OKLAHOMA CITY — On Sept. 28, the Adelaide 36ers, seventh-place team in Australia’s 10-team National Basketball League, boarded a commercial flight at 6 a.m. A few players were in business class, while the rest of the staff and roster squeezed into coach.
As strange as it sounds, the team made connections in Sydney, Los Angeles, and finally arrived in Phoenix at lunchtime on the same day. They stopped for lunch and immediately headed to Arizona State for practice. This was in preparation for a three-game American visit.
“We are able to understand what job we have to do,” said Craig Randall II shooting guard. Randall II was more well-known than last season, despite scoring 26.7 points per game in the G League’s Long Island Nets. It’s not about winning these NBA games. It’s all about preparing for the NBL Season.”
Point guard and team captain Mitch McCarronPreseason games against NBA teams in Melbourne United were 0-4 for Corey.
This is an understatement considering that the 36ers were created. the first team from Down Under to defeat an NBA opponentIt’s a shocking sight Phoenix Suns Sunday at the Footprint Center
“It reached about halfway through the fourth, and we’re all just sort of pinching ourselves,” stated a veteran NBL player. Sunday DechHis past teammates include Charlotte Hornets Star LaMelo Ball Oklahoma City Thunder foundation piece Josh Giddey.
Adelaide’s 134-124 win was the first preseason loss to an NBA team against an international team since EuroLeague powerhouse Real Madrid won 142-137 at home over Thunder in 2016. A 17-year-old named Luka Doncic Los Blancos: Three points, four assists, five rebounds
Yes, it was preseason. With 4:29 left in the third quarter, they pulled their starters. Chris Paul, Devin Booker Co. shaved a 12-point halftime deficit to three.
The 36ers won despite being able to shoot from deep, shooting 24-of-43 from 3-point range — beating the team with the NBA’s best record. It happened just two days after the 36ers defeated Overtime Elite 86-81. Overtime Elite is a program that offers six-figure salaries to talented teenagers. twin lottery prospects Amen and Ausar Thompson.
C.J. 36ers coach said, “Their stars played longer than they might have wanted to, just so they could punch out our lights out.” Bruton commented on the Suns. “We went toe – toe – when we had to, for a little while longer. They couldn’t shift the needle.
“I am thankful that we played as we did because it shows how competitive our league really is. Bruton is a second generation Australian hoops legend. He is the son of Cal, a New York City-raised American Immigrant who scored a league-high 33.2 point average during the NBL’s inaugural season in 1979. He also won six titles while playing for the NBL.
After leading Iowa Hills Community College in the NJCAA title, the younger Bruton was a Vancouver Grizzlies second-round draft selection in 1997. He went to training camp for the Grizzlies. Portland Trail Blazers And years later, he had a stint in the summer league with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bruton’s second season as a head coaching coach aims to follow his father in winning the NBL titles. The key to this mission is to make the most of three roster spots that the NBA gives to American imports.
Bruton “handpicked” three new players to fill those spots this offseason. He also poached wings Antonius Cleveland Robert FranksBoth players have a little bit of NBA experience, and both were able to play in the NBL last seasons, despite being from opposing teams. The 36ers filled the vacant spot by signing shooting guard Craig Randall II. Randall said that he declined invitations to the NBA camp in exchange for guaranteed money and the opportunity to start for Adelaide.
All of those imports have buyout clauses in contracts that allow them to be terminated if the NBA offers. They certainly made a difference in Phoenix. Randall scored 35 points for the Suns, scoring 9-of-17 on 3-point range. Franks had 32 points. Cleveland, the reigning NBL Defensive Player-of-the Year, added 22.
Giddey said, “That import trio will be a difficult one to beat in both the NBL and the NBA as a whole,” referring to Giddey who is an Australian player who played a season in the 36ers’ “Next Star”, program of the NBL before entering the NBA draft.
Even with star guard, the Thunder weren’t able to beat the 36ers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee), defensive stopping Lu Dort (concussion protocol), first-round rookies Chet Holmgren (season-ending foot injury), Ousmane Dieng (knee). Jalen Williams All other symptoms of streptococcal disease are ignored.
Oklahoma City jumped out to a double-digit lead halfway through the first quarter. At halftime, it was up 30 and continued its dominance. 131-98 winThis is the type of win that NBA teams enjoy against international foes, who often serve as Washington Generals-type foes after crossing oceans.
“How much caffeine does that guy have back there?” Bruton made a joke to a scout at the scorer’s table in the second quarter. “I need to wake up my guys.”
It would have made sense that the 36ers were drunk from celebrating their historic win. This is especially true considering that Scottsdale clubs are often a preferred stopover for NBA players when they travel to Phoenix. Adelaide’s players stated that they returned to the hotel following their win over Suns and spoke briefly before going to bed.
“We went to Top Golf that day. Cleveland shrugged, “I guess that’s the celebration.”
Franks stated, “We’re looking at the bigger picture this year.” “These games are huge for Australia and for us, but we have a championship mark we want to achieve.”
The 36ers’ success in Phoenix is not diminished by the OKC outing, nor does it diminish Adelaide’s confidence that they are a force in this season’s NBL. What happens when a team that appeared to be a world-beater earlier this week ends their American trip with such an exaggerated finish?
A halftime explanation by a NBA scout was via text.
“Suns must be disgusting.”