NBL legend labels three "genuine" contenders

NBL legend Chris Anstey won two titles during his storied playing career, and he believes despite the tightness of the ladder in the NBL24 season, only three genuine contenders have emerged from the first 16 weeks of the season.

Anstey has labelled Melbourne United – whom he coached in the club’s first ever game since rebranding from the Melbourne Tigers – as title favourites despite the hot form of the surging Wildcats.

“If it was tomorrow I’d tip Perth because Shea Ili and ‘JLA’ might be out. If it was at the end of the season which, thankfully for Melbourne United I suppose in this situation, it is, I still think Melbourne is the team to beat,” Anstey told SEN.

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“I think they’ve got greater insurance across injuries which we are seeing, they’ve had the luxury of being four or five games clear on top of the ladder for a while now.

“First and foremost that allows them to get some heavy training phases in, and secondly it’s human nature - as much as we say it’s not – the players have been assured in their minds of that top or top two spot for a while now, so I think we’ll see them gear up again.

“They’re still the favourites in my book, Perth has been fantastic, and I think the only other team I give a genuine chance of winning this is Tasmania. I do think it’s come down to three. Tasmania were exceptional against United just a week or so ago."

The plight of the Sydney Kings in their quest for a three-peat continued in Round 16, as the reigning champions suffered their fourth defeat in five games after losing to the Wildcats by six points at Qudos Bank Arena.

The defeat marked the first time the Wildcats had travelled to Sydney and beaten their traditional rivals on their home floor since Round 13, NBL21, in a game that featured the likes of Casper Ware and Brad Newley for the Kings, and Clint Steindl and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk for the Wildcats.

Anstey believes both of NBL23’s Championship Series contenders – Sydney and New Zealand – have flattered to deceive this season.

“The Sydney Kings are probably the team – on paper – along with New Zealand, I would have thought they could contend if they played to their capacity but neither of those two teams have found a way to do that this season,” he continued.

“The longer the season goes, the more I don’t think those two teams can compete.

“New Zealand has a hell of a job to even make the playoffs before they can worry about that, and the Sydney Kings, it’s going to be interesting with Brian Goorjian looking for a job next year.

“He took the club to three consecutive championships and having won the last two championships if they were to miss the playoffs the year after with a new coach there’s got to be conversations had.

“It’s so even. A win here and there or a loss here and there quite literally takes you in and out of the top four. It’s so close.”

Round 17 of NBL24 commences on Thursday night when South East Melbourne takes on Sydney at 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo.