Basketball On The Internet.

THE deal is done. Dejan "DJ" Vasiljevic is an Adelaide 36er who could even suit this round as the Sixers look to build on their win over Illawarra and re-ignite a spluttering 2023-24 season.

Truth is, this is a big round for several coaches, CJ Bruton needing a positive return, and so too Mike Kelly, John Rillie, Jacob Jackomas and Justin Schueller all somewhat under the pump.

Schueller's circumstances look the most safe, the rookie having to deal with the loss of Aron Baynes.

But like his peer quartet, some of the rotations have been chin-strokers, Rillie and Jackomas in particular looking all at sea at times.

They had their honeymoons in 2022-23 and scrutiny intensifies when the results are ugly. And they're ugly.

New coaches such as that troop - Kelly exempted as a newbie - are men we all want to see succeed. The NBL and basketball needs new coaching blood and ideas so their success is our fervent hope.

But truth be told, and we try to do that here without the balloons, streamers and rose-coloured glasses, they need to start getting it right sooner than later.

This week's big question appears to be, did the Sixers get it right by signing Vasiljevic?

Do you try and bring in the type of player the team needs most, or do you bring in the best available talent?

Vasiljevic is a huge talent, a dual-championship winner and on the NBA fringe. He will make a difference but he does give Bruton more of the same size player he already is having trouble finding minutes for. 

Nearly 30 odd years ago when the 36ers lost 7-foot centre Willie Simmons to injury, coach Mike Dunlap replaced him with "the best available player" - NBA guard Jo Jo English.

Not a memorable year, at season's end, many of the same type players the 36ers already had headed for greener pastures.

It will be interesting to see if Bruton is more adept at finding time and the best outcome for his eclectic group.

ROUND 4 TIPS

Adelaide, with a new lease of life, handles business against South East.
United drops the hammer on the Hawks who continue their downward spiral.
South East bounces back at home against the blustering Bullets.
Can the 36ers get it to 3-4 against a floundering Wildcats unit? Yep.
Back from the US, expect a letdown to cost NZ at Melbourne.
Beaten at Tassie, Sydney will be itching to reverse that. Not this time.

NBL RANKINGS – WEEK 4
This          Last
Week       Week   Club
  1               3        Melbourne (4-1) Down Delly but still should have too much for Hawks.
  2               2        Sydney (4-1) Finding their identity and ready for Tassie this time.
  3               1        Tasmania (3-2) Need Doyle firing if it is to go 2-0 on the Kings.
  4               4        Cairns (2-1) Can stop issuing club statements now and get on with basketball.
  5               7        New Zealand (1-1) Catch Melbourne on a second leg but jet lag a factor.
  6               9        South East (2-3) A split would be a good return for Alan Williams.
  7               5        Perth (2-3) Back to playing junk time, only it starts at tip-off.
  8             10        Adelaide (1-4) Big tests against SEM and Perth. Are 36ers really back?
  9               6        Brisbane (2-3) Need everyone stepping up to counter Phoenix in Melb.
10               8       Illawarra (1-3) Embarrassed themselves last week. Only way is up.