Sixers to make the 4.

Won't slip to Brisbane this year

They will be a legit tier 3 team with a massive chip on their shoulder.

Do they have enough chip-on-shoulder players left without Creek and Sobey? I guess Drmic is always a hothead and Froling too. DJ is pretty passive though. I couldn't even tell you their imports besides Ramone!

As usual they'll do better than the keyboard warriors on these pages constantly predict.

You would think people on here would know by now that stocking up on big names does not equal success in this league... but you won't find the brightest bunch on hoops.com.au

Madgen and Wesley are veteran throw outs? Ok

"Do they have enough chip-on-shoulder players left without Creek and Sobey?"

That Bijan kid showed he had a few bags on each shoulder from the bench...

On paper I don't think we are at the level of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Barring some major mishap, those 3 teams should be in the playoffs.

On the balance of probabilities, the other 6 teams are fighting for 1 playoff spot.

I really can't tell who would make it.

I think the Sixers have a decent chance to make the 4. DJ is still good enough to give the opposition bigs trouble on the scoreboard. Ramone Moore is solid import, I expect the same from Griffin, Taylor I don't know enough of.

Sobey is a big loss but we should have Drmic and Moore to cover that. My big hope is Froling will get to the next level, he may even take more of DJ's time.

Having said all that if I try to look at it logically and without bias, I would have to say the Hawks for the 4th place.

Think the most promising DP is Johnson. Joey says he's the fastest guard in the NBL already. I’ve seen him in action, the kid is good when he has the ball in his hands and will lock down anyone. Not afraid of the challenge. Once he gets a chance I feel like he won’t disappoint. Can’t wait to see him and mudronja play. They’re exciting! Don’t know enough about ayre to comment. Also michael Harris, when he matures, will be promising as well. Reminds me of Gliddon.

Bit early to write them off! Need to see what kind of impact the two new imports have. If Griffin is as advertised then he could play the Childress role next to DJ that was so instrumental in the Sixers grand final appearance two seasons back. If Taylor can genuinely shoot the three and defend at a high level, then he's a much better fit alongside Moore than Sobey.

Two more big questions for me are:
1) The Sixers no longer look like they have the personnel for a high octane brand of basketball. Will they change their style to suit their roster?
2) How will they defend big athletic wings? I like Drmic's hustle and his offensive potential, but he (and the team) struggled to stop the likes of White, TeRangi, etc last season. Can he improve there? Or is there another option for the Sixers? I feel this is a big weakness for them.

If the imports are legit and we get good seasons from Froling and Drmic, then the Sixers are definitely top 4 material. If not, then it could be a really ugly debut season at the Ent Cent!

Agreed with that rundown

BJ can shoot. He's a bit off and on, but who wouldn’t be if starling and mcveigh are combining 65-70 shots a game. Hard to find a rhythm for anyone. I’ve seen the guy at a few practices last year. There were a few where he looked like the best player on the team to be quite honest. Don’t write the kid off. He has a lot of mental growing to do though, but his skills from what I’ve seen are already NBL level easily.

On Ninenews, last nite - They gonna have a selection panel for the captain.
Used to be players votes.
Ramone Moore's fist day at training, arriving back from overseas.
Point guard, Taylor has been the highlight of training, lighting up the court.

Joey of course, but I don't think they said who else.