’Not acceptable’: Coach slams ‘poor’ 36ers

Covering the loss of stars Josh Giddey and Isaac Humphries was always going to be an impossible task for Adelaide, but the previously surging Sixers find themselves in a fight for respectability following their dispiriting loss to Illawarra.

The Hawks led by as much as 26 points at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Friday night before easing to an 81-73 victory – a scoreline that flattered the mostly listless hosts.

Adelaide must dig deep and offer stiffer resistance against the Wildcats on Sunday when they play their last home game of the season, with three road matches to round out their campaign.

In the space of three games, the Sixers have gone from the form team of the NBL with a fighting chance at a finals berth to also-rans, with losses to Illawarra bookending a defeat by the Kings that torpedoed their season.

Giddey and Humphries were put on ice following the round 18 loss to Sydney.

The risk of injury for Giddey was too great ahead of the NBA draft, where he is expected to be selected in the first round, while Humphries succumbed to a foot injury that has dogged him for most of the season.

Like all NBL coaches this season, Conner Henry has dealt with his share of adversity but he didn’t foresee Friday night’s disaster.

“The reality is (it) was our worst game of the season,” Henry said.

“Our effort wasn’t acceptable.

“The starters were very poor, except for (Daniel Dillon), who at the advanced age of 31 plays some quality minutes, pushes the pace and really has a high level of ‘Give a s***’.

“It was a disappointing loss.”

Conner Henry didn’t mince his words. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

Imports Brandon Paul and Tony Crocker contributed seven and five points respectively, with the latter benched for the rest of the game in the third quarter following a verbal spat with the referees.

Henry warned he won’t spare anyone’s feelings, in terms of game time at least, as he evaluates his squad with an eye on next season.

“Minutes are earned and that’s what we’ll do from here on out,” he said.

“It’s really the only thing that we can do. Whatever minutes the lads get they’ll need to play hard and good things will happen for everybody.”

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