The Adelaide 36ers take on the Townsville Crocodiles twice this week in the NBL and what better time than to make a personnel move that could make them a genuine title threat.
Former Crocs captain and reigning NBL MVP Brian Conklin was shown the door in Townsville last Monday, and he could be the perfect fit at the Sixers.
And if the 36ers took the bold move to sign him, then his two first appearances for Adelaide could be up against his old team of little more than a week ago – with the first game in Townsville on Thursday.
Adelaide management has shown it hasn’t been afraid to make moves to improve the team’s roster.
Last season, they released Daequon Montreal and signed Brock Motum which ended up being significant in them making the playoffs after a slow start.
Then earlier this season, import guard Kenyon McNeail made a slow start and was replaced by Jerome Randle, which has seen the 36ers possess potentially the best and most dynamic import in the NBL.
The only one to rival him at present is New Zealand Breakers point guard Cedric Jackson.
After losing to the Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United last round, the 36ers have slipped to a 7-8 record and can’t afford to tread water any longer. Otherwise, they risk losing touch with the top four – which look solids with Melbourne, Perth, New Zealand and Illawarra.
Right now it appears that former superstar and current veteran role player Ebi Ere is a luxury the 36ers can’t afford and that Conklin could make a massive difference to Adelaide’s ability to firstly make the playoffs, and then contend for the championship.
There is no doubting the career Ere has had, firstly at the University of Oklahoma and then in the NBL at the Sydney Kings, Brisbane Bullets and Melbourne Tigers before heading to Europe.
The reality is the 34-year-old is no longer the unstoppable scoring force he once was and the 36ers would be able to cover his production by giving more minutes and responsibility to Mitch Creek and Brendan Teys. Lucas Walker is also capable of spending more time in the three spot to help.
The addition of Conklin could make for an unstoppable frontcourt at Adelaide with him joining Anthony Petrie, Walker, Daniel Johnson and the currently injured Matt Hodgson.
The toughness provided by the combination of Petrie and Conklin would certainly intimidate the opposition. But Conklin is much more than that.
He averaged 18.9 points and 6.4 rebounds on the way to winning the league’s MVP last season. And despite being cut by the Crocs this season after they deemed he was underperforming, he was still averaging 13.5 points and 6.6 boards.
Conklin could very well be the final piece of the puzzle this current 36ers team needs to be a serious threat. While Ere is providing a handy 10.2 points off the bench, as an import it seems more of a luxury right now they can’t afford.
If he was a local, he would be certainly worth keeping but if someone like Conklin is ready and able to immediately come in and make you better, it’s a move the Adelaide management should consider.
And Adelaide might want to do it quickly because with Josh Childress again out after re-injuring his hand, the Sydney Kings could also do worse than make a call to Conklin who is still at home in Townsville with his young family.
Kell
Guest
Agree with Damo and Matthew, if Sixers were going to grab Conkiln they would have already done so. Ere's contract is now guaranteed for the season.
Chris Pike
Expert
I think Conklin is a good fit at Adelaide because they are a bit shallow in the front court - especially against Melbourne, Perth and NZ with just DJ, Petrie and a bit of Walker. To me, he's a perfect fit. His shooting percentage was the only thing down significantly this season. That could improve in a different system. His grunt would help them. Whether or not they can afford it, I'm not sure. It appears unlikely it will happen. My point is - with this current team I think they miss playoffs. By making the move I think they could go all the way
Matthew
Guest
Can Adelaide afford him though? Say they do cut Ebe.. they are at the point where they will have to pay him out and then have to find the money to pay for Conklin even if it for a short part of the season. Also why Conklin? Have you looked at his figures this season? THey hardly scream out 'pick me!'. I just dont think the cash strapped Adelaide have the juice to cut Ebe and replace him with Conklin. Its more than likely he would go to Sydney as a replacement.
Damo
Guest
Hi Chris, lots of talk on what Conklin will do next, though word is he is sunning himself on the beaches of Townsville. However I believe that Adel had the chance to cut Ere yesterday without having to pay out his contract, but didn't. So it would be mind boggling if they did it in the next couple of weeks and be forced to pay him out. I'm not sure they're in a financial position to do that? The top four of Perth, Melb, NZ, Illawarra may well be set before we get to half way in the season.