Can Tasmania fill "huge void"?

You can underestimate the Tasmania JackJumpers. They’ve shown that ever since their first season when they made it to the Championship Series against all odds.

But according to former MVP Derek Rucker, back-to-back championships may be a bridge too far.

Rucker says the loss of Jack McVeigh, an all NBL Second-Team member and Grand Final MVP will hurt the JackJumpers immensely. 

“Tasmania have a huge void to fill there,” he said on NBL Media’s The Roundtable. 

“I think they’ve done a moderately good job of trying to adjust that roster, because it really was a late change.

“When you lose a local of that stature, that’s a big plug to try and fill.

“I’m just not sure … my gut tells me they’re not quite at championship level.”

Rucker was quick to add an asterisk to that statement. 

“… however you can’t deny the spirit of what they create, the corny, ‘defend the island’ manta that they live by, that’s effective,” he said. 

“We saw it first hand in the championship series … they believe. If Scott Roth tells them ‘the sky is purple’, they’ll believe the sky is purple.

“What Scott says goes and what he’s down there is really an amazing story in Australian sporting history.”

NBL champion Damon Lowery said if any team can overcome the loss of key personnel, it’s Tasmania. 

“What I like about the JackJumpers is they’ve kept the core together,” he said. 

“Sometimes coaches and just make change for the sake of change, and it kills your momentum.

“We all know what Jack (McVeigh) brings to the table, but everyone else is there.”

Lowery said the addition of import shooting guard Craig Sword will be key to the JackJumpers’ chances, while the likes of underrated championship stars Majok Deng, Fabijan Krslovic and Anthony Drmic would be just as vital, alongside big man Will Magnay. 

But it’s Tasmania’s marquee men who could prove the difference once again.

If they can fire, Rucker says anything is possible.  

“They still have these two dynamic imports, Jordon Crawford and Milton Doyle, who carry forth the intelligence of how to win basketball,” he added. 

“They carry forth the culture, they bring with them the ability to win games.

“In game 5 we saw Jordon Crawford erupt for 19 points after most of us totally dismissed his impact in that championship series.”

Lowery said the JackJumpers’ ‘sixth man’ gave them an edge, with sell-out crowds for the last three years at MyState Bank Arena. 

“They pack it in there and you feel like you’re literally in the coliseum,” he said.

“Tasmania’s on the verge of a dynasty. 

“I’m not going to say they’re going to win it, it’s too early to say that kind of stuff ... but they already have their culture and everybody in the stands.”