Underperforming Teams and Players in the NBL: What’s Going Wrong?

With high hopes for many of these squads at the beginning of the season, it’s been frustrating to see some of the biggest names in the league struggle. From the Perth Wildcats’ defensive woes to the Sydney Kings’ lack of consistency, and players like Keanu Pinder failing to live up to their potential, there’s plenty to unpack. Let’s take a closer look at the underperforming teams and players so far in the NBL season 2024.

The Perth Wildcats have been one of the most successful teams in NBL history, and with the talent they have on paper, they should be among the title favourites every season. However, this year, the Wildcats have struggled to find their footing.

There’s no denying the impact injuries have had on the team, with star guard Bryce Cotton dealing with injuries that have kept him off the court at times. Cotton has been playing at a high level when healthy, but the issues go beyond individual performances. 

Perth has failed to establish a defensive identity this season, something they’ve been known for in previous years. Their defensive inefficiencies have been evident, especially in key moments of games, and it’s a critical area of concern if they’re to make a push for a championship.

While the team is certainly top-heavy in terms of star power, the lack of depth and consistency is hurting them. Perth should be one of the top teams in the league, but right now, they’re far from the title contenders they were expected to be. They’ll need to sort out their defensive issues and develop a more balanced roster if they want to challenge for the championship.

Much like the Perth Wildcats, the Sydney Kings were expected to be among the title favourites this season, but they’ve been anything but dominant. The Kings have been plagued by inconsistency, with several key players failing to live up to expectations.

The Kings' biggest strength this season has been the consistent play of Xavier Cooks. If not for his standout performances, Sydney would likely be in an even more difficult position. However, outside of Cooks, it’s been a mixed bag.

Jaylen Adams, in particular, has been a disappointment. He’s had several poor games, looking disinterested at times, and it’s clear the Kings are struggling to get the best out of him. Similarly, Cam Oliver has not been felt this season, as the Kings lack the depth to compete with the top-tier teams. 

heir rotation has been a major issue, with coach Brian Goorjian unable to find consistent lineups and combinations that work. As a result, Sydney has been inconsistent, and it’s going to be a long road ahead to turn things around.

For the Perth Wildcats, Keanu Pinder was supposed to be one of the team’s most reliable contributors this season. Unfortunately, he has been far from consistent. In some games, Pinder looks like a future star, putting up 25+ points and dominating the paint. But in others, he disappears entirely, playing just 10 minutes and offering very little.

This erratic play has been a major issue for Perth, as they’ve struggled to rely on him night in and night out. The inconsistency has been frustrating for the Wildcats, who had hoped Pinder would be a key piece in their quest for another championship. His inability to find a middle ground—either playing out of his mind or struggling to make an impact—has made it difficult for the Wildcats to establish any kind of rhythm. If they are to get back to championship contention, Pinder needs to find a more consistent level of play.

After winning the championship last season, the Tasmanian JackJumpers were expected to be one of the top teams in the NBL once again. But things have not gone as planned. With a sluggish start to the season, the JackJumpers have shown a lot of problems that have been hard to ignore.

The biggest issue for the JackJumpers has been their outdated game plan. In today’s modern NBL, teams need to be able to stretch the floor, but Tasmanian continues to rely heavily on mid-range shots and doesn’t shoot enough three-pointers. This lack of offensive diversity has hurt them, as they’ve struggled to put up points consistently.

Their defense has also been porous at times, and they’ve given up easy buckets in key moments. Even with the return of Will Magnay, they’ve struggled to find their rhythm. There’s been a lack of confidence and cohesion, and despite their strong finish to last season, it’s been clear that they’re not the same team this year. 

Head coach Scott Roth will have to find a way to adapt their style of play and get the team to buy into a more modern, flexible system if they’re to have any hope of making a serious run at the playoffs.

The NBL season is still young, and there’s plenty of time for these underperforming teams and players to turn things around. The Perth Wildcats and Sydney Kings, both loaded with talent, will need to figure out how to establish consistency and fix their defensive issues if they want to return to their championship aspirations. 

Keanu Pinder, for his part, will have to find a way to become the consistent contributor the Wildcats need. Meanwhile, the Tasmanian JackJumpers will need to update their game plan and find a way to rediscover the magic they had last season.

As it stands, all these teams have underperformed relative to their preseason expectations. However, with plenty of time left in the season, it’s still anyone’s guess how things will unfold. The pressure is on these teams to adjust quickly or risk falling further behind in a competitive league.