BEWARE OF THE EGO & STRANDED
ADELAIDE legend Brett Maher isn’t sure the 36ers need a third import but, if CJ Bruton does decide to pull the trigger on a Craig Randall II replacement, star point guard Mitch McCarron says there’s one non-negotiable.
McCarron, who has been a key orchestrator in the Sixers’ stunning rebirth since Randall was axed, says any new import who comes into the club will need to leave his ego at the door. Randall became a distraction with several public and private outbursts, as well as a ball-dominant role that starved many of the Sixers’ talented scorers, leading to his eventual sacking.
“We’ve had some discussions as a leadership group and as a playing group just saying we’re pretty happy with the way we’re playing and we trust the guys that are coming in off the bench,” McCarron said. “If there was going to be a third import, we need that guy to understand what we’re looking for.
“That’s probably another creator off the dribble, someone who can help run the group and push the pace for us, but also defend. And also not bring this ego where it’s about them and understand that, right now, our group’s humming because we’ve got people bought into letting the ball pop.”
Former Boomer Maher, says there’s a noticeable change among the squad and that has afforded more time to decide when - or if - they bring in another overseas player.
“I’m really liking the way they’re playing, they’ve got plenty of scorers there, they’ve got a really good defensive line-up,” he said. “I think it’s really a 50-50 call at the moment whether the disruption factor of bringing someone in is worth it.”