Bruton says no rush for third import

Adelaide 36ers head coach CJ Bruton said there is no timeline to sign a third import in the wake of Sunday afternoon’s 97-78 loss to Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena.

The 36ers have now played six of their 12 NBL23 regular season games with two imports, but Bruton said the club has to get the right player to fit into the group.

“We will have a shortlist soon and we will present it to the players and see what we are thinking and get their thoughts too,” Bruton said.

Bruton was upbeat in how his side stayed with the defending champions for three quarters before running out of legs in the final stanza.

“You have good days and bad days and we came in a little tired and it takes a lot out of you coming back the way we did (against Cairns on Friday night),” Bruton said.

“But I liked the effort of the boys, the challenge is always there and being undermanned just shows some spirit and some fight and I thought we did that over the weekend.”

Adelaide missed Anthony Drmic (back) for a second straight game and faced a Kings side fresh off a six-day break, but Bruton said the 36ers will need to continue to make some tweaks to its game style.

“We need to go a find something different as we have a similar scenario coming up with Perth at home on Friday and back again on the road in Melbourne on Sunday,” Bruton said.

“We need to keep understanding how we can play together. We are growing and getting a little bit more comfortable, there are only two teams who are comfortable, and that’s New Zealand and Sydney.

“The league is tough, everyone can beat everyone and we have seen that this season, we just need to continue to build and focus on ourselves.”

The assignments don’t get any easier, with a revitalized Perth Wildcats, fresh off their 92-84 win over the Breakers in New Zealand, coming to Adelaide on Friday night.

“Tough opponent, every week is a tough opponent, it’s about preparing the right way and making sure we are ready to go,” Bruton said.

“To play a few more games at home will be good.”