The Blitz: Standouts So Far

By Dan Woods - NBL Media

We’re almost halfway through a hectic NBL Blitz schedule, and although there’s only so much knowledge that can be taken from a pre-season tournament, there have already been a number of standout players and moments up in Darwin.

The action continues tonight with another double-header. Adelaide takes on Tasmania in the first game of the night at 5:30pm AEST, before Perth and South East Melbourne lock horns at 8pm AEST.

Cornrow Cotton drops 36 on the Taipans
If game one of his new look is anything to go by, Bryce Cotton should keep his new cornrows until the day he retires.

After linking up with the Wildcats late in pre-season, it could have been forgiven if the three-time league MVP headed into the Blitz a little rusty. Much to the Taipans dismay, he wasn’t. He was sharp, polished and utterly brilliant.

He dropped 12 of his 21 field goal attempts on the night – including five of nine from three. He was also active in other areas of the court with three boards, four assists and a steal.

Everyone already knows how good Bryce Cotton is, but his performance against the Taipans offered a timely reminder as to why he’s one of the best players to ever grace the NBL.

Rayan Rupert Shows Flashes of Brilliance
Rayan Rupert offered a nice insight into his limitless potential, in his almost 28 minutes of court time.

He dropped 12 points for the game – including five in 12 seconds in the opening quarter, but it was his activity and willingness on the defensive end that really made viewers stand up and take notice.

He used his massive 7’3” wingspan to great effect and finished the game with a well-deserved three steals.

While his stat-line of 12 points on 50 per cent shooting, one rebound, one assist and three steals makes for solid if unspectacular reading, it was the intangibles of his game that were super impressive.

He didn’t force anything to hit the scoreboard, he looked comfortable switching on all positions one through five on defence, and he looked like he belonged at the level.

It’s incredible to think this kid is still only 18 years old. If that first performance is anything to go by then he’s in for a spectacular season.

Rayan Rupert.

Aron Baynes Bustles Into Action
Watching Aron Baynes grace an NBL court for the first time was a pinch yourself moment.

Even if he only played 13 minutes against the Breakers on Sunday night he still showcased why he’s had such a long and storied NBA and Boomers career.

He flirted with a double-double despite his limited minutes, finishing with 14 points and six rebounds, however an airballed three showed he still has some significant rust to shake off.

You couldn't take the massive grin off Baynes' face all night. 

Long may it continue.

Aron Baynes pulls down a rebound. 

Illawarra's New Big Three?
Did we witness the birth of a new NBL big-three on Sunday night? Although the sample size is just one game, all indications point to yes.

The dynamic one-two punch of Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling was lethal for the Hawks last season, but the addition of Justin Robinson has added another exciting scoring threat to the side.

The trio finished with 41 points between them despite all playing 23 minutes or less across the game.

They were also all active on the defensive end – Froling chipped in with three blocks, while Harvey and Robinson combined for three steals.

There’s been a lot of movement on the Hawks’ roster this off-season, but if Sunday’s win over United is anything to go by, then it looks like they’ll still be a threat at the business end of the season.

Tyler Harvey.

Tassie's Tight Team Defence

Holding any team to under 60 points is an exceptional achievement at the professional level. Holding the defending champion Sydney Kings to just 53 points for the game while missing some of your biggest stars? Just wow.

The JackJumpers have built their culture and brand on gritty defence and a never-beaten attitude, and that was on full show in Saturday night’s grand final rematch.

The Kings shot just 29 per cent from the field and 18 per cent from three on the night as the JJ’s outscored them 25-7 in the final quarter to run away with the victory.

Every single member of Tasmania’s starting five registered at least one steal during the game, while Isaac White picked up three of them from the bench.

Early signs point to a new season, same JackJumpers.

The JackJumpers were on song as a defensive unit against Sydney. 

Opportunities for the Backup Brigades
Injuries and load management gives different players a chance to shine over the course of pre-season and there are a number of bench players, whether they be rostered, development, or injury replacement players, who have done their chances of more minutes come the season-proper no harm over the Blitz.

Kyle Adnam was a standout performer in the Phoenix’s opening night loss to Adelaide, and was given the licence to shoot, shoot and shoot over the contest. He finished with a game-high 19 points on 40 per cent shooting and also added five assists.

Tasmania’s Isaac White has been given the unenviable task of acting as a replacement for JackJumpers captain Clint Steindl, and the former Illawarra man impressed on his first outing for his new side.

While his five points won’t steal any headlines, the sharpshooter finished with three steals and five rebounds and was a willing and active presence on both sides of the court.

Commentator Damon Lowery showed surprise when he saw Gorjok Gak starting alongside Aron Baynes for the Bullets, but the 211-centimetre centre proved exactly why he’ll be an effective influence for the Bullets this season whether he starts or comes off the bench.

He impressively flirted with a triple-double over his 19 minutes, finishing the game with seven points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Gorjok Gak.