Have the 36ers been left behind?
TweetIF you’re an Adelaide 36ers fan about now, you have to be wondering if Joey Wright is expected to work miracles in the 2014-15 NBL season.
He almost pulled one off last season, turning the bomb shelter residents into high flyers again with only one substantial team change, Gary Ervin.
But Ervin will be alongside Jahii Carson at Wollongong this season, along with another former 36ers veteran, Adam Ballinger.
Out west, the reigning champs look just as good as last season, with DeAndre Daniels sure to have an impact and Jermaine Beal already a Larry Sengstock Medallist.
Sydney has stuck its head into calculations with the signing of Josh Childress and Kendrick Perry, and New Zealand has its MVP back in Cedric Jackson, plus the imposing Ekene Ibekwe.
Scottie Wilbekin and Torrey Craig have the import spots down in Cairns and Brian Conklin is back in Townsville with Mickell Gladness.
Now Melbourne United, which has not put a foot wrong since its initial revelations it was parting company with the long-established Tigers name, has not only retained Steve Dennis and added marquee centre Daniel Kickert, but gone one better.
Dennis will be joined in the import spots by NBA draftee Jordan McRae, formerly of the University of Tennessee.
United coach Chris Anstey spotted the 198cm shooting guard at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas where he averaged 21.0ppg for the Philadelphia 76ers.
“We feel Jordan adds a different dimension to our group,” Anstey said, the Melbourne mentor’s friendship with 76ers coach Brett Brown playing a part in the successful negotiation.
“We really like his length and athleticism, as well as his ability to score the ball in a number of ways.
“He stood out for us in Vegas. We feel he can give our team lots of different looks with our line-ups, and look forward to him arriving.”
McRae was taken at 58 in this year’s NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs who then traded him to the Sixers. Philadelphia retains his rights.
But while the original Sixers are content with the arrangement, the Adelaide version has a tough season ahead.
Jamar Wilson is a star, as any runner-up for a league MVP would be. While he replaces Ervin at the 36ers and brings a different style of playmaker, Adelaide can believe it has broken even on that decision.
Losing Daniel Johnson to Europe though is massive and throws great pressure on Daequon Montreal in his NBL debut.
In an off-season of "we can't afford it", the 36ers bungled a chance at securing Boomers swingman and Adelaide fan-favorite Brad Newley in a marquee capacity.
The only other substantial change for Adelaide is Peter Crawford for Jason Cadee.
The one person who does not appear unduly concerned though is Wright, who loves putting together combinations of players who want a second chance to prove their worth.
They will have their work cut out but stability should never be underestimated.
This is how the 2014-15 import crop look, courtesy of Adam Westerhout’s excellent work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASbDaHI0lHM&feature=youtu.be
Thank goodness we have a FIBA World Cup starting in a few hours because the wait for the NBL tip-off would otherwise be unbearable.