Can and will are two very different things. Can they? Yeah sure as long as someone takes out Melbourne for us in the playoffs, I'd back us to beat either Perth or NZ.

Not much chance if we run into Melbourne though.

The moment they get slowed down they're boned

No

It's what they play for and they have the talent. I'd like to see the play Perth and NZ too. Reckon both those teams would be keen to avoid Adelaide. Melbourne is providing to be this years bogey team.

Right now I'm picking Melbourne and yes I'm a Perth fan.
Perth have no proven third scorer.

Perth still favourites for mine

I think Adelaide are a chance. They have the talent and a good import contingent.

Their upcoming games are against teams outside the four (then two Wildcats games after that).

vs Taipans
at Kings
vs Hawks
at Hawks
at Bullets

You'd pick them to make the four, then if they're without injuries and hitting form at the right time, they're a decent shot.

Grand seesers la magnifique..

36ers bench is superior to the other 3 teams. In a final series that will be telling IMO

Deng , Drmic, Moore, Hodgson/ Childress is where the war will be won

Don't know how you could flat out say no to this question.
We have 3 solid at worst imports who could all fire on any given night. Childress isn't his old dominant self, but he's been building throughout the season. Moore is a really efficient leader of the second unit. Shorter is hot and cold, but makes a big difference on the offensive and defensive end on his good night.
We have Creek, who is at least a top 3 Aussie in the league. Has been a little slow coming back from injury, but should be firing by the time Playoffs come around.
Then we have 4 other Aussies who are capable of high level play in DJ, Sobey, Drmic (assuming he returns) and Deng. And we have Hodgson, who hasn't been great of late, but is solid on his night.
And hopefully we won't use Teys once Playoffs start.
I think we're the least reliant of all the teams on a select few.
If Tokoto and Cotton don't fire in the Playoffs, Perth will get bundled out (Cotton has so far proven to be a big game player and Tokoto can flat out ball, so this likely won't happen).
The list Melbourne have built hasn't proven to be able to put it together when it matters, yet. Not sure what the Prather situation is, and Felix hasn't played enough to know if he's an adequate replacement for him yet. They've proven consistently to have our number this year, so they're our biggest issue.
We've beaten New Zealand twice in the last few weeks. I feel they're going to regret not bringing in the third import. I don't think their local unit is overly great (Vukona and Penney are getting on a bit and I can't see them being able to lift their game come Playoffs, like they used to), Newbill is a pretty hot and cold and Sosa can only do so much.
I wouldn't say we're favourites by any stretch, but I can't see a valid reason why you could just flat out write us off. I think we have as much chance this year as we have in any of the last 4 or 5 times that we've been a genuine chance.

Adelaide could just as easily win a series 2-0 as lose 0-2 to any of the top 4 or 5 teams in the comp. They've got the most upside of any team in the comp IMO, but have turned in some ordinary performances this season.

I think once you are in the major round, it's a different ball game.

Anyone has a chance as anything can happen. As it is 90% mental at that level, players who have the ability to handle pressure and to perform under that pressure will.

We've beaten New Zealand twice in the last few weeks. I feel they're going to regret not bringing in the third import.

Christmas joining will have people saying NZ for the title, i don't agree. takes time to gel, i doubt it will happen in time for Breakers to really see christmas dominate.

Adelaide can will the title, yep. Sobey has more up his sleeve... Childress is getting better.

The group love Joey and Creek is getting beastly again post injury.

Breakers signed a third import just the other day - Rakeem Christmas.

Oh, nice signing

The Christmas signing isn't official yet.

NBL FB announced the Christmas signing earlier today, so I'd say its official. I don't think it moves the needle much for NZ at this stage, should have made a move earlier. Odds of Christmas struggling to stay out of foul trouble are equal to or better than his odds of being a dominant force inside.

Oh okay lol I hadn't checked the NBL site today just the Breakers twitter feed.

What his signing does say and the fact Loe had been inserted into the starting lineup is they've really given up on Pledger now.

NZ have had quite a few games where Pledger, Loe and Vukona have all been in foul trouble.
Christmas gives them even more depth and more flexibility in their line ups and adds another dimension offensively.

He'll play a similar role to the one Ebekwe did, catch lobs, hit open jumpers and protect the rim.

Yes it takes time to gel but this is one player, not a squad plus having played and trained a couple of seasons with the Pacers in the NBA one would expect his Basketball IQ to be reasonably high so picking up plays won't be a major issue. He's just been playing in Turkey so he'll be familiar with Fiba rules but the Refs will take some adjustment.

NZ are in 3rd with the same Win/Loss as Perth & Melbourne so it's not like huge changes if any were really required but this should make them even better.

Something had to be done in case you ran into Adelaide in the playoffs.

3.8 fouls in 16 minutes in 5 Eurocup games, a little better in the BSL. Foul trouble has plagued him going back to college, and with the way refs treat import bigs here, he's going to be lucky to make it through a defensive possession without being called for something.

Then NZ have 15 fouls a game to give using legit bigs without having to resort to small ball

Melbourne lose aware they lose finals.

I think Adelaide has she's wn enough in bits and pieces against Melbourne that we can beat them. Melb had Adel in the bag last game and then all off a sudden it crumbled fast and if they weren’t saved by some seriously flawed calls, Adel still a game on their home caught.

It all comes down to who you can suit up during the finals. Melb lose Ware or Prather and they look vulnerable. Sixers lose Creek or Johnson and we are stuck. Perth lose Martin and they are done. Breakers lose any off their old guard and that would be enough.

Sixers looking better as a complete package this season compared to last.

Just quietly, United is a steal at $2.60 in Perth on Friday

36ers won't make top 4

Melbourne and NZ would be tough match-up with their size, especially if Christmas turns out ok. Small-ball run-n-gun may need to rely on the refs during Finals, which doesn't bode well when your coach is Joey.

If any of the top 4 gets in form at the right time they could win it

But I reckon The top 3 have the defense and the structure that gives them a higher probability of succeeding under finals pressure

Which is to say that Adelaide are my 4th pick of the 4.

My tip is still Perth, and United's recent form, and Felix a good fit now has them my number 2.

Long way to go. A good chance of 3 tight playoff series

Melbourne Boy.

nice throw away statement.

36ers WILL make top 4, they just wont win the title.

I am a 36ers fan.

I dont think we can win the Title this season.

Reasons:

-We lack an X-Factor down the stretch. In the playoffs you sometimes need to be able to throw the ball to your stud and let them find a way to get you a score

-Defense is usually more important than Offense and the 36ers struggle to stop teams, particularly in the paint

-I think Melb now have the best team and the 36ers match up very poorly against them

-I think Perth would beat Adel in the playoffs given how much better defensively they are. Id feel more confident beating Perth than I would Melb though

I think Perth are looking a bit shakey at the moment. United are looking pretty good. NZ look old and slow but have a new guy in the mix that could make all the difference. Adelaide would need to stay consistent to be in the mix and Sobey hitting some form may be the winning formula (I'm not holding my breathe).

If Melbourne don't meet Adelaide in the semis and get knocked out by who they play I'd be very confident.

Had Adelaide faced NZ or Perth they would quite possibly be 2018 champions.

A shame they are playing Melbourne instead.

Melbourne look better than they are because Perth and Melbourne got old and fell back in the pack and Sydney and Brisbane have been poorly run/ coached.

Anyone take my tip of United to win in Perth at $2.60?