DJ's opening quarter effort sparks 36ers

Adelaide 36ers guard DJ Vasiljevic says his 15-point opening quarter avalanche against Melbourne United was all about a team first mentality.

Vasiljevic, who scored a game-high 30 points in Adelaide’s 100-96 win against the NBL24 league leaders, said starting games well personally is a huge focus.

“I take the responsibility on myself to get the team going,” Vasiljevic told 1629 SEN SA post-game on Saturday.

“Once I get going, teams try to take me out of the game, double me, and it just opens everything up for everyone else.”

The 26-year-old said he had never heard a crowd so loud during the last quarter as the record sold home attendance of 9564 roared the 36ers home.

“I was actually looking up at the scoreboard to see if there was a decimal meter, I’ve played in some venues that when the crowd gets that loud that comes on the big screen,” Vasiljevic said.

“It was a great crowd, and we had a lot of celebrities come out, everyone is supporting everyone in Adelaide.”

Vasiljevic said the team had the responsibility to come out and honour the 1998/99 NBL championship with a victory while wearing the special anniversary jerseys.

“We had to come out strong, 25-year anniversary for the lads, and we had to celebrate the right way,” Vasiljevic said.

“We came out with great energy, and we got it done, I’m real proud of the boys.

“We have had guys come in and out the past few weeks, those guys have played the game, understand the game, obviously the game has changed a little bit over time.

“But when you win a championship at it’s 25 years later you got to celebrate the right way.”

The 190cm guard said defense was a key talking point for the 36ers leading into the match against United, with Melbourne possessing several offensive weapons.

“Our main focus was Chris Goulding, so Nick Marshall, Sunday Dech, Mitch McCarron, we threw a number of bodies at him, get him tired and I think they did a fantastic job,” Vasiljevic said.

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“JLA (Jo Lual-Acuil Jnr) scored under 10 points, so Isaac (Humphries) and Alex Starling did a great job.

“It’s a team effort, it’s a team win.”

Vasiljevic had praise for swingman Nick Marshall, who was promoted into the starting line-up to guard Goulding.

“People underestimate him (Marshall), he has come a long way, I hate playing against him in practice, but it’s great when he’s on my team,” Vasiljevic said.

“He’s a great worker, he comes in early, he stays later, when you got guys who want to work before or after, it just pays off.”