Why MVP isn’t Adelaide’s most important player

Adelaide boast a six-time MVP in Bryce Cotton, but according to the NBL Overtime panel, he isn’t the 36ers’ most important player.

As Adelaide prepare to host a red-hot Melbourne United on Thursday, looking to build on last round’s dominant home win over Illawarra, Pete Hooley says the key to their success lies elsewhere.

“They’ve got a six-time MVP, but you talk about their most important player, it’s Zylan Cheatham,” Hooley said.

“Because when he gets in that mindset, he’s just so dominant.

“He’s on the glass; defensively, he’s active, and when he gets in that short roll, he can take a dribble and dunk on someone, or [he] draws a crowd [and passes].”

Cheatham recorded the first triple-double of the season on Saturday, with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, leading the 36ers to a much-needed home win.

Performances like that aren’t new for the star forward. The question over the past couple of seasons has been whether he can produce them consistently.

“Yeah, he’s been criticised [for that],” Hooley said.

“He’s been openly talking about that and what [messages] he gets from fans.

“But what we saw the other night, Zylan Cheatham is the engine room of the Adelaide 36ers.”

1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker agreed, saying the athletic forward is central to Adelaide’s push towards the championship level many predicted for them.

“His defence is underrated also,” Rucker said.

“But what I like about Cheatham is that, on the offensive end, he has to make so many decisions for that offence to function well.

“I’m not sure there’s another big, maybe Xavier Cooks or Kristian Doolittle, that plays such a big role in terms of the offensive decision-making.”

Thursday’s Round 9 clash between Adelaide and Melbourne tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.