Kings need to move on from Ware, or he needs to move on from the NBL period like Randle.

NZ should try and retain Randolph and add a more mobile Centre, but shouldn't need to change much, just not have to be stuck in Australia for most of the season.

Cairns - If they can get Oliver and Newbill back then that should be enough, if not they might need to blow it up.

Adelaide - start with some decent imports.

Bullets - A new coach might make the current team a bit more competitive? Get Patterson to drop 10kgs.

I doubt Space Cam will be back he is NBA bound for sure after they way he played for the Rockets.

He played three games for a team doing their utmost to lose, against teams in similar positions. Hopefully he does stick though, would love to see him eye roll his way through a full season with coaches who will hold him to account.

There are far inferior players in the NBA right now. Like Georges Niang.

Brisbane's current imports are an interesting case. Law probably the stand-out, BJ has shown that he is definitely worth a spot, and we (I) know how good Patterson can be, even in this out-of-shape shape. Not sure that there has been a 2, 3, 4 import combination before. But, could it work? We have seen Patterson and BJ work well together, how will Law fit? Do you let 2 go to keep 1, t'other way round or keep all 3?

Of course, that depends on whose around them. With the current roster, Bullets have 3 better-than-serviceable bigs in Hodgson, Froling and Harrison, a couple of good mids, Drmic and Krebs, a couple of good PGs, Cadee and Wigness. And Sobey.

A starting 5 of Sobey, Law, Patterson, BJ and Hodgson/Harrison would be formidable. And these guys are all team oriented, it seems, so no problems with only 1 ball on the court to play with.

The bench, Cadee, Wigness, Drmic, Krebs, and the other 2 bigs, is more than adequate. Not as a 2nd unit though, like MU can, and do, do. More like Perth with a couple of starters always out there.

Throw a coach into the mix and I, for one, would like to see that!

I'm tempted to blame injuries for some of these teams, but reality is when injuries are hitting everyone, you can't use it as an excuse.

Its' too difficult to talk about lessons. In a league like the NBL, half the team turns over every season so most of the time, it's more about starting over than applying lessons.

A few comments for each team:

Cairns- Realistically needs everything to go right to make playoffs. Nail your import selections, have a good run with injuries, play at your peak much of the time.

NZ- In hindsight, it was stupid of any of us to think they were a playoffs chance. Playing so many away games killed them. As did thinking Lamar would get himself into shape like he did the last couple of years.

Adelaide- Pick better imports next time. "MVP' Donald Sloane- MVP of what? NBL1? Paul was an upgrade but too late.

Brisbane- Perpetually a mediocre team. Always seem to finish 5th or 6th every year. Need to develop their young talent- Froling's career seems to have stalled but he's still very young, as is Harrison.

Kings- Casper was alright. Follow the recipe of the other power clubs with an Aussie core (like UTD have with CG, McCarron, Barlow 3+ yr players and now Peatling and White on 3 yr deals. Perth with Norton, Wagstaff etc) and find the right imports each year to complement them. Vasiljevic looks good, Hunter has taken steps forward this year, Moller is a quality role player - start by trying to lock those 3 into long term deals.

In summary - 3 year deals are a good thing I reckon. Continuity and stability can be helpful in a topsy turvy league.

https://www.hoops.com.au/forum/47973-nbl-21-ladder-predictions/

9. Cairns
Made the most of their pop up stadium, but probably suffered from a light roster. 2 "Away" wins is always hard. New coach next year and a ew roster changes might work in their favour to make them a bit more competitive.

This club refused to play in Townsville (logical choice) and jumped up and down until taxpayers had to build them a stadium at the start of the year.

Despite having that advantage, despite having the best import duo locked inbefore anyone else had theirs, despite having Jawai, King and Duffelmeier who all proved to be capable when given minutes, Cairns finished dead last by a big margin.

Yes Deng and Noi had injuries, but neither were exactly setting the world on fire and their replacements did a decent enough job. Oliver was barely interested the whole season and prefered being a stetch big plus the occassional dunk.

Cairns are pure trash, then what do you expect from a franchise where the singlet hanging from the rafter is Grabeau. The only lesson they can learn is try to find good imports and keep them interested.


8. New Zealand
Sure they got the worst 'draw' ever imaginable, but thats not anyone's 'fault', nor are the injuries to Websters and Abercrombie.
Rob Loe, for the second time decided Australia wasn't for him and he needed to go back to Mum. That mental weakness is on him and the Breakers.
Other than 2 x 20 rebound performances, Colton Iverson is awful, Fatterson was awful, Randolph is hot and cold.
There is no lesson here, in a more stable season where covid is less of an impact they'd probably finish 6th instead.

7. Adelaide
Injuries were an issue (Humphries).
I had thought with Humphires and Dech plus 2 new imports and a new coach would usher in a new era of better defence, thankfully we had DJ, and the 2 new imports to stop said ushering.
The coaching was average.
Pinder was more awful than good. McVeigh improved his shot making, hopefully one day he will work on decision making.

The lesson...clear it all out and restart.


6. Bullets
This is an average team at best. Froling moves the needle towards empty. Drmic is serviceable, Spudee slightly regressed from MIP.
Thankfully Hodgson decided not to exercise his covid opt out clause.
Fatterson only returned because both parties got desperate and wanted to hold onto something familiar, the result is even worse. 2 seasons ago thinner All NBL Patterson took Brisbane to the Semis where Perth got the broom out.

Lesson, get Law back.


5. Kings
Kings were supposed to make the playoffs, this is a massive failure year. Partly it was injuries but they weren't setting the world on fire pre DJ Achilles or Lazada NBA out. Still can't believe Lazada got that call. There were just not enough help for Ware and Martin.

Highlight of Forde's career is his post game presser.

Lesson, clear out all the dead wood, hopefully Bogut can bring in some contacts when he is done scrolling through Cambage's Insta.

Lovebroker, Rob Loe's mental weakness?
He went home because his wife had given birth and he probably wanted to be in their lives

Breakers have said they may not be able to bring back both Tai Webster and WMW back next season.
I believe they are in talks with Iverson and Randoplh about possible returns next season.

Import / WMW
C.Web / Bach
Randolph / Abercrombie
Delaney / Galloway
Iverson /Loe

Leaves an import up their sleeve for injury replacement and looks competitive enough on paper as long as it isn't another season on the road.