DJ: 'Step in the right direction'

Adelaide 36ers big man Daniel Johnson said Thursday night’s victory in Wollongong against Illawarra Hawks was a ‘step in the right direction’ for his side moving forward in the NBL23 season.

Johnson was everywhere for the 36ers, scoring a game-high 28 points, including nine in a 19-4 final quarter burst which sealed Adelaide’s 96-80 triumph at WIN Entertainment Centre.

“It was great fun but people are going to have to sacrifice and I’m more than happy to do that if we are winning games for sure,” Johnson said post match.

“I haven’t been as aggressive to start the season, but when you have that much talent the good thing is everyone is just filling their roles.

“We have different guys that can step up on different nights and when other guys aren’t having a big night which is a real benefit of this group with the talent we have.”

The 212cm centre partnered with boom off-season recruit Robert Franks to score 53 points as the big men had their way against a Hawks side now on a seven-game losing streak.

“To start the game they were in drops, which helped to get me going and when the went to the zone, it left shooters open, it was just a product of what they kind of gave us,” Johnson said.

“I think as a group we moved the ball better and passing a lot better than in previous games.

“We are bit up and down, the main thing is everyone wants to win and doing the right thing to try and get there, we just have to get on the same page.”

With the Perth Wildcats coming to the Entertainment Centre for a Saturday night showdown on Brett Maher Court, Johnson knows his side can make a statement.

“I think tonight is a big step in the right direction, obviously Perth coming in is going to be massive as well,” Johnson said.

“If we can get that we can set up the start of our season.”