Adnam ready for NBL return
Kyle Adnam’s sick sidelines.
The Nelson Giants’ Australian point guard has returned from China injury-free and ready to take on National Basketball League title favourites Wellington Saints at Nelson’s Trafalgar Centre on Friday night.
Okay, so he’s still feeling some slight after-effects from the jarred toe joint injury he suffered during the Giants’ 107-81 win over the Taranaki Mountainairs four weeks ago. But he’s adamant that he’ll be on deck against the 14-0 Saints come Friday.
He missed the Giants’ losses to the Hawke’s Bay Hawks and Supercity Rangers because of the injury and last Friday’s 86-74 home win over the Hawks due to his prearranged commitments with his Melbourne United Australian NBL team for their two-game series against the Jiangsu Dragons in China.
‘‘I got through the first one pain-free on my foot and the second one I had a little bit of pain, but got through both which was good news,’’ Adnam said of his two successful outings in China, both wins.
‘‘I’ll have some physio throughout this week again but will be at practice and definitely looking forward to suiting up against the Saints.
’’This is actually the first time I’ve ever missed more than one game in a row, so it’s quite new for me and it’s something that I definitely do not like. There’s nothing worse than sitting on the sideline, especially with such a good group of guys.
‘‘I’ve created some pretty cool friendships so to sit on the sideline and watch those guys play is definitely something I don’t want to get used to.’’
With most of his Melbourne team-mates currently out of season, Adnam stacked up some significant court-time in China.
‘‘I had a big role in China which is something that I’ve really looked forward to in the Australian NBL which is good. I played well over there, there’s always things you can improve on but I’m happy with a first hit-out and I’m looking forward to the season start.
‘‘Game fitness shouldn’t be too much of an issue, I think it’s just more change of direction, that’s of the Nelson Giants v Wellington Saints (NBL) Trafalgar Centre, Nelson Friday, 7pm probably the thing that’s really slowing me down and obviously that’s a big part of my game.’’
As for squaring off against the unbeaten Saints, Adnam was clearly excited about that challenge.
‘‘I just see it as a great opportunity. Obviously we’re not in a position to ruin their finals hopes or anything like that, but we can go in and obviously build momentum toward the end of the season.
‘‘I think that’ll be really important for the Giants obviously starting next year, so it’s really important to build in the back end of this season whether you are in a position to make finals or not.’’
He said it was difficult to pinpoint any obvious weaknesses in a stellar Saints lineup.
‘‘They’ve got guys who can play in all positions and do their job really well and I think the big thing for them is most guys have had experience in big games before.
‘‘But I think we’ve got [the players] to do it too and on our night we can be absolutely amazing. So I think if we bring our best game, yeah I think we’ll definitely match them.’’
And the secret to becoming the first team this season to beat the Saints?
‘‘I think it’s staying together, getting in a group after every freethrow and talking about the next possession. You don’t win it in one quarter or two quarters, you win it play by play. Every play you’ve got to be locked in [with] no-one straying and that’s how you beat a really great team.
‘‘They put up a lot of points too so you’re going to have to score, but defensively if you can limit them to under 80 or 90 points, that would be a really good goal. And on our end, we’ve also got to match that.’’