Import looms as key in 36ers' championship success

The Adelaide 36ers were just seconds away from winning the franchise's fifth championship during the Hungry Jack's NBL26 Season.

Rather, Bryce Cotton's last-ditch lay-up missed and the Sydney Kings ended up winning in overtime.

Instead of blowing it up under new coach Trevor Gleeson, the Sixers brought back the majority of their core, with Bul Kuol being the lone key addition. While the same pieces may be on the squad, many believe different roles may be in store for the 36ers players, especially if they want to go one step further than last season.

In particular, 2018 NBL champion Pete Hooley believes one of the team's imports, and not Bryce Cotton, looms as their key.

"It's super weird to say for a team that has a six-time MVP [Bryce Cotton] on it, but Zylan Cheatham's the key for their championship success," Hooley said on NBL Now.

"We saw it last year, when he was in attack mode, he was being aggressive, trying to put points on the board, Adelaide were winning basketball games.

"In the end, Bryce Cotton's greatness is going to be Bryce Cotton's greatness, you're always going to get that.

"How easy you can make it for Bryce Cotton is the best case scenario for Adelaide.

"But having Zylan Cheatham in attack mode in that power forward spot, he's one of the best athletes in the League.

"The combo he had with Isaac Humphries [was impressive].

"[Overall] I really like their hunger, and how they've put all the pieces together, but Zylan is the key."

Echoing his sentiment was fellow panellist Lanard Copeland, who knows how dangerous an aggressive Cheatham can be for the League.

"We know he can do all the little things but last year, I was hearing they didn't want him to shoot a lot," Copeland said.

"But this year, you got to take advantage of his athleticism, and the way he plays.

"He's happy to be back [in Adelaide], as you've seen [on socials] with him high-fiving and hugging everyone.

"I believe if he plays a different role and he's more aggressive on the offensive end, it makes them a better [team]."

The 36ers open their NBL27 campaign against Melbourne at John Cain Arena on Saturday, September 19.

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