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WHO suits up? That's the behind-the-scenes mystery ahead of this NBL round, Luke Travers, Ian Clark, Matthew Dellavedova, Ariel Hukporti, Patrick Miller, Bobi Klintman, Tyrell Harrison, Trey Kell all on the recovery trail, with Daniel Johnson returning to Adelaide also a headline maker.

Johnson was a 36ers stalwart for more than a decade until the club pensioned off its seven-time MVP ahead of the 2023-24 NBL season.

South East Melbourne swooped in to snatch DJ up as an injury replacement and in his second game at the Phoenix comes to the city of church mice, facing the Sixers, an injury cloud over their import, former SEM star Kell.

The American guard has been one of the few bright spots in another Adelaide roller-coaster season and his further absence would be catastrophic. Although in the 36ers' directionless structure, who knows where he'd fit this week?

Long-time 36ers fans are sure to treat Johnson with the respect his Adelaide career deserves, just as they do with his Phoenix running mate and former face of the Sixers, Mitch Creek.

There's a new excitement around Perth - continued stories of owner Craig Hutchinson's financial woes notwithstanding - but the "new Wildcats" have yet to be truly tested.

Beating Adelaide is no huge accomplishment, taking out Melbourne (in overtime) when United in-game lost Travers, Clark and Hukporti, is barely a pass mark.

And whacking a New Zealand outfit that comes in playing a zone defence and inviting Bryce Cotton to go berserk - which he accommodates with a league season-high 37 points - only shows Perth has managed to take advantage of opportunities as they've been presented.

If Cairns is not at full potency, then a potential win over the Taipans this round again would lack the substance of beating the Orange's A-Team.

And if the Wildcats confront the Bullets in Brisbane with Harrison out of the garrison, a win there too would be slightly tainted.

None of this is Perth's problem. The Wildcats can only keep playing - and beating - whatever version of their opponents is put in front of them. It's just inserting a note of caution before fully boarding the Wildcat bandwagon.

It will be interesting to see if New Zealand again open in that zone in Tasmania or at home when the Breakers host Illawarra.

The dismissal of Jacob Jackomas as Hawks coach this week and handing of the reins to assistant Justin Tatum creates a challenging scenario for Mody Maor's depleted crew.

Clubs traditionally play exceptionally well in their first game after a coach's sacking, usually the players trying to show that no, it wasn't THEIR fault. Hell no! So do not be surprised if Illawarra brings off a stunning road upset.

Championship favourites Melbourne and Sydney going hard at it should be a great game but United need some bodies back, the Kings unlikely to fold along the dotted lines in the manner South East did. 

ROUND 8 TIPS
They play similar brands but Tasmania at home should edge staggering NZ.
Even beating Cairns isn’t a real indicator of Perth’s bona fides, but all wins count.
SEM needs to pick up its game or it could fall to an Adelaide ambush. Unlikely.
Cairns flying home from WA, Tassie from Tassie, a toss up but JJs look surer.
Taking on the Bullets in Brisbane might be Perth’s first real challenge.
New Zealand at home should have a leg up over Illawarra and its new coach.
The heavyweights go at it, Melbourne needing players back to stop Sydney.

NBL RANKINGS – WEEK 8
This          Last
Week       Week   Club
  1               1        Melbourne (9-2) Playing the champs but have enormous depth and heart.
  2               2        Tasmania (6-4) A 2-0 round would cement their rise but 1-1 seems probable.
  3               3        Sydney (7-3) Not exactly killing but still winning so United looms largely.
  4               8        Perth (5-5) Can really make a statement this round but a split would suffice.
  5               4        Brisbane (5-6) Dropped the ball last round and need to tame Wildcats.
  6               7        Cairns (4-4) Big weekend, away and home. Maybe settle for a split?
  7               5        South East (6-5) Wasted a huge chance and simply must clobber 36ers.
  8               9        Adelaide (3-7) Flailing about again and too erratic to justify favouritism.
  9               6        New Zealand (2-6) Slipping off the pace and must get at least a split.
10             10        Illawarra (2-7) New coach often means renewed vigour so maybe can shock.