'This week is very important for us': Humphries

Adelaide 36ers centre Isaac Humphries says this week is crucial as the new-look Sixers find ways to implement the new game plan installed by head coach Scott Ninnis.

Humphries, who was an inside force with 22 points and nine rebounds in Saturday night’s 116-101 loss to Cairns Taipans, knows his side will find a way before this Saturday night’s clash with NBL24 leaders Melbourne United.  

“This week is very important for us, we have to go back and get together with all the new stuff that’s going on and find some collective mojo, that’s the most important part for us moving forward,” Humphries said.

“We are trying things out, there are a lot of shifting things that happened.

“We are try to learn different things, almost on the fly.”

The 212cm big man was thrilled with how his side responded after Ninnis was elevated to head coaching duties just 72 hours before the clash against Cairns.

“We wanted to come together as a group and show some fight and I think we did that, I was very proud of the boys,” Humphries said.

“Yes, there are things to improve and a lot of errors, but our heart and our fight was there and that was something we didn’t have last week (against Tasmania).”

Humphries, who scored 11 of his 22 points in the opening quarter, was excited for the extra looks the 36ers’ offense gave him, especially early in the contest.

“Scott made a very welcomed emphasis on playing inside to start the game,” Humphries said.

“We have dabbled in it in the past, but tonight there was a big emphasis on starting inside out.

“Getting the inside dominance and inside presence going before we explored the outside game.

“I think it worked well for us match-up wise.”

Adelaide will travel to Melbourne on Friday for Saturday night’s clash against United at John Cain Afrena from 7.30pm ACDT.