Hoops

Does anyone rate Adelaide to win title?

I hope they do average 50 free throws a game. It will mean teams are struggling even more than previously to defend against their game style. And the refs aren't scared to call too many fouls on bad defence just to keep the foul count down and please opposition fans.

Not a hope in hell. Currently paying $15. 6'ers were last now the Hawks are.

If they keep averaging 50 free throw attempts a game anything can happen.

I think they've got a chance. Wiley is looking like he could be as good as Childress, DeLeon seems to be a better shooter and better off the dribble than Shorter and Drmic has the potential to give the Sixers better scoring than Creek and almost as much hustle. Deng looks ready to improve and have a more consistent impact than last season too. It's certainly possible that this team will be better than last season's edition and if they do that, then I think they have a shot at the title.

In terms of title chances with current roster though and without any import changes, you'd have to say unlikely.

It would rely on someone - or several players- significantly increasing their output on last season, and the two new imports being better than most of us here are expecting- especially Deleon.

That would be enough to put them right in the mix.

Possible of course, but highly unlikely.

36ers could replace an import at some stage.

Randle and Childress both arrived mid season.

Johnson is a quality Aussie. Sobey is decent. If Deng steps up as most of us think he could, then possibilities start opening up for this team.

Even without Creek they've got a group who's together for 3rd year in a row.

You can't count them out

Doesn't Wiley effectively replace one of Childress or Creek? Similar position and not crazily different style?

36ers tempo hasn't changed much. Their three game scores were 98, 108, 97.

DeLeon's shooting over three games: 2/5, 9/12, 4/11 (with 7/7 FT). Not bad for a guard.

They could be interesting.

A lot depends on players being able to take leaps in form and confidence as they develop. Joey Wright has been great with developing his younger blokes and backing them in. Looking forward to seeing how they go this year.

I don't think they will be as bad as first predicted.. but probably not grand finals bound or probably not even finals.
Drmic early contender for most improved though.. as much as that sucks lol

Might be in the mix. Seems like Wiley is handy, and the rest are known factors which is worth a bit in the league.

They'll need a few MIP candidates to make up for Creeks loss. If Drmic and Deng step up scoring wise and Sobey has consistent MVP season then there's a good chance. Not at all sold on Kings, how many times have big name players been wheeled out in twilight of career and the team struggled.

Cairns will win it all.

And by Cairns, I mean NZ.

And by NZ I mean Melbourne.

And by Melbourne I mean Sydney.

Melbourne again easy.

Not if Vaughn Mayberry is still a ref ha ha!