![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\nAs the NBL finals loom, storylines are heating up both on and off the court. <\/p>\n
Sydney Kings star Kendric Davis has revealed he has \u201cfallen in love\u201d with Australia and is already in early talks about a return next season, while Adelaide 36ers guard Dejan Vasiljevic has pushed back against commentator and former NBL player Damon Lowery\u2019s claim that the team is \u201cnot playing good basketball,\u201d insisting the focus remains on the court and letting results speak for themselves ahead of their semi-final clash with the South East Melbourne Phoenix.<\/p>\n
All of this and more in the latest edition of NBL Daily.<\/p>\n
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Watch live coverage of the NBL Finals with ESPN on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018HE\u2019S A BIT DELUSIONAL\u2019<\/p>\n Adelaide 36ers guard Dejan Vasiljevic has hit back at Lowery\u2019s comments that the team is \u201cnot playing good basketball\u201d on the latest episode of NBL Now.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe already know Damon Lowery has said a few things about us,\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a bit delusional because he thought Melbourne United was the best team, you know, in the league ever. And when you start 9-0 and you get knocked out, I think you did really well on your expert analysis….\u201d Vasiljevic said, referencing Lowery\u2019s statement about Melbourne United back in October last year after they started 9-0, when he predicted they would go undefeated in 2025.<\/p>\n Despite the outside noise, Vasiljevic said the club\u2019s focus remains on basketball, letting their results speak for themselves.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do listen a bit, but we kind of don\u2019t buy into it because it\u2019s an ongoing thing. People love to talk about the city of Adelaide, um, either in the wrong or when we\u2019re winning. And, you know, we just have to put that noise aside and let the basketball do talking.\u201d<\/p>\n CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 17: Dejan Vasiljevic of the 36ers drives to the basket during the round 13 NBL match between Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers at AIS Arena, on December 17, 2025, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Lowery earlier declared the Adelaide 36ers are \u201cnot playing good basketball\u201d heading into their semi-finals clash, saying the team will need far more support around reigning MVP Bryce Cotton if they are to challenge the South East Melbourne Phoenix.<\/p>\n Speaking on NBL Overtime, Lowery said Cotton will likely deliver his usual scoring output, but the result may hinge on the players around him.<\/p>\n \u201cBryce, let\u2019s just pencil him in for 40. Let\u2019s just say 40. I think he\u2019s going to need that 40, but it\u2019s the other guys. The other guys have really got to step up. We haven\u2019t seen the best of John Jenkins yet, but it\u2019s going to be for mine, Nick Rakocevic and Isaac Humphries.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be them two because Jordan Hunter is only probably going to play maybe 15 to 20 minutes a game. The matchup advantage I\u2019ve seen for the 36ers is that right there with the bigs.\u201d<\/p>\n NBL commentator Damon Lowery on the Adelaide 36ers chances.Source: getty<\/p>\n Lowery believes Adelaide enters the series without its best form, while South East Melbourne arrives with momentum.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, I just think that Adelaide are not playing good basketball right now and Southeast Melbourne Phoenix are. That\u2019s why. Now, let me just say this, too. This could surprise you. Even though I don\u2019t think Adelaide 36ers can win it, if they were to win it, I would be ecstatic. I would be over the moon with joy because I have a personal deep close attachment to that organization. If the 36ers win it, I might cry real tears.\u201d<\/p>\n The Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix open their semi-finals series tonight in Adelaide at 7:30pm AEDT.<\/p>\n Fallen NBL giants face reset after back-to-back GF heartbreak as new identity falls<\/a><\/p>\n KENDRIC DAVIS RETURN FOR NBL27?<\/p>\n He may have fallen just short in the Most Valuable Player voting, but Davis\u2019 focus is firmly on the finals and what lies ahead. The All-NBL First Team import has already begun discussions about the possibility of staying in Australia for another season or two.<\/p>\n