This is no solo rescue mission
SCOTT Roth says the JackJumpers’ chances of winning make-or-break game three of their NBL grand final series against the Sydney Kings in Sydney on Wednesday night do not “live and die” on the hot hand of mercurial guard Josh Adams.
The JackJumpers’ NBL Coach of the Year just wants consistency from the 28-yearold sharp-shooter from Arizona, as well as across the board from his underdog Jacks.
No team has come back from 0-2 down to win the grand final series but Roth knows Adams, who shot a game-high 36 points on Sunday — the second-most by any player in a 40-minute grand final game since 2010 — could be the key.
“I just hope he is consistent in his minutes and his time on the floor, and in his defensive stuff also,” Roth said.
“It’s about the consistency of him playing at that level. We don’t live and die with him having to get 36 points.
“We just have to have everyone to be good or average. It will be enough.
“I don’t need great, I just need consistency from everyone on the floor to do their jobs and that’s all we are asking from them.”
The JackJumpers lost the opening game of the five-game series in Sydney on Thursday. They were over-run by the Kings late in game two in Hobart on Sunday.
If they win game three, it would send the series to a fourth instalment and another
home game for the Jacks on Friday night.
Adams is the Jack’s X-factor and a dangerman for the Kings.
“You’re always looking for a player who can bail you out in tough situations or make a courageous shot that you need,” Roth said.
“They have a couple of players who can do that, and it’s one of the reasons why Josh is here, to create opportunities where there aren’t any, and back him in doing that.
“He has been very good in that role when his mind is right.”
Despite trailing in the series, JackJumpers captain Clint Steindl said the team was “up and about”.
“It’s a five-game series and we understand we’ve got to win to keep our series alive,” he said. “We are going to be ready for it. We made some improvements from the first game in Sydney and we gained some momentum in game two, so we’re right there.
“We’ve just got to go in with the right mindset, expect to win and anything can happen.”