It’s only Round 6 of the NBL season but we’re already into the real nitty gritty of Beat The Coach.
So, in order to find the necessary combination of premium scorers and undervalued roleplayers for the new fantasy NBL game, I’ve dug deep this week and come up with … Akech Aliir.
At $86k, he bobbed up with 22 points against Illawarra on the weekend and, now three games back from an undisclosed personal issue, he might be ready to take the bull by the horns.
And how about forgotten man Jaylin Galloway? After he was MVP of the Boomers’ gold medal run at the FIBA Asia Cup, we all thought this might be the year the incredibly athletic kid with NBA chops might break out. It hasn’t happened yet as the Kings continue to figure things out. But he’s on a double and at a gettable price. Cross the fingers, there.
Son-of-a-gun Jaron Rillie was a little easier — he’s among the most-selected players in SuperCoach — owing to dad’s John’s justified willingness to give him plenty of burn because he’s a damn fine young player — and the Wildcats have been hit with injury, poor form and an axed import.
Tyrell Harrison looms as the must-have this round. He’s way underpriced at a tick under $340k when you consider he demolished NZ for 52 points earlier this season and two of his three highest scores last season were against South East Melbourne. Captain with confidence.
I’ve had JLA on every double and I think he is the one constant premo in Perth. I’m going to ride those 40-plus scores until he becomes way too expensive. He’ll get the VC from me this round.
Nathan Sobey, aged 35, is the scoring linchpin, the one constant for a Phoenix team that has been a little Jekyll and Hyde, and a career-high 1.6 steals per game has his SuperCoach scoring on the up.
Teams on a double this week: Brisbane Bullets, Cairns Taipans, Melbourne United, Perth Wildcats, SEM Phoenix, Sydney Kings
MICK RANDALL’S ROUND 6 BEAT THE COACH TEAM
FORWARDS
Jaylin Galloway, SYD, $141,700
Akech Aliir, SEM, $86,100
GUARDS
Nathan Sobey, SEM, $333,800
Jaron Rillie, PER, $106,600
CENTRE
Tyrell Harrison, BRI, $338,700 — Captain
SIXTH MAN
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, PER, $374,800 — Vice captain
DAMON LOWERY’S ROUND 6 BEAT THE COACH TEAM
FORWARDS
Tanner Krebs, MEL, $139,400
Kyle Bowen, MEL, $110,000
GUARDS
Tyson Walker, MEL, $304,100
Reyne Smith, CNS, $117,900
CENTRE
Tyrell Harrison, BRI, $338,700 — Vice Captain
SIXTH MAN
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, PER, $374,800 — Captain
Originally published as Basketball expert Michael Randall reveals his Beat the Coach fantasy squad for round 6
