36ers Eye Lift Out of Ladder Log-Jam

Adelaide 36ers import Antonius Cleveland has declared his side is ready to "shake up the ladder" in order to separate themselves from the cramped mid-table log-jam that's formed in NBL23.

After successfully emerging from RAC Arena intact and in possession of a crucial win, the 36ers are looking to build on their strong base of recent form to begin a surge up the table.

With a critical double-header coming up in Round 9 against top three teams Cairns and Sydney, Adelaide certainly has the perfect opportunity to do that.

“These (next) two games are pretty big," Cleveland said. We could really make a lot of noise with these wins, shake up the ladder and just keep improving as a team and building our confidence up as well.

“Just try to get some separation on that ladder, it’s jam packed in the middle right now and we want to separate ourselves.”

At 5-5 for the season Adelaide currently sit sixth on the ladder - just about the most mid-table a team could be so far in NBL23.

They've increased their quality in recent games though, and their victory over Perth has signified the start of a new era for the team.

“We’ve been through a lot this season already so we’re just trying to keep improving and getting this thing on the right track.

“We’ve been struggling not having been consistent so we’re just trying to string maybe two or three (wins) in,” Cleveland said.

“We want to do our work now, and do what we need to do now.”

Cleveland, like much of the 36ers side, experienced something of a slow start this season. However, the former Illawarra Hawk and reigning Defensive Player of the Year is back to his best, as is fellow star Robert Franks.

He's currently ranked among the top performing players on his side this season having posted averages of 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

“I think I got off to a slow start, the last four or five games I picked it up defensively, and offensively as well. [I'm just] trying to be more efficient,” Cleveland said.

“I think I can continue to improve offensively, and I’ve got another level I can reach as far as defensively.

“I’ve got a lot more left this season and I’m just trying to string it all together and be consistent,” he said.