Hoops Heaven’s Basketball Hustle – #NBL25 Episode 20

Hoops Heaven's Basketball Hustle wraps up #NBL25 Play-In Tournament with Perth Wildcats & South East Melbourne deserving to advance. Fitting Adelaide 36ers capitulation, Xavier Cooks derailed Sydney Kings and Cody Ellis on Adam Forde, Clint Steindl, Jason Cadee.

Before getting to the NBL, we look back on the NBA trade deadline moves and early signs of Luka Doncic at the Lakers and Anthony Davis at the Mavericks along with Jimmy Butler to the Warriors, how Dalton Knecht fits back in, Khris Middleton leaving the Bucks and Ben Simmons to the Clippers.

Before knuckling down on all the topics, we give our quick thoughts on having the right four teams left in the NBL, the Xavier Cooks suspension derailing the Sydney Kings, not surprised with Adam Forde leaving the Cairns taipans, retirements of Clint Steindl and Jason Cadee, and the Adelaide 36ers capitulation.

Unfortunately the biggest news of the week in the NBL was off the court with Xavier Cook provisionally suspended after his positive test and Cody offers his thoughts on why one potential silly mistake could do irreparable damage to his reputation even if he doesn't miss much court time.

Our entire middle segment breaks down the three Play-In Tournament games beginning with the Play-In Game itself where the Adelaide 36ers had a stunning capitulation and the South East Melbourne Phoenix fully earned their way to the Playoffs by playing terrific selfless basketball in the second half.

We then go back to the 36ers beating the Sydney Kings in the Play-In Qualifier but even in that game they made life more difficult themselves than they should have with the Kings far too reliant on Cam Oliver and Jaylen Adams in the absence of Xavier Cooks and Keli Leaulepe.

Then back in the Seeding Qualifier and it was a game between the Perth Wildcats and South East Melbourne Phoenix ruined by an out of control foul count. But Keanu Pinder was at his match winning best for the Wildcats while the Phoenix dearly missed Jordan Hunter with his foul trouble.

Before the news broke that the Brisbane Bullets were moving on from Justin Schueller, we already knew that Adam Forde was leaving as coach of the Cairns Taipans and we looked at some early candidates to replace him for the toughest coaching job in the NBL.

We pay tribute to a couple of Cody Ellis' contemporaries as well who have announced their retirement firstly Tasmania JackJumpers championship captain Clint Steindl and then one of Cody's favourite ever teammates at the Sydney Kings, Jason Cadee.

We then wrap up this week's show by going through the NBL Award winners announced and there wasn't too much to disagree with and full credit to Simon Mitchell for just about running the full table with his predictions beforehand.

All made possible thanks to the support of Hoops Heaven (www.hoopsheaven.com.au) and TABtouch (www.tabtouch.com.au).