PERTH, WA -- That's Round 1 in the books.
It didn't look like a usual opening round -- taking place entirely in Perth, as part of the inaugural HoopsFest -- but it matters all the same.
The 2024-25 NBL regular season opened with a Championship Series rematch that, while close, felt one-sided throughout, and ended with a high-octane, intense matchup between a Sydney Kings team that most are picking to win it all, and an Adelaide 36ers lineup that features a guy who's likely to become the most entertaining player in the NBL.
The hype and pageantry of the first ever HoopsFest was largely enjoyable -- and both the league and Western Australian Government saw the week as a success -- but all eyes were, naturally, on the court as teams played their first meaningful games.
Here are some things we learned from the NBL's opening round.
Ups and downs for the Kings, but Jaylen Adams may be severely underrated
It's interesting that Adams -- a one-time NBL MVP -- is often an afterthought when discussing this Kings team.
We talk about the return of Xavier Cooks, and Alex Toohey's leap, and what Bul Kuol can bring, and a heap more, but it does take a while to even mention Adams.
He made sure to flip that sentiment, and early. The point guard opened the new season with a personal 8-0 run -- a pair of threes and one of his patented floaters -- forcing a quick Mike Wells timeout.
Adams would go on to finish with 25 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, committing zero turnovers in his 31 minutes on the floor. It's one of the best games we've seen Adams play in his time in the NBL, and a reminder that, despite some inconsistency last season, he's still one of the best players in the NBL.
"Win, lose, or draw, all year, I'll be sitting here and say, 'that's my guy, that's my guy'," Kings head coach Brian Goorjian said of Adams, postgame.
"I know I've got a great basketball player here, and a great competitor... when he was on the floor, everyone around him was better. Clutch, he made the big plays, he got everybody involved; and, the other aspect, he defended like a winner. I knew, as soon as he walked in the gym and he started playing, [that] I've got a good one."
There were ups and downs for the Kings. They had some cracks defensively that need cleaning up, and got inconsistent production and impact from their bench unit. On the other side of the coin, their ability to force turnovers and crash the offensive glass is elite, Cooks' ability to change games is extremely high-level, and the lineup of Adams-Kuol-Toohey-Cooks-Oliver may be the most effective five-man group in the league.
Still, amid all of that, Adams was the standout, and deserves his flowers.
PJC is the elite of the elite
There's still no point guard in the NBL who can create advantages as effectively as Parker Jackson-Cartwright can.
The dynamic point guard had the ball on a string all game in the New Zealand Breakers' win over the Bullets on Saturday, snaking on-balls and getting to his spots in order to create for himself and others. The Breakers were 8-of-12 from deep in the first half, which could feel like an anomaly, but they were largely great looks created by the penetration of Jackson-Cartwright.
He finished with 20 points and 11 assists in the win -- an NBL career-high in dimes -- and really only saw some legitimate resistance in stretches with Sam McDaniel on the floor.
For whatever the perception of the Breakers' lack of talent and preparedness is, Jackson-Cartwright's ability to manufacture offence seemingly out of nothing can keep them in games and, as he showed on Saturday, win them too.
The Breakers secure their first win of NBL25 despite a strong comeback from the Bullets late in the fourth quarter.
A welcome sign for Ben Henshall
The Perth Wildcats' win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix in their season opener may have also been the most complete game we've seen from Ben Henshall through his young NBL career.
Henshall checked into the game midway through the first quarter and immediately made an impact, finding Bryce Cotton for a three, before pulling up and hitting one of his own a few minutes later. The 20-year-old ate up the majority of the backup point guard minutes behind Tai Webster, and looked like the ideal fit in that position next to Cotton; Henshall is better able to spread the floor, as well as place with pace.
It was probably also the best defensive game Henshall has played as a Wildcat, with the point guard largely staying in front effectively, while showing a ton of activity off the ball.
