The NBL Championship Series: A Rivalry That’s Boosting the League’s Profile
The National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia has long been overshadowed by the global appeal of the NBA. However, the intense rivalry between the Adelaide 36ers and the Sydney Kings is helping to elevate the profile of the league, according to coach Mike Wells.
This season’s championship series has been marked by high tension and dramatic moments, with standout performances from players like Kendric Davis of the Sydney Kings and Bryce Cotton of the Adelaide 36ers. Wells believes that the competition between these two stars is bringing much-needed attention to the NBL.
“The NBL is a global brand, and I think a lot of people in the States, and in the NBA, all know what’s going on over here,” said Wells. “My phone’s been quite full. There’s a lot of people that know what’s going on because of this league — what Bryce and Kendric have done.”
A Crucial Final Game
The 36ers are preparing for what could be their most significant game in over a decade. On Sunday afternoon, they will face the Kings in the fifth and final match of this year’s grand final series, which is currently tied at 2-2.
It has been eight years since the 36ers last participated in an NBL championship series, and 24 years since they last won a title. The games so far have been defined by shifting momentum and heated drama. The 36ers even lodged a formal complaint over comments made by Sydney Kings assistant coach Andrew Bogut after Game 2, while Wells rejected an accusation of “disrespect” regarding Sydney guard Matthew Dellavedova.
An incident where Davis started yelling at Cotton also generated headlines, highlighting the intensity of the rivalry.
A ‘Big Dog’ Rivalry
Kings co-owner Luc Longley described the rivalry between Davis and Cotton as a “big dog” battle. “They’re both the advantage-creators or the leverage-points for their team,” he said. “For their teams to win, they’ve got to start the first domino in a lot of possessions. They’re both playing huge minutes.”
Despite being strong favorites, the Kings are facing a tough challenge against the 36ers. Wells is comfortable with the underdog role, acknowledging the difficulties of winning a close-out game on the road.
“You’re not supposed to, statistically, win a close-out game on the road, nobody’s really won a road game in this series,” he said. “So our challenges are huge. They’ve got a lot of talented players that have been in a lot of big games, and it’s going to come down to a play or two.”
Home-Court Advantage Is Not Guaranteed
Longley emphasized that home-court advantage should never be taken for granted. “You tend to shoot better on your own rims, you know the floor, you’re sleeping in your own bed,” he said. However, he noted that many teams lose on their home floor, and the 36ers have already proven they can win on their home court.
“[The 36ers] won by a point [in Game 4 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre], so it’s not a foregone conclusion in any way,” Longley added. “That’s what I love about sport — there’s no script. It’s heart-in-your-mouth sort of stuff, and that’s what we’ve had in this series.”
Impact of Bryce Cotton
Cotton’s arrival at the 36ers has had a transformative effect on the team’s performance. “Getting Bryce is a big deal, but we’ve got a team behind him that has connected and committed,” said Wells.
While focusing on the upcoming game, Wells also looks to the future. “I hope that this team is built for sustainable success — this isn’t a one-year plan, this was built to have multiple years,” he said. “This team will grow the sport of basketball not only in South Australia and Adelaide, but I think the rivalry between KD and Bryce will do that in this country, and you’ll see an influx of players and talent.”
Final Thoughts
As the NBL championship series reaches its climax, fans across Australia are eagerly anticipating the final game. ABC Sport will be live blogging Sunday’s Game 5, which begins at 2:30pm AEST. With the stakes high and the rivalry fierce, this is a moment that could define the future of the league.
