Adelaide 36ers guard Nathan Sobey goes from villain to hero

NATHAN Sobey was cast the villain after his half-time ejection cost Adelaide 36ers’ dearly in their spicy game-three grand final loss in Melbourne on Friday night.

Two days later, he left Adelaide Arena having played a lead role in preserving the Sixers’ NBL championship dreams in a hard-fought nine-point win over Melbourne United.

Sobey got caught up in the heat of the Hisense Arena battle, earning himself an early shower for an alleged headbutt on Casey Prather.

But back on home turf on Sunday, he set the tone for his teammates and let his basketball do the talking, racking up 16 points, four rebounds and three turnovers in a composed display.

Sobey has had bigger performances in the Sixers’ march to the championship decider.

But his ability to shrug off his troubles from 48 hours earlier provided an example for those around him as the hosts raced to a lead of eight at the first break.

Last campaign’s NBL most improved player produced a mazy dribble and freakish lay-up to lift the roof off the rocking Findon stadium early on.

It provided the impetus for a huge Mitch Creek defensive block and a sweet Shannon Shorter jump shot moments later.

Sobey came up with another slick drive and bucket soon after, before a beautiful behind the back pass for Daniel Johnson to draw a foul and convert twice from the free throw line.

The Boomers guard showed his athleticism with another eye-catching lay-up and silky jump shot to help push Adelaide out to a game-high 24-point buffer at the main break.

But it was as much Sobey’s discipline without the ball that impressed.

Instead of seeking retribution with a cheap shot on Prather behind play, he remained focused on his job and avoided any unnecessary afters from the previous clash.

It typified the Sixers’ approach for most of the match, as they forgot the apparent refereeing injustices of game three and delivered the high-octane basketball they are capable of.

The ploy also drew a more favourable response from officials. The home side earned a whopping 33 free throws to United’s one in the first half alone.

Shannon Shorter (14 points, eight boards) concentrated more on his game than that of United gun Casper Ware and Johnson, a standout on Friday, again excelled (21 points, nine rebounds).

The Sixers’ final-term fade out, when their lead was cut back to four midway through the quarter, made things more tense than they ought to have been.

And Sobey’s influence on the match also wavered as Melbourne turned the screw.

But he held his nerve to convert two high-pressure free throws with 1 min 32 sec left on the clock which gave the 36ers some much-needed breathing space.

Fittingly it was Johnson who calmed the nerves of the packed house with a huge triple to ice the triumph.

Sobey will hope to have an even bigger say in proceedings as the Sixers strive for ultimate glory in a mouth-watering game five across the border next Saturday.

But his influential performance, under intense scrutiny, demonstrated his growing maturity and importance to Adelaide’s hopes of ending its 16-year title drought.