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CAM Oliver may be gone but returning in his place is popular 203cm Aussie forward Venkatesha “Venky” Jois, the 27-year-old who a decade ago won the SEABL Youth Player of the Year award at Dandenong Rangers.

Jois, who two years ago logged some NBL time at Melbourne United, has an extensive resume which started with a college career at Eastern Washington and includes NBA G-League and pro stints in Serbia, Estonia, Croatia, Germany, Japan and New Zealand.

“It’s always difficult in the middle of a season to come in and make a big impact, but that is exactly what we need Venky to do," Cairns coach Mike Kelly said.

Oliver's departure for personal reasons also leaves more minutes for Nate Jawai who has had some outstanding moments in limited time.

In other news, Isaac Humphries (foot) is due to return for the 36ers this week, giving Adelaide its best lineup of the season so far for road games against Melbourne and New Zealand.

As the Sixers showed in losing to Cairns from a 16-point lead, then beating South East Melbourne, they simply cannot be trusted to be consistent - ditto Brisbane Bullets - so expect them to surprise and maybe beat United and lose to the Breakers.

Sydney also has its work cut out now with Didi Louzada gone back to the US for his shot at the NBA with New Orleans Pelicans.

Louzada has been anything but significant this season for the Kings but did have a much improved Round 14, stepping up the scoring in the absence of Dejan Vasiljevic (Achilles rupture - season-ending). The Kings again must adopt the "next man up" mentality, except they're running out of men.

 

 

 

   ROUND 15

 

 

THE Phoenix a fortnight back broke their Sydney jinx, only to lose again to the Kings last round. It was a rough round for South East Melbourne, which has legitimate claims on third place but only can press them by this time dethroning the Kings.

 

 

This kinda falls into "must win" territory for SEM.

 

THE rivalry rekindles in Launceston of all places when New Zealand hosts Cairns. Coming off a rare win in Perth after thrashing Brisbane, the Breakers are in fine form right now, William McDowell-White controlling their tempo, Tom Abercrombie shutting down superstars and making big plays, Finn Delany continuing his emergence, Levi Randolph and Colt Iverson bringing different strengths as imports and Corey Webster tough as teak. This is a huge test for Cairns.

 

 

Is it time for the Taipans to track down DJ Newbill?

 

WHO would want to be Brisbane right at this moment? As erratic a team as there is in the comp, the Bullets lose Vic law for BJ Johnson - who has to complete his quarantine restrictions - and travel across the country to face a fired-up Wildcats group in Perth, where the home team just lost! Brisbane opening with its Adelaide 36ers lineup probably explains why it is as inconsistent as the Sixers.

 

 

Well rested, this is the game in which Perth will want to make a statement.

 

QUIETLY chalking up wins, Melbourne is continuing on its merry way and will not view Adelaide as a major impediment, and that could be its downfall. The 36ers are capable when they are switched on, a term rarely applicable to them for the full 40 minutes of a ballgame. These clubs also have rich recent history but Daniel Johnson and Brendan Teys may be the only players aware of it.

 

 

Really difficult to pick against a team travelling along quite this smoothly.

 

TALKING about rivaltries, few come close to Sydney and Illawarra's intrastate NSW derby which always carries its share of feeling, regardless of ladder positions. Both teams are thickly in the Final Four hunt and Sydney enjoyed a quality round last week whuile the Hawks took a couple of road lumps. They weren't KO punches though, the door ajar for Illawarra to bounce back here.

 

 

What a great time to snatch the scalp of the old enemy.

 

THIS may be the toughest game of the round to call because you never know what frame of mind the Bullets will be in and sometimes, South East Melbourne hasn't been super reliable either. Check out last round, for example. Working to entrench themselves in the playoff quartet, the Phoenix may have a tad more to play for but Brisbane fans could take a punt on their own team.

 

 

Could go either way, depending on which versions of the teams show up.

 

YES, there have been times Cairns has upset Perth in Cairns so there is good reason for local fans to feel encouraged. The boys showed such great fight without Scott Machado when they beat Adelaide last week and should dig deep to find that against the Wildcats. It's just that in terms of consistency Perth isn't Adelaide. It also boasts a guy named Bryce Cotton.

 

 

This may be tougher than expected but can you tip against Perth?

 

NEW Zealand and Adelaide already have endured some weird results but with any luck, both will bring their best for this and provide the Breakers' Tasmanian fans plenty to cheer about. I expect the Breakers to win but Adelaide has repeatedly shown it can step up at unusual times so have gambled on predicting the unpredictable 36ers. But realistically, NZ starts favourite.

 

 

Tipping a road win for Adelaide. But this could be a passing phase.

 

Safest Bet of the Round: Mitch Creek will be unleashed.