Hoops

Wildcats v Phoenix Oct 25

"Creek has obviously worked hard in recent years to improve his outside shooting, so IMHO its waste playing him as an undersize 4."

I think that's his best position in the NBL. He was sensational in that spot for Adelaide and with the exception of last night has been brilliant in that spot for SEM. He has the strength to defend bigger PFs, but they can't defend his speed.

"Pinenuts" lol classic

Excellent press conference by both Mitchell and Creek. Very honest and matter of fact. Creek gets a lot trash talk but after watching that press conference he’s a lot smarter than people think around here. Mitchell calling a spade a spade as well. Phoenix are in good hands.

"Pheonix need to make the call, and get rid of benson. Tonight has to be the wake up call doesnt it."

It's going to be interesting how they approach it with Wesley back. I imagine Tai is going to play quite a bit at centre with Creek at power forward. If that's the case, do they back in Pineau and Benson to carry the other 20-odd minutes at C?

Or do they keep Crockett instead of Benson and play even more small ball? He looked good last night and fits the way they play. It could be a little risky in case Pineau gets injured, but it would certainly give them a dynamic and versatile squad.

They obviously ran out of green textas

As I said before the game, that starting lineup was never going to work for them, and won't against the better teams.

Perth's defence has started to gel, and if that trend continues then SEM will find it hard going.

Pineau will either foul-out early or spend most of time on the bench.

Hunt & Majok have struggled against genuine size, but unless Benson suddenly sparks a massive form reversal, SEM have nobody to challenge Perth.

The match=ups will be interesting, as will be SEM's starting line-up...
IMHO they need to start Benson, with Pinenuts at the and Creek at the 3. That will not only give them the best chance of containing Kay & Hunt, but also allow Creek his best opportunity. If they go with Stephens instead, then they're going to struggle.

Very casual blasé press conference by Phoenix. They need to address how bad they were and not make light of it .

The Phoenix press conference was brilliant. Mitchell gave really great, detailed answers and didn’t hide. After a massive loss, that’s a real credit to him.

NBL missed a massive marketing opportunity with SE Melbourne. With Adnam, Madgen and Creek on the same team they should have been called the Flogs rather than the Phoenix. What a bunch of dickheads!

SBS on demand showed everything bar the press conferences booooo

Pheonix need to make the call, and get rid of benson. Tonight has to be the wake up call doesnt it.

Stevens and Pineau found out tonight.

How many times are SEM going to foul a three point shooter. Ridiculous.

Streaming gone bad

Try living here.

Can we start a petition to ban crowd shots during Wildcats home games?

SEM realising what it’s like to play against a side that plays defence. SEM defensively not looking that flash either, nerves could have a bit to do with it.

Abysmal couple of minutes from SEM to finish that half. Yikes.

It took a while but finally the Phoenix are getting a grown man welcome to the league.

I wouldn't say they've been found out just yet. Still hanging around. They definitely look small against this Wildcats team though.

When the shots aren't dropping the Phoenix look very one dimensional. 13 points isn't a huge obstacle with all the shooters they have though, but I'd like to see them go to Creek down low a lot more and mix things up a bit.

Magenta

Too many quick 3s from the Phoenix.

Bubblegum pink?

What would you call this shade of pink? It has a certain tinge to it.

Phoenix dominating on the offensive glass but can't buy a shot.

Agree on the SEM bigs being a weakness. Could be a break out game for Hunt if he manages to stay out if foul trouble.

Well SEM have their Grown Man replacement import playing tonight?

I actually want SEM to win by 30 after reading that.

Yes should be a cracking game, Perth should not lose this one. Is Pineau going as good as commentators are talking him up or is it the old mates act, Kay will let us no tonight. Creek vWhite could be interesting as well, lots good match ups including the coaches. Perth by 14.

Thanks for starting the thread!

Perth host new boys on the block after getting a double dacking by Cairns last week. Can they strike back? The Phoenix are hot at the moment, but a trip to the west will test them. Are they up to it, or will they end up Mitch Creek without a paddle?

Creek has had a golden start to the season with his name featuring in the leaderboards. #1 for scoring (25.3 ppg) #3 in assists, #4 in rebounds, #3 in steals but down the list in blocks. Then again if you're relying on the boy from Horsham for blocking then your team balance is out.

The Wildcats don't like losing two in a row and should come back strongly. Trevor G would be a bear with a sore head if that happened.

And I think it will..... Wildcats are going to find it hard to knock off a team that has the momentum and would have written down as one of their season goals "Beat the Wildcats in Perth". That would be in red texta in their locker room and come their return to the locker room, the ceremonial green texta will be passed to Mitch Creek so he can put a tick in that box.

Phoenix to out run and out gun Perth by about 8