The game -- rather, the opportunity -- was a welcome sign for Henshall, who was refined to the bench for practically all of last season. Even when the end of Henshall's first stint on the floor on Friday was just so-so, head coach John Rillie made sure he got another opportunity; an occurrence that probably wouldn't have happened a year ago. Henshall would finish the game with 10 points and seven assists, shooting 2-of-4 from downtown, with the team a +15 with him on the floor.
What seems certain is that Henshall will continue to get that opportunity at the point for these Wildcats, and he's demonstrated enough of a development leap to expect him to be effective in those minutes.
There are some questions the Phoenix need to answer
Darius Days lead the Illawara Hawks to a massive victory over the Cairns Taipans, starting their NBL25 campaign on a perfect note.
There are two key things that will be at the front of mind for the Phoenix after their loss to the Wildcats.
The first is where those secondary ball-carrying minutes go. We know that the bulk of the primary point guard minutes are with Derrick Walton Jr., who's one of the best initiators in the league. When he checked out, it was Nathan Sobey who took control of the ball-carrying, with varying success; the 34-year-old had four assists, but five turnovers.
In the back end of the fourth quarter, we saw those possessions go to Owen Foxwell, and he showed some promise. Mike Kelly confirmed after the game that he's still evaluating those ball-carrying minutes, and that Foxwell would continue to get an opportunity. With things having the propensity to get stagnant with Walton Jr. off the ball, deciphering who effectively runs the point in his absence is important going forward.
The other thing the Phoenix would want to learn to work through is something we flagged going into the season, and that's how to approach the minutes when Jordan Hunter isn't on the floor.
The Phoenix were a +1 with Hunter on the floor -- in an eight-point loss -- and it's very clear how much they lose on both ends of the floor when the big-man isn't in the game. Defensively, he's their anchor, but losing his ability as a roll threat and creator from the top of the key hurts the Phoenix in a significant way.
Matt Hurt was the first option as the backup five, but we'll see if Kelly mixes things up. One option that's perhaps against the grain but could be effective in short bursts: Malique Lewis at the five. There would be some switchabiity and pace with that lineup, as well as the ability to play five out on the offensive end.
Hunter mentioned postgame that he's seeking the balance of being effective defensively while also preserving fouls; a reliable backup in his position would more-than-likely ease a lot of that pressure.
Montrezl Harrell can be really effective here
It's tough to think of an NBL comparison for what Montrezl Harrell showed on Sunday afternoon.
The big-man, in his first game as a member of the Adelaide 36ers, came off the bench and immediately put his stamp on their game against the Sydney Kings. Harrell finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds -- three offensive -- in his just-over-20 minutes, and the 36ers were +23 in his time on the floor. Naturally, he did it with his unique flair and intensity roaring at everyone from the crowd, to the opposition, and even his teammates.
"It was fun," Kings guard Adams said of playing against Harrell.
"He's a competitor, a big physical guy. I thought he played good tonight; for somebody who got here a week ago, too. It was fun to compete. It kind of brought the best out of me, and I think it brought the best out of a lot of guys."
The motor and physicality he plays with is unique for bigs in the NBL this season. The only comparison that felt somewhat on target was perhaps a bigger Jae'Sean Tate; someone who'll finish around the rim, bang, hustle for every board, and play bigger than he is. We've seen that style of player be effective in this league and, if his first outing is anything to go by, Harrell will make a material impact on the success of this 36ers team.
Also, "engaging with the crowd" is fine
The warning issued to Montrezl Harrell for inciting the crowd was rescinded. This was communicated to Montrezl during the game. Here's his reaction after being told. pic.twitter.com/4TVttL3GhZ
— NBL (@NBL) September 22, 2024
It was the third quarter when Harrell hit a bunch of free throws to give the 36ers the lead, and he proceeded to hype up the crowd.
"Do not engage with the crowd," a referee said to Harrell, before handing the big-man a warning.
Now, the FIBA rules state that "using language or gestures to offend or incite the spectators" will result in a technical foul. Harrell's gesture was seemingly encouraging the crowd to get loud in order to demonstrate their growing support for him and his team. It's hardly incitement, and objectively not offensive.
Let's -- and I cannot stress this enough -- not.
