{"id":142073,"date":"2025-09-14T07:38:03","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T07:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/142073\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T07:38:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T07:38:03","slug":"why-bryce-is-number-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/142073\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Bryce is number one"},"content":{"rendered":"

Derek Rucker says Bryce Cotton is firmly established as one of the all-time greats in the Hungry Jack\u2019s NBL, and now has the chance to enhance his legacy by guiding Adelaide to its first Championship since 2002.<\/p>\n

Cotton shocked the basketball world with a stunning off-season switch from Perth, where he captured five MVP Awards, to the 36ers.<\/p>\n

At 33, Rucker believes the three-time champion remains the standout player in the league.<\/p>\n

\u201cBryce has made possibly the biggest move in NBL history,\u201d Rucker said, after ranking Cotton number one in his much talked about Top 15.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe in my mind is the second or third greatest player ever to play in the NBL.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought he had his best season as a pro last year with the Perth Wildcats.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rucker said Cotton enters this season with added motivation, determined to prove himself again despite his brilliance last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re looking for motivation, any slide misstep by the media, or someone discounting your talent, or not getting the respect, or the offer you wanted, it can trigger a disproportionate response from this brilliant player,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis guy is motivated. Imagine he can lead the Adelaide 36ers, a franchise that has not reached the promised land since 2002 \u2026 it has been a long time since they\u2019ve won a Championship.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he can get them back there, that adds so much more to his legacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he can reel off one, two championships and some more MVPs with the Adelaide 36ers, man, what does it do for his legacy?<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Adelaide make the post-season this year or make the top two, you can just ring Bryce Cotton up for his MVP Award. That\u2019s how great he is.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome people are going to be like, \u2018oh it\u2019s boring Bryce is number one\u2019, no it\u2019s not boring because we just had the greatest free agent move in NBL history and we get to see how it pans out in NBL26.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rucker ranked Cotton at number one, ahead of Kendric Davis at two, Montrezl Harrell, Parker Jackson-Cartwright at four, and Jack McVeigh at five.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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