It is something out of this world that an NBA team loses to its Australian opposition. While Australian teams are not the weakest in the world, NBA is a league of its own with top players from the whole globe competing on the highest level imaginable. On the international club level, many NBA teams are considered simply untouchable. Phoenix Suns are not made from the same material as they were defeated by Adelaide 36ers, one of the best Aussie teams.
A massive overperformance?
Craig Randall showed up big by putting 35 points in the net. Robert Franks was just three points behind by the end of the game. Both players used their precision at the three-point line to score consistently and help their team confidently beat Phoenix with a 10-point difference (134 to 124). Adelaide played perfectly and managed to dismantle their NBA opposition with calculated attacks and good long-term throws amassing a sizeable lead and playing well to protect it.
When it comes to comparing teams, the difference looks simply laughable with NBL’s $1.6 million cap per player and Phoenix’s massive total payroll of over $270 million annually. The roster of Suns is packed with stars and expensive purchases. It should be considered a miracle that it was so handily dispatched by the 36ers that have not shown any spectacular results this season. However, it is not a miracle. Many believe that it was somewhat expected.
The Suns have been struggling this season
Adelaide is the second non-NBA team to beat an NBA team. It is a historical moment. The last time someone celebrated a victory over NBA representatives was in 2015 when Fenerbahce from Turkey dismantled Brooklyn Nets in a close game.
The recent history of the Suns can be best described as shaky. The off-season was quite turbulent and caused many experts to predict that the Suns won’t be able to get in shape morally and physically after suffering a disappointing defeat to the Dallas Mavericks. The latter threw Phoenix out of the playoff stage. Hopefully, the international loss won’t affect players that much.