What does Dylan Windler need to be?
Bryce Cotton and Keanu Pinder combine for 55 points in the Perth Wildcats opening victory over the Phoenix at RAC Arena.
Rillie said something interesting in his press conference before Friday's game.
It was regarding Windler, and the role he's hoping the former NBA wing plays for the Wildcats.
"He's played in the NBA the last four years in a particular role [but] I actually want him to be a bit more aggressive and probably play a little bit more how he was in college," the Wildcats head coach said.
"It's gonna be a relearning, recalibrating for him to get that aggressive mindset, versus running to the corners, shooting spot-up threes, and crashing the rebounds, because his versatility and skillset allows him to do a little bit more than that."
Against the Phoenix, Windler came off the bench for six points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, playing more of a connecting role than a starring one. In a game like this, that was all the Wildcats needed; Cotton got his 26 points, while Keanu Pinder finished with a game-high 29 points of his own.
The question then becomes: do the Wildcats really need the Belmont version of Windler, or will the elite role playing one suffice? It's reasonable to think that, as long as the Wildcats can get a solid level of collective production from the trio of Windler, Doolittle, and one of Webster, Henshall, or Izan Almansa, then they may not absolutely need that other star every game. Of course, Windler probably has the capacity to be that star, and it'd be mightily helpful for the Wildcats if he can be it, but the mentality of only needing him as a connecting piece would eliminate the pressure on him -- and the team -- to be hyper-productive as he's still finding his spots in the league.
A lot to like about the Hawks frontcourt trio
It's difficult to take away too much from the Illawarra Hawks' win over an undermanned Cairns Taipans team on Saturday, but the rotation of bigs was a clear positive for Justin Tatum's team.
The Hawks start games with Sam Froling and Darius Days in the frontcourt, before slotting in Lachlan Olbrich at either spot.
Days (20 points and 12 rebounds) and Olbrich (12 points and 11 rebounds) both had double-doubles, while Froling had 19 points and eight rebounds of his own, with the trio excelling against what's widely regarded as a solid and unique Taipans frontcourt rotation.
What's fun about the trio is how the versatility of Days and Olbrich make for a lot of opportunities for Tatum to mix and match.
Olbrich's hyper-mobility and ability to stretch the floor means he can come in and play the four next to Froling, but he also has the size and ability to finish inside that warrants him getting minutes at the five, alongside the three-level scoring and athleticism of Days. Because of what's clearly looking like a substantial leap from the 20-year-old, the Hawks can have two quality frontcourt players on the floor at all times, which is an incredible luxury.
Same old Bullets
The indicators for the Brisbane Bullets in their loss on Saturday weren't great.
They were down by as many as 26 points midway through the third quarter, in a game where they couldn't contain the penetration of Jackson-Cartwright but, more tellingly, weren't able to create any advantages on the other end.
"Pathetic performance by us," head coach Justin Schueller said postgame.
"Not at the level for that entire first half... We brought the bench unit in that played to the standard that we expect. Super disappointing because we went through a year of this last year, where we left things too late. Commendable effort by us to put some fight in, and make a game of it, but that's not who we wanna be and not the standard we expect."
Tyrell Harrison's imposition in the post is the Bullets' best weapon, but the team was stunned by the early doubles the Breakers were sending, so the ball was rarely fed to him throughout the game. James Batemon struggled as an initiator, as a heap of the Bullets' possessions just ended up with players iso-ing at the end of the shot clock. That style of basketball -- one that doesn't generate high-quality looks -- was what this team experienced last season with the ball-dominant game of Sobey and below-average imports. Saturday evening looked like more of the same.
The Bullets' bench unit changed the tide in the third quarter, to an extent, facilitating ball movement and guarding on a string, but the momentum they created was too late. The late run the Bullets went on was, as Schueller said, commendable, but it'd be fool's gold to think that was any indication of what this team actually is right now.
Whether it's Schueller digging deeper into his bench or putting Batemon in better positions to succeed, the Bullets need to find some cohesion on the offensive end if they're going to compete consistently this season.