NBL25 Report Cards Part 2: Where Does Your Team Rank?

NBL25 Report Cards Part 1: Where Does Your Team Rank?

After Part One was released, it is now time to finish off the mid-season rankings to see where the rest of the teams in the NBL rank.

South East Melbourne Phoenix (C-)

A team slowly making strides under new coach Josh King, the Phoenix started the season with five consecutive losses but have recovered to a 7-8 record, putting themselves in playoff contention. After finishing last season in the bottom spot, South East Melbourne is determined to deliver playoff basketball for their fans—even if it’s via the play-in.

MVP: Matt Hurt

The first-year import has been outstanding this season, averaging 19 points and 7 rebounds. Hurt has proven to be a fierce competitor, shooting an impressive 37% from three-point range. He’s a player the Phoenix should prioritise retaining in the coming seasons.

Best Win:

A dominant 24-point victory over the Wildcats at home showcased this team’s potential. This game was particularly significant as it marked Perth’s Jesse Wagstaff’s club-record appearance, giving the Wildcats plenty of motivation. Holding such a talented offence to just 76 points demonstrated that the Phoenix could play defence at an elite level.

Worst Loss:

Most defeats have been competitive, but a 2-point loss to the winless Bullets stands out. This is a game the Phoenix may regret if they narrowly miss the playoffs.

Predicted Finish: 6th

This team is steadily coming together. However, starting the season with five straight losses has left them with little room for error. Coach King has set high standards and seems to have the team performing well, but the current roster may lack the depth needed to finish higher than sixth and a play-in spot.

New Zealand Breakers (C-)

After starting the season strong with seven wins from their first ten games, the Breakers have fallen out of the top four, losing four consecutive games—all by double digits. This slump may partly be attributed to their demanding schedule, including exhibition matches against NBA teams. The addition of towering centre Tacko Fall has raised questions about team cohesion, and there has been an over reliance on Parker Jackson-Cartwright. Despite his brilliance, he has often lacked sufficient support from his teammates.

MVP: Parker Jackson-Cartwright

Parker Jackson-Cartwright has been phenomenal this season, making him a strong contender for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Shooting an impressive 49% from the field—exceptional for a player of his size—he is averaging just under 20 points per game and ranks second in the league in assists. His fitness will be crucial if the Breakers are to recover from their current slump.

Best Win:

The victory against the Kings on the road in late October was a highlight of the season. The Breakers and Kings have developed a fierce rivalry in recent years, and for the Breakers to secure this win after multiple challenges was a standout performance.

Worst Loss:

The 38-point drubbing by Illawarra was a low point. The game was effectively over by the first quarter, with the Breakers managing just 71 points as a team. Losing by large margins has been a recurring issue for the Breakers, with many defeats coming by double digits.

Predicted Finish: 7th

This team appears to be unravelling. While Jackson-Cartwright has been exceptional, the Breakers need more contributions from the rest of the roster to secure a playoff spot. Their home record—losing three of seven games—must improve to make their venue a fortress and help them climb the standings.

Brisbane Bullets (D)

A team that has seemed to be treading water might finally be starting to head in the right direction after an upset win over league leaders Melbourne United on the weekend. As a franchise that has struggled since its return to the league in 2016, it is high time for this club to bring success to its long-suffering fans.

MVP: Casey Prather

Small forward Casey Prather has turned back the clock to become the key focal point of the Bullets. After averaging a modest 6.7 points per game across seven games last season, Prather has increased his output to just over 17 points per game this year. His rebounds and assists have also risen, highlighting his team-focused approach to the game.

Best Win:

The victory against Melbourne United last weekend was highly impressive. Scoring 122 points against the league leaders must now serve as a yardstick for what this team can achieve. Unfortunately for the Bullets, they have often followed up strong wins with poor performances in their next outing.

Worst Loss:

The 28-point drubbing in Perth in late November was particularly disappointing. While the Bullets went into that game undermanned, their lack of fight throughout was a concern. Brisbane can take solace in the fact that they do not have to return to Perth for the rest of the season.

Predicted Finish: 9th

Despite their recent impressive performance, there does not seem to be enough talent on this roster for the Bullets to make the playoffs. Import James Batemon epitomises the team’s inconsistency—scoring 51 points in one game only to manage just 10 points in the next. Narrowing the gap between their best and worst performances will be crucial if Brisbane hopes to show meaningful improvement by the end of the season.

Adelaide 36ers (D-)

A team that underwent massive upheaval in the offseason, with coach Scott Ninnis replaced by Mike Wells, has failed to deliver despite boasting a pair of star Americans and several standout Australians. This franchise consistently recruits well year after year but struggles to translate that talent into on-court success.

MVP: Montrezl Harrell

The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year has lived up to expectations, averaging 20 points and 9 rebounds per game. However, a recent three-game suspension has not only hurt his MVP chances but also significantly impacted the clubs playoff aspirations. Harrell’s performance in the second half of the season will be crucial to the team’s hopes of turning their season around.

Best Win:

The win against Illawarra in early October was highly impressive, especially considering it was an away game and the Hawks were in top form at the time. Scoring 102 points that night marked one of the few occasions this season when the offence truly clicked, despite the team’s apparent scoring potential on paper.

Worst Loss:

The 20-point drubbing in Melbourne in mid-November was damaging in more ways than one. While losing to United on their home floor is not catastrophic, the suspensions handed to Harrell and fellow import Kendric Davis after their involvement in a melee were blows the 36ers could ill afford. Both Americans rank in the league’s top five for scoring, and their absences have been keenly felt.

Predicted Finish: 8th

In a season as competitive as this one, the suspensions of Harrell and Davis have been costly. With three of their next four games at home, it will be crucial for the 36ers to capitalise on these opportunities; otherwise, their playoff hopes will fade quickly. Until the team becomes more potent offensively, it is hard to envision them breaking into the top six and securing a spot in the play-in tournament.

Cairns Taipans (E)

A team that started the season strongly with three wins in their first four games has drastically fallen away, enduring 11 consecutive losses. Although the Taipans have been competitive recently, they have let winning positions slip in disappointing final quarters. Coach Adam Forde will be keen to end the season on a high note, as his position may be at risk otherwise.

MVP: Rob Edwards

This honour could reasonably go to Rob Edwards, point guard Taran Armstrong, or the New Zealand-born Sam Waardenburg. Edwards, however, stands out with an impressive average of 19 points per game this season while also rebounding effectively for a guard. A highly skilled player, Edwards must continue delivering strong performances to help Cairns climb off the bottom of the standings.

Best Win:

An early victory against Melbourne United on the road set the Taipans up for what seemed to be a promising season. Scoring 101 points that night showcased the team's offensive potential. However, since then, the Cairns offence has struggled, particularly in closing out tight games during the final quarter.

Worst Loss:

Incredibly, Cairns’ best performance and worst performance both came against the same opponent. In late October, the Taipans suffered a humiliating 43-point loss to Melbourne United. Conceding over 100 points in that game highlighted defensive frailties, while a dismal 28% shooting from the field ensured they were never in the match against the talented United.

Predicted Finish: 10th

It appears highly unlikely that Cairns will escape the bottom of the table. Players are now fighting for their futures, and Coach Adam Forde will need a few more wins to secure his position for next season. To improve their fortunes, the Taipans must turn their home court into a fortress once again and significantly improve their shooting efficiency.