Cotton: ‘How do you not back a coach like that?’

Five-time MVP Bryce Cotton will be the first to admit the past few weeks have been challenging for the league-leading Adelaide 36ers.

Since Round 16, when the 36ers lost to Tasmania, Adelaide has gone 3-5, marking its worst stretch of the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season.

An element of that was form, but so was trying to integrate new import John Jenkins into the club’s system, according to Cotton.

“Obviously, it took us a little bit of time getting used to bringing in John,” Cotton said to 1629 SEN SA.

“Normally, you wouldn't want a skid to happen to that extent, but it was the perfect storm. W“I don't know how you don't back a coach who's doing something like this in just his second year.”e were playing some great teams while bringing in a new player, and they really put us to the test.

“But I think getting that big win against Melbourne on the road, that was a huge morale boost.

“It was only a matter of time before we started to find our groove again, [and I feel we’re now back on the right track].”

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Another element during that period were rumblings about the future of Sixers coach Mike Wells, fuelled further by comments from Sydney Kings owner Andrew Bogut.

“I'll put both hands up for me individually, saying I definitely support him,” he said.

“I don't know how you don't support a coach like that. We've been top of the table for who knows how long, and I can't even remember the last time Adelaide has sniffed something close to this.

“I don't know how you don't back a coach who's doing something like this in just his second year.”

Bryce Cotton is a $441,100 guard in the NBL’s official fantasy game, Beat The Coach, presented by Choice Hotels. Take on Damon Lowery and Beat the Coach in any round of the NBL26 Season and you’ll receive an entry into the end-of-season $10,000 prize draw, including $5,000 cash and $5,000 in Choice Hotels™ gift vouchers. Sign up to play now here.

While Adelaide sits in first, on 22-9, with two games remaining, Cotton says the Sixers “aren’t going to count their chickens”, because they need to take care of business in the final two rounds.

If they do, they will be rewarded with a top-two spot going into the post-season.

“It is night and day, regular season versus playoffs,” Cotton said.

“When you look at different teams who have had high peaks this year, it doesn't matter who's playing well or bad at this moment, because once the FIBA Break happens, it's going to be almost a month before any of us play again.

“It's going to be a brand new season, and that's an advantage for anybody that's playing badly right now [but also whoever holds home-court advantage].

“It's a pretty top-heavy race, and it's looking like by the time the season's done, first, second, and third place will probably be within one game of each other.

“It’s imperative we stay locked in [and take care of business].”

Adelaide hosts New Zealand in their final home game of the regular season on Saturday, tipping off at 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.