Clark Addition Represents "Turning Point" For 36ers

The Adelaide 36ers are all-in for a run at this season’s championship. If the boom off-season signings of Antonius Cleveland and Robert Franks didn’t tell you that, the mid-season acquisition of former Sydney King Ian Clark hammers it home.

A former NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, Clark has touched down in Adelaide and is ready to link-up with his new teammates at the first possible opportunity – all signs point to a likely 36ers debut in their massive Christmas Eve clash with South East Melbourne at this stage.

Speaking on NBL Today, two-time NBL champion Adam Gibson believes Clark is the missing piece on this already stacked 36ers roster.

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“They’ve loaded up,” Gibson said. “They’ve got Cleveland and Franks that they brought in who were two elite imports last year – you add this third piece (Clark) I think they were missing – and he’s such a great piece.

“He’s done it with the Warriors, he’s did it with the Kings … he’ll be great for the group and he’ll provide leadership which I think they’ve missed a little bit.

“It’s definitely a big moment.”

The addition of Clark to the side could represent the second major turning point of Adelaide’s season so far, with the first being the departure of import Craig Randall II.

While the 36ers currently sit just outside of the play-in positions, their game in hand over the Tasmania JackJumpers means that should they beat the resurgent and war-wounded Phoenix they’ll be keeping major pressure on those sides placed within the top six.

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Although Clark looks primed to be utilised in a bench role behind incumbent point guard Mitch McCarron, Gibson believes he can provide the x-factor Adelaide needs.

“You bring in someone like Ian Clark that’ll give everyone so much more confidence knowing if things are slow and bogged down, here’s an NBA champion coming in off the bench that can score, that can set up plays,” Gibson said.

“He should start, no question, but he’s happy to play that role.

“Robert Franks is getting more of the ball, Cleveland is stepping up, Kai Sotto is now starting.

“They’d already turned a corner when they got rid of Randall, and now the guys are feeling more comfortable.”