got a new coach in Brisbane, what\u2019s he going to bring to the<\/a> table?<\/p>\n\u201cThese are the things at the Blitz that we\u2019re going to get a glimpse at that creates some interest and intrigue.\u201d<\/p>\n
All 10 games of the CODE Sports NBL Blitz, from August 27-31, will be shown live and exclusively on Kayo Sports and Disney+ from AIS Arena in Canberra.<\/p>\n
MONSTA RACING ICE CUBE CLOCK FOR BLITZ<\/p>\n
Adelaide 36ers marquee star Montrezl Harrell heads into this week\u2019s CODE Sports NBL Blitz on limited preparation due to 3-on-3 commitments.<\/p>\n
36ers officials told Crosscourt Harrell could be forced to fly into Canberra directly ahead of the club\u2019s Blitz opener against the defending champion Illawarra Hawks on Wednesday night from 8.15pm (AEST).<\/p>\n
The ex-NBA talent is captaining the Chicago Triplets in the Ice Cube backed Big 3 tournament in Orlando this weekend.<\/p>\n
The Triplets are through to the championship final to take on Miami 305 from 5.00am (AEST) on Monday. <\/p>\n
It means Harrell will have to immediately fly back to Australia to give himself as much time as possible to prepare for Adelaide\u2019s Blitz opener.<\/p>\n
Sixers officials haven\u2019t ruled out the big man missing the Hawks clash depending on his arrival time back from America.<\/p>\n
The full Adelaide squad trained together for the first full time on Friday. <\/p>\n
AFL CONCUSSION EXPERT HELPING UNITED STAR TARGET BLITZ RETURN<\/p>\n
Melbourne United has enlisted the services of an AFL concussion expert to work with star guard Shea Ili as he recovers from the latest in a worrying series of concussions.<\/p>\n
Coach Dean Vickerman said his Kiwi dynamo was edging closer to a return to the court after he suffered a head knock during his off-season stint in the NZNBL.<\/p>\n
Vickerman confirmed Ili was targeting United\u2019s season opener against the JackJumpers in Tasmania on September 18, but was a chance to suit up on Saturday at the CODE Sports NBL Blitz against Brisbane.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re pretty confident \u2014 he\u2019s got a couple of things to tick off on Tuesday to make sure everything\u2019s absolutely perfect,\u201d Vickerman said of Ili.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had some AFL experts digging in. The knowledge that we\u2019re getting of the concussion side of it, it\u2019s been really good and the more we\u2019re learning, the better he feels about coming back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a really good place with him right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
United has insurance for Ili in import guard Tyson Walker \u2014 who made an impressive debut last Tuesday with 12 points, 3 steals and 2 assists in a pre-season win over Cairns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe let Tyson know where Shea was when we recruited him,\u201d Vickerman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s good with whatever role he fits into. \u2018You want me to start, you want me to come off the bench, I\u2019m good with whatever the team needs\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether he starts for a while until Shea fully gets all the work under his belt, we\u2019ll see what happens.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is his first overseas job and he just wants to be part of a winning culture, however that shakes out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Veteran star Chris Goulding is also beginning to increase his activity after recovering from an ankle injury he suffered in Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe played one-on-one on Tuesday, which was a big step for him, and he\u2019s a chance to play game two of the Blitz,\u201d Vickerman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe needed some good time to heal and rest but he\u2019s starting to ramp it up.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll definitely be ready for our last pre-season game on the Sunshine Coast against Brisbane (Friday, September 12).\u201d<\/p>\n
GOORJIAN\u2019S HIGH DELLY-DAVIS PRAISE<\/p>\n
Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian has seen it all throughout his stellar career spanning four decades.<\/p>\n
So, when he puts new Kings\u2019 back-court duo Matthew Dellavedova and Kendric Davis on a pedestal defensively, you listen to the master mentor. <\/p>\n
\u201cBased on the two trial games the encouraging part is they could be very special in defence,\u201d Goorjian told Crosscourt. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe the strongest in the league in a long time. <\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t be happier with how Delly and Kendric performed in our first two trials against Tasmania, especially with how good they were on the defensive side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dellavedova and Davis were equally potent on the offensive end in two wins over the JackJumpers. <\/p>\n
The pair combined for 30 points and 11 assists in Monday\u2019s victory before backing up with another 31 point, eight assist haul on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
Goorjian was thrilled to see Dellavedova and Davis display such strong synergy and selflessness after just two games. <\/p>\n
\u201cI liked their leadership and scoring- they both play off each other\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere are very special back-court in the league.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Kings open their NBL Blitz campaign in Canberra against the Brisbane Bullets on Thursday night from 5.45pm (AEST).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CODE Sports\u2019 commitment to growing the NBL and the game of basketball in Australia has gone to 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