Defensive focus for JackJumpers at the Blitz

After two seasons competing with a core group of players, the Tasmania JackJumpers head into this weekend’s NBL preseason Blitz on the Gold Coast with a revamped squad. With a lot more offence at his disposal than ever before, head coach Scott Roth will be looking to attack the basket whilst still pushing his “Defend the Island” mantra with his new team. 

Back in February, the JackJumpers 22/23 campaign faced a disappointing end at the semi finals stage in New Zealand. Missing key playmaker Josh Maggette through injury, Tasmania pushed the series to a decider at Auckland’s Vector Arena, only to go down 92-77 in the game three. Tasmania had put in a herculean defensive effort across the series to limit the Breakers. However, it was clear that the team need more offensive help.

The Breakers swamped Tassie’s main offensive threats Jack McVeigh and Milton Doyle across the series, limiting their touches and giving them little room to produce at the offensive end.  The duo still found ways to score, but it was tough and exhausting work. Import Rashard Kelly, who had played more of a defensive role all season, had some of his best offensive games in the green and yellow. But they lacked a legitimate third or forth scoring option to turn to. 

New look roster for NBL24

The JackJumpers look to have found more offence in high scoring guard in Jordon Crawford, who led the Turkish league in scoring last season, the same competition Doyle also played in. Crawford replaces traditional pass-first point guard and fan favourite Magette. This change will help take the scoring pressure off Doyle, who late it games seemed to be the JackJumpers plans A, B and C from an offensive perspective.  In addition, they have picked up Anthony Drmic, Majok Deng and Junior Madut, all of which have been able to put up points at their various stops across their NBL careers. 

But those additions were only made after guards Sam McDaniel, Matt Kenyon and Isaac White, arguably three of Tasmania’s best defensive players, signed elsewhere for NBL24. You could argue that their defensive skills were somewhat offset by their limited offensive output, but thier presence on the defensive end, restricting some of the NBL’s best guards, will be tough to fill. But the JackJumpers appear willing to roll the dice with thier new recruits and in the hope they will buy-in to the teams defensive scheme.

But then there is the addition of Marcus Lee, who joined Melbourne United as an injury replacement, but quickly established himself as one of the league best defensive bigs. His addition provides great defensive support as a rim protector, and will anchor the JackJumpers defence as they work out thier roles.

But bringing the team together for pre-season has also had its challenges, with Madut (South Sudan), Deng (South Sudan) and Walter Brown (New Zealand) all being on national duties at the recent FIBA World Cup. Lee also had to spend time back in the United States with family. This resulted in all four missing the JackJumpers recent practice games against Melbourne United. Meaning the NBL Blitz plays an even more important role to the JackJumpers preparing for NBL24.

“We’ll have different focuses for different games but we are really trying to build our defensive identity. As we know that is going to hold up in the back end of the season, so trying to grow in that area and just develop chemistry.  We’ve had three great sessions and now were excited to go and compete on the Gold Coast”. Assistant Coach Jack Fleming said.

JackJumpers NBL Blitz Schedule

5pm Saturday 16 September vs South East Melbourne Phoenix
5pm Tuesday 19 December vs New Zealand Breakers
5pm Thursday 21 September vs Adelaide 36ers

All games to be played at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre