Why Cotton isn’t sweating Adelaide’s 4-5 start

“No need to panic.” That’s the message from the Adelaide 36ers, despite a 4-5 start and multiple key players still sidelined.

Bryce Cotton says the Sixers need to bank enough wins to reach the FIBA break in late November in a good position, then come out firing in the second half of the season with Flynn Cameron and Bul Kuol back.

On the surface, ninth place is far from ideal. But the reality is the 36ers are just one win off fourth spot.

“There’s no need to panic,” Cotton said on Tuesday.

“Seasons have a lot of ups and downs and I’ve been a part of seasons before where we seem kind of sluggish to start and then once you get rolling it turns into like a snowball effect.

“We’re very battle tested. Regardless of the wins and losses at this point, I do like how we’ve stayed together as a team.”

The focus for now is simple.

“We got to try to steer the ship right over the next few games,” Cotton said.

“Winning. I mean, you just need to win.”

If anything, Cotton has lifted his own standards in the face of adversity. The six-time MVP is averaging 27.4 points and 7.1 assists through 9 games. That’s his best scoring mark since his 28.1-point season in NBL25, and well above his career average of 23.6.

He was at it again on Saturday night against the South East Melbourne Phoenix, posting 37 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds.

The 36ers’ marquee man is averaging 37.7 minutes a night, but insists his heavy workload isn’t a concern.

“I think it’s pretty sustainable. I’ve done it the last six years or so. So, it’s nothing really new.”

Help is also on the way. Cameron, last season’s Most Improved Player, has been sidelined since injuring his ankle in Round 1 but is getting closer by the week. Kuol is targeting a December return from an ACL injury.

“Luckily we got FIBA break coming up as well,” Cotton said.

“So, if we can get some wins under our belt and then we get hopefully Flynn back then you know Bul hopefully soon, we’re banking on that basically giving us a boost.”

Cotton also has a familiar face in his corner. He and coach Trevor Gleeson won three championships together in Perth, and the trust built there hasn’t gone anywhere.

“I think it just comes down to trust in general. Trust in our coaching staff, the coaching staff, trusting in us as players,” Cotton said.

Adelaide faces the New Zealand Breakers in Auckland on Friday from 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.