies ?<br><br>Outside Australia? Watch via ?? <a href="https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4">https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4</a> <a href="https://t.co/eVzudYjJ4u">pic.twitter.com/eVzudYjJ4u</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1704355208480874685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Back to winning ways
Illawarra won as many games in its NBL24 pre-season campaign as it did in the entirety of NBL23 – and two of those three victories came at the Blitz.

While there are plenty of new faces in the Hawks organisation for the upcoming season – not least NBL veterans Todd Blanchfield and Mason Peatling, star import Gary Clark, Next Star AJ Johnson and emerging gun Lachlan Olbrich – the core of last season’s side remains.

The feeling of getting early wins on the board will do those remaining players the world of good, as they look to launch themselves back into playoff contention.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lachie Olbrich takeover alert ?<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> forward is up to 20 points at the end of the third quarter ?<br><br>Watch every game live &amp; free via Kayo Freebies ?<br><br>Outside Australia? Watch via ?? <a href="https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4">https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4</a> <a href="https://t.co/NXNdTo08iK">pic.twitter.com/NXNdTo08iK</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1704391403504046416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



Fully fit and ready to fire
Melbourne United exited last year’s Blitz with a severely injured Ariel Hukporti and a hastily assembled team, following the departures of Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White from the season prior.

This year, Hukporti was among the side’s best players, Dellavedova has returned with a point to prove, and the bulk of the squad had been set in stone in the weeks leading up to the pre-season tournament.

After leaving the Gold Coast with the pre-season trophy in hand – and a handful of players who were in contention for the Ray Borner MVP Trophy, Melbourne’s lineup looks far more settled – and dangerous – than it did this time last season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? - Now on to the Throwdown. <a href="https://t.co/nb5sBX2VV1">pic.twitter.com/nb5sBX2VV1</a></p>&mdash; Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1704804619875176654?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Under the radar?
How does a team that barely lost last season’s Championship Series still fly under the radar? Ask Mody Maor and the New Zealand Breakers.

While the lack of discussion around New Zealand’s title credentials last season was well-founded – the Breakers had finished tenth and ninth in the two seasons prior – people seem to be discounting Maor’s side again.

While Next Star Mantas Rubstavicius didn’t play due to a groin injury, the rest of the side’s new pieces fired early.

Zylan Cheatham has quickly become a fan-favourite for his ridiculous highlight plays, but he’s shown he’s far more than just a dunker. Fellow import Parker Jackson-Cartwright could count himself unlucky to not have been named as the tournament MVP, while Cam Gliddon rolled back the years with a trio of strong offensive performances.

Will the Breakers be able to go one better this year despite losing that incredible import trio of Jarrell Brantley, Dererk Pardon and Barry Brown Jr?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Parker Jackson-Cartwright in 30 seconds: <br><br>? Layup<br>? Steal<br>? Assist<br><br>Oh ... and Zylan Cheatham is still dunking everything ?<br><br>Watch every game live &amp; free via Kayo Freebies ?<br><br>Outside Australia? Watch via ?? <a href="https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4">https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4</a> <a href="https://t.co/ULaxuVUdHk">pic.twitter.com/ULaxuVUdHk</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1704810356579635241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A new defensive linchpin
The Perth Wildcats organisation went all-in on head coach John Rillie this off-season by handing him a contract extension, and the former NBL champion looks to have found one of the gems in the new class of imports - Jordan Usher.

After arriving in the league with proclamations of wanting to be named Defensive Player of the Year, Usher walked the walk at the Blitz by both defending well individually and helping lift the defensive intensity of the side around him.

He also starred on offence with 19, 11 and 26-point performances.

Bryce Cotton will continue to be Bryce Cotton in NBL24, and Keanu Pinder will only improve following his horror run with injuries in the past six months – so can Usher be the final member of the Wildcats’ title-chasing big three?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jordan Usher is getting buckets and letting everybody know ??<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Perthwildcats</a> trail <a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cairnstaipans</a> 67-68 in the third quarter.<br><br>Watch every game live &amp; free via Kayo Freebies ?<br><br>Outside Australia? Watch via ?? <a href="https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4">https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4</a> <a href="https://t.co/24w5AiyPZD">pic.twitter.com/24w5AiyPZD</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1703299180783882502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A short-term star emerges 
Have we ever seen an injury replacement player come in dominate to the level of Tyler Cook did at the Blitz?

With 65 games to his name in the NBA, he came into the Phoenix’s lineup as a direct replacement for the injured Alan Williams and performed to the extent that he was named the Blitz MVP ahead of fellow strong performers Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Matthew Dellavedova.

Cook averaged 21 points per game across his three contests.

With Cook reportedly set to depart the NBL for Europe following Williams’ return, how will South East Melbourne replicate the impact of its newest player?

For now, though, fans should just enjoy how well the former Chicago Bull is playing on our shores.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Ray Borner Trophy goes to, Tyler Cook ?<br><br>Cook averaged 21 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game ?<br><br>Congrats, Tyler ? <a href="https://t.co/rZbMHaKBBv">pic.twitter.com/rZbMHaKBBv</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1705170385854218367?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A sluggish start, but no need to panic
Some growing pains for this new-look Kings outfit became evident at the Blitz, however there is absolutely no need to panic for head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah’s men just yet.

The Kings looked as deadly as ever in the open court at the Blitz, but struggled to get their offence going at times, and have emerged from the Gold Coast with three defeats from three games – including a blowout 29-point loss to Brisbane in the final game.

It’s worth remembering that Chase Buford’s tenure as head coach endured a slow and start in NBL22, and he left the side as the title of back-to-back NBL champion.

The performances of Jonah Bolden and Alex Toohey will have excited Kings fans, while Denzel Valentine’s sluggishness on offence across the three games will almost surely subside once the former first-round pick adapts to the different style of the NBL.

A slow start to the season might not see the Kings be the all-conquering force they were in NBL23, but they should almost certainly be there when the chips are down come the back end of the season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Like he never left, Jonah Bolden is back ? <br><br>Watch every game live &amp; free via Kayo Freebies ? <br><br>Outside Australia? Watch via ?? <a href="https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4">https://t.co/8LoWsbR7E4</a> <a href="https://t.co/eQzVFdyHT0">pic.twitter.com/eQzVFdyHT0</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1703715276066308491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

JackJumpers basketball, a near constant force
There are three constants in life. Death, taxes, and JackJumpers basketball.

Scott Roth’s side may be flush with new faces heading into NBL24, but Tasmania once again put forward their gritty, aggressive and bull-headed style of basketball to strong success in the pre-season tournament, and look set to once again be a force in the new campaign.

NBL23 Blitz MVP Jack McVeigh continued his immense improvement since arriving in Tasmania three years ago, and his stint with German side Heidelberg looks to have even further elevated the level of the high-energy forward.

Import point guard Jordon Crawford showcased his electric offence alongside returning star Milton Doyle, and his expected defensive deficiencies were well covered in Tasmania’s team-defence.

The make-up of Roth’s guard rotation without a pass-first point guard like Josh Magette could see a shift in offensive sets for the side, but if the Blitz is anything to go by – it works.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">UNDEFEATED X3 ? <br><br>See you in Perth for NBL24 Friday 29th. <a href="https://t.co/83Y3xZdAjg">pic.twitter.com/83Y3xZdAjg</a></p>&mdash; Tasmania JackJumpers ? (@JackJumpers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers/status/1704778827527049392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>