Five-time MVP makes early title statement; big problem with ex-NBA star — NBL Rd 2 Talking Points

Round Two of the NBL season is in the books, and with it we’ve now officially seen all 10 teams hit the floor.

The weekend delivered everything – standout debuts, familiar faces in new colours, and plenty of drama.

Here are the biggest storylines you need to know in this week’s edition of Talking Points!

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BRYCE COTTON IS STILL THE MAN IN THE NBL

In an offseason filled with big moves, fresh faces and returning stars, one truth remains – Bryce Cotton still runs the NBL.

The five-time MVP (yes, five) made his Adelaide 36ers debut against the injury-hit Brisbane Bullets and wasted no time showing why he’s the league’s gold standard.

Cotton poured in 39 points, dished out six assists and drilled six threes, carrying the 36ers to their first win of NBL26.

He controlled the offence with ease, and while Adelaide’s supporting cast looked shaky at times – Dejan Vasiljevic managed just five points in 32 minutes, and only three others reached double figures, it was enough to get the job done in their opening hit-out.

There were positives beyond Cotton’s brilliance. Isaac Humphries contributed 13 points and six boards, Zylan Cheatham did the dirty work with 14 rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Isaac White chipped in 10 points off the bench.

But make no mistake: this was Cotton’s night, and he reminded everyone that he’s still the NBL’s most dominant force.

The 36ers have invested heavily this offseason, and with another import on the way plus a roster spot still open, they look every bit a contender. With Cotton leading the charge, Adelaide’s championship aspirations are very real.

CAN THE HAWKS WIN WITH JAVALE MCGEE AS THEIR BEST PLAYER?

JaVale McGee’s NBL debut was nothing short of spectacular – 32 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks on 75% shooting in just 30 minutes. It was one of the most dominant first outings the league has ever seen.

But despite his heroics, the Illawarra Hawks still walked away with a disappointing home loss on the night they raised their championship banner. That result raises the obvious question: if McGee is your best player, can you really win a title?

It seems the simple answer is no.

At 37, McGee is still box office, but his minutes must be managed. He’ll need rest games, and even when he’s on court, he’ll tire quickly, which was already evident as he rotated in and out frequently to stay fresh. For Illawarra to be a serious contender, they need more than McGee.

They need a Trey Kell-type ball handler and playmaker, Will Hickey healthy to provide depth and punch off the bench, and a strong, big-bodied point guard who can absorb defensive attention to free up Tyler Harvey.

Right now, with Hickey and Jonah Bolden sidelined, Jaquori McLaughlin looking a step off the pace for the level of play the NBL demands and with the schedule front-loaded with tough opponents, they don’t have those pieces.

There’s still a long season ahead, and it was only their first official hit-out, but the jury is still out on whether this roster is built to contend, even with McGee’s fireworks.

BREAKERS STRUGGLE TO WIN AT HOME AGAIN

The New Zealand Breakers have slumped to 0-3 to start the NBL season, falling to the Perth Wildcats in a game that, with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, looked all but won.

After trailing 62-59 heading into the final quarter, the Breakers exploded on a 15-0 run to take a commanding lead with 6:52 to play. But basketball is a game of runs, and what should have been a statement home win quickly unraveled.

The Wildcats responded with their own 15-0 surge, reclaiming the lead with 3:35 remaining and never looking back.

Dylan Windler, Kristian Doolittle, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. and Jaron Rillie led Perth’s charge, showing poise and execution when it mattered most.

For the Breakers, it was a gutting defeat. Injuries, illness and heavy travel have already disrupted their season, but coach Petteri Koponen and star guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright didn’t hold back on what truly cost them, poor discipline and a failure to control the glass.

“Extra possessions are going to kill you,” Jackson-Cartwright admitted. “We weren’t as disciplined and steady as Perth.”

Koponen echoed the frustration: “We have to use every day to get better and get our guys on the same page.”

Compounding the issues is a rotation that still looks unsettled. Import Rob Baker logged just 12 minutes off the bench, Izaiah Brockington saw 18 minutes, and Carlin Davidson, a spark in Round 1, played only three minutes. The lack of trust and consistency is becoming more obvious as the pressure mounts.

The expectations for this team are high, but the signs are worrying. With frustration already visible from the head coach, that tension risks spilling into the locker room if wins don’t come soon. Sitting at 0-3, the Breakers need to steady quickly. Their next outing is nothing short of a must-win.

THE TAIPANS BOUNCE BACK IN A BIG WAY

Just a week ago, the Cairns Taipans were embarrassed in their season opener, falling 114-77 to SEM Phoenix.

Fast forward seven days, and they’ve flipped the script – finishing Round Two 2-0 with wins over their state rivals Brisbane and a Sydney team many believe to be a genuine title contender.

It’s the response fans were hoping for after what has been one of the club’s most exciting off-seasons, filled with star signings who finally showed their worth. Leading the charge was the “Million Dollar Man” Jack McVeigh, who delivered 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists against Brisbane, then backed it up with 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists against Sydney.

Head coach Adam Forde set the tone during the week with blunt post-loss comments, reminding his players of their responsibilities: “I shouldn’t have to tell someone who gets paid to do this job, to perform in a certain manner… if a plumber, a chef, a labourer doesn’t do their job, they’re going to lose their job.”

It was a powerful message from a coach who knows his team’s potential – and his players responded.

What stood out most wasn’t just the wins, but the composure. Both games went down to the wire, yet Cairns made the winning plays and knocked down the big shots. Defensively, they were just as impressive, holding Sydney to 14.3% from three and Brisbane to a miserable 10% from deep.

There’s still plenty of work ahead, but after a disastrous Round One, this bounce-back week has reignited belief among the fans, the community, and within the club itself. The Taipans once again look like a team capable of chasing a top-four spot.