Mid-Season Report Card: Tasmania JackJumpers

With the Hungry Jack's NBL26 competition currently on a time-out due to FIBA Break, NBL Media has decided to assess each of the 10 teams and give them a mid-season report card.

During this series, one expert on NBL Now will evaluate the team's progress through the first 10 rounds, while also naming their most improved and MVPs.

Finally, they will each team a grade and predicted finishing spot.

The next cab off the ranks, after the Perth Wildcats, Illawarra Hawks, Adelaide 36ers, and Melbourne United are the Tasmania JackJumpers, with the team's performance analysed by two-time NBL champion, Andrew Parkinson.

Report card score: C

Well, if you'd asked me that question Sunday morning, I would have given them a D … but after that game on, we keep going back to that last game they played. You're only as good as your last game. So I'm going to actually upgrade them to a C. The fact that they've been decimated with injuries … I'm going to say they're a C.

What you like: Finding form into the FIBA Break

I liked their last performance against the Kings on Sunday. They don't win that one and their home record is one and five and they'd actually be sitting on the exact same record as Brisbane and the Breakers at five and 10. They gave them a shellacking and yeah … had (Will) Magnay back. DJ (David Johnson) was back playing. For Tassie to sort of to get that win just before the FIBA Break, I think it was the perfect medicine they needed just to just to get a bit of momentum and start feeling a bit better about themselves.

What needs to change: Making Tassie a fortress again

Their home record … to only have two wins from eight outings at home. It should be a fortress down there as it has been in the past few years. I think it's possible for him to turn that home record around. Normally if you stay above 500 with your away record, it's going to guarantee you you're going to make the playoffs or at least make the Play-In and make the top six. But in saying that, you've got to get it done at home.

Most improved player: Josh Bannan

The guy's averaging 16 points and about 10 rebounds a game. He looks like he's really settled in now. He had a great game against Sydney. I didn't expect him be as good as he's playing at this point. I think he’s definitely the most improved player for the JackJumpers.

Team MVP: Bryce Hamilton

19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, that's what he's averaging. I can see him even upping those numbers a little bit. I expect to even have a better second half of the season. And I think once his teammates get used to him. There's bit more consistency with the lineups and the different pieces they have got there. He’s been a bit of a standout there in that area, that one sort of constant.

Who needs to step up: David Johnson

I think it's going to be fresh legs … David Johnson. It’s not his fault. He's been out with injury, but you know … he's just getting back to his potential, so I think he needs to step up, but I think … they've got a lot of faith in him. He's just sort of finding his feet, but I see him stepping up to the second half of the season.

Finishing prediction: Sixth‍

I know they're already in the sixth spot, but they're only just sitting in that sort of sixth spot. They're the only team in the top six with a losing record. You've got to remember, Illawarra are coming. They're four and nine. They've still got 20 games left. Brisbane five and 10, who knows what they're going to be like? They could be a real surprise packet in the second half of season. And also you've got New Zealand Breakers, who I don't think are dummies. I think they (the Breakers) can really challenge ... I think the only team that I guess I can rule out is Cairns, which is just unfortunate. I think it'll be a tremendous effort for them (the JackJumpers) to hold on to that sixth spot and get into the Play-In.