What the CODE Sports NBL Blitz revealed about your team

With the CODE Sports NBL Blitz wrapped up, all ten teams will look to use the next few weeks to regain health and fine tune everything before the season begins for real.

While some major pieces sat out over the last week, let’s look at some key takeaways from your team at the Blitz.
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The depth is ready
‍The 36ers' superstars have made headlines all off-season and rightly so, because bringing in a five-time MVP will instantly change the trajectory of your club.

While Bryce Cotton didn’t feature at the Blitz, along with Montrezl Harrell and Isaac Humphries, the 36ers went deeper into their roster to find some production.

It was local guard Isaac White who really stood tall across their two games, averaging 19 points per game and shooting efficiently. He wasn’t alone, with Flynn Cameron also having a very strong Blitz and Michael Harris making the most of his opportunity in the one game he played.

All eyes are going to be on Adelaide’s superstar starting unit, but their bench looks ready to contribute when called upon.
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Could this the best import trio in NBL26?
‍Yes, it’s very early for a prediction like this, but there’s plenty of excitement around the Bullets import trio of Jaylen Adams, Casey Prather and Javon Freeman-Liberty.

It’s also worth noting that while their last game against Melbourne was a tough watch, Brisbane was missing some very important pieces in Tyrell Harrison and Alex Ducas.

On their import trio however, it’s Freeman-Liberty who provides the most intrigue going into the season. Fans got a brief glimpse of his scoring reputation during their first game of the Blitz, where he had 27 points in 29 minutes and found a way to dominate with ease.

Adding that kind of scoring output to what Adams has already proven in the NBL and how Prather finished last season, this could be fun to watch.
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The Taipans have their clutch guy
‍It’s been a tough few seasons for the Taipans in many ways, but if you go back and watch the games that came down to one single shot, Cairns was on the wrong end of most of them. Adam Forde mentioned on NBL Now two weeks ago a memory that stuck with him when Jack McVeigh sunk a dagger while playing for the JackJumpers on Cairns’ home floor. But now, he’s in orange and already stepping up.

While Cairns are still waiting for their full team to be available, McVeigh is the marquee signing for the Taipans this off-season and has already shown why he’s worth every penny.

Adam Forde didn’t have to draw up a play when down two to Tasmania in the first game, instead McVeigh went and got the ball and made a clutch play once again to send the game into overtime.
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Everyone ready to step up
‍This past week it was hard to get a real grasp of what the reigning champs will look like in NBL26, as they are yet to announce their last two roster spots and JaVale McGee was unavailable.

What we did learn was that the returning core is ready to take yet another step forward this season, as their roles increase under Justin Tatum.

Will Hickey is the leader in this aspect, as he continues to play with extreme confidence and could likely be the Hawks starting point guard on opening night.

However, it’s guys like Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Todd Blanchfield and Dan Grida who will be relishing the extra responsibility to produce each night.
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New bookends working well
‍Melbourne had two new pieces on either end of their starting unit at the Blitz in dynamic guard Tyson Walker and big man Jesse Edwards, who both looked great across the two games they played.

Walker continues to flash his brilliance, utilizing his speed to get into the paint and cause chaos for the defence, where Edwards is a monster down low who made his presence known.

The last two seasons, United has lacked traits that both these fresh faces bring. That includes an extra playmaking ball-handler and a rebounding big man who can set a tone on both ends.

When you put the rest of a full strength United around these two, that’s something Dean Vickerman can work with.
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Backcourt combo
‍When the Breakers re-signed Parker Jackson-Cartwright, fans quickly went from excitement at having their star back, to wondering who is going to be his backcourt running mate. It took patience to find the perfect piece, but New Zealand landed with Izaiah Brockington, who put on a show during the Blitz and came away with the MVP.

The 26-year-old combo guard was everywhere across the two games for his new team, averaging 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists and over two steals.

With Jackson-Cartwright subbed out early in their game against Cairns due to an injury concern, it was Brockington who stepped up once again and carried his team to a big win.
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New aggression is key
‍For the first time in nearly a decade, the Wildcats enter a season where every player will be asked to step up on the offensive end.

However, it’s Dylan Windler and Kristian Doolittle who will look to be on the front foot and play ultra-aggressive. Last season we saw it in moments, particularly in the post-season, where both stood up offensively and looked dominant.

With marquee big man Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. and a new point guard still to be integrated into this team, it’s the new mindset of the returning stars that should have the Red Army excited.

This team is littered with a bunch of strong defensive talents, including both Windler and Doolittle, but it’s how quickly they can find their groove on the other end that will set a tone for the season.
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One grip on DPOY already?
‍The Phoenix’s reputation as a strong defensive team under the coaching of Josh King got even better with the signing of John Brown III.

While the Blitz is a small sample size, Brown showed exactly why he has a trophy cabinet full of defensive awards across his career. His ability to block shots, get in passing lanes and be an all-round disruptor on that end, could see him as the defensive player of the year front runner already.

Combining Brown’s strengths with what Malique Lewis can bring in his second season and Hunter Maldonado, this could be fun for King in NBL26.
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Delly the conductor
‍There is a lot of excitement building around this Sydney team, largely due to the incredible individual talent in this roster. The likes of Kendric Davis, Xavier Cooks and a healthy Jaylin Galloway give the Kings some of the best scoring weapons in the league.

What makes this prospect even more electrifying is that Matthew Dellavedova looks primed to control this high-powered offence and make sure everyone gets theirs.

The Kings’ marquee playmaker was locked into his pass-first mentality across the Blitz, as he racked up the assists and made his teammates lives as easy as possible. Even without Davis available, it showed fans that the veteran is ready to lead from the front in a selfless mindset this season.
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Most balanced roster in the league?
‍It’s a very small sample size, but could Tasmania have the most balanced roster in the league? With Tyger Campbell as the head of the snake, the JackJumpers have dynamic wings in David Johnson and Bryce Hamilton next to him, who have both shown they are capable of filling it up in a variety of ways.

Down low, Roth has fresh face Josh Bannan and Will Magnay as the pillars of everything they do on both ends of the floor. On one end, that gives them a toughness and physicality that is unique to any other team, but offensively it gives them two talented local big men who can be effective in very different ways.

Overall, this JackJumpers team might just be the perfect puzzle if they can stay healthy.
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