We asked all ten Sal’s NBL head coaches to anonymously predict the following categories ahead of the imminent season.
MVP | SCORING CHAMP | REBOUNDING CHAMP | BREAKOUT PLAYER | REGULAR SEASOP TOP 4 | SAL’S NBL CHAMPION
The results provide for interesting reading. Let’s dig in…
SCORING CHAMP
Seven players received nods for the coveted Alan Bland Memorial Trophy, with Property Brokers Manawatu Jets PG Daishon Knight receiving three votes, and Steelformers Taranaki Mountainairs great Marcel Jones receiving two.
REBOUNDING CHAMP
Some great big man names in this category, with six players named by coaches as their picks for the Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy. The returning Jack Salt (Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams) received three votes, while Go Media Otago Nuggets local lad Sam Timmins and 7’2” Wellington Saints import Romaro Gill were named by two coaches each to be leading board sponges in the 2021.
BREAKOUT PLAYER
A tough one to call with so much young talent in the 2021 Sal’s NBL, and this was highlighted by nine different names being offered up by the coaches. SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks youngster Brayden Inger was the only player to get two nods.
MVP
No outright favourite according to the clipboard carriers in this one either. Only two players received multiple votes, with EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls import Josh Selby and Rams import EJ Singler attracting the attention of two coaches for the award for League MVP.
TOP FOUR
Always an interesting category in the anonymous Coaches poll, in 2021 just one team is predicted by all ten coaches to be there come semi-final time. The Rams received ten votes to make it into the final four, while eight other teams also received nods to still be alive come playoffs time. The coaches clearly believe this season is going to be a tightly fought affair.
2021 SAL’S NBL CHAMPIONS
Despite the Rams getting the final four nods from all ten coaches, only two named them as their predicted 2021 Champs. The Hawks were the presumptive favourites to take home the trophy with three votes from the coaches.
So the predictions are in, and with the season tipping off this Saturday Night in Dunedin, there’s only one thing left to do now… Enjoy the Show.
Sal's NBL Broadcast Schedule - click HERE
Current Team Rosters - click HERE
Hear From The League Ahead Of The Season Tip-Off - click HERE
