Ninnis says point to prove at defensive end

Fresh defensive mindset and focus has been top of the agenda for Adelaide 36ers head coach Scott Ninnis and his staff this week.

Leading into Sunday afternoon’s Christmas Eve showdown with Brisbane Bullets at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Ninnis said the 36ers will have some new defensive principles.

“I’d like to say we have improved defensively, but we have given up 116 and 107 the past two weeks, and we have been working on that this week,” Ninnis said.

The squad has been scrimmaging more at training this week to bring the new principles into gameday practice, Ninnis also handing the point guard reigns to import Trey Kell.

“In the starting group, it’s obviously Trey Kell,” Ninnis said.

“We want to have that versatility, I’ve always like teams with multiple ballhandlers.

“We have guys like Jacob (Wiley) who have no trouble bringing the ball up.

“Trey has played point guard for this team twice this year and it has been in the past two games.

“He’s poised, he has a good head on his shoulders and I need to put him into positions to score as well.”

One player who has been a real positive for Ninnis over the past fortnight is swingman Nick Marshall.

“I was really happy with Nick Marshall last game, he’s a promising kid, we need to see the realisation of that potential,” Ninnis said.

“Investing time into him, it can only be positive, he will have his ups and downs because he has had inconsistent minutes, probably over his whole career.

“He has got such an ability to score, and I think at times during the year he has second guessed himself and hesitated, but he didn’t do that (against Melbourne).

“That gives us another weapon, a 6”5 athlete who can shoot the ball from the three-point line but can also be athletic as well.”

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With the shortened rotation now in full effect, Ninnis said the coaching staff is still constantly evaluating who gets court time on a game-by-game basis.

“We are still figuring out roles and rotations at the moment, I look at someone like Jason Cadee and I think at some stage we need him,” Ninnis said.

“I’ve gone with Alex Starling these last couple of games because of the intensity and desire he plays with and he is going to leave his heart and soul out there.

“I felt the group needed that type of toughness.

“KG (Kyrin Galloway) has been the unfortunate one, but he will get his opportunities.

“We need to see what he can do moving forward, is he going to be the star we all think he’s going to be, he has all the physical tools and the ability from the three-point line and shot blocking.”

Adelaide will face the Bullets on Sunday at the Entertainment Centre from 1.30pm and you can watch all the action live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and on 10 Peach and 10 Play.