Creek Says Odds in Our Favour

Last season the JackJumpers players, coaches, staff, and fans were glued to the TV as the Phoenix took on the Wildcats at home in the seasons last game. The equation that night was simple, the Phoenix win, the JackJumpers were in the finals, lose, and Perth held onto their 32-year finals streak. 

History tells us the Phoenix won, ending the longest finals streak in Australian sporting history and sending the JackJumpers to the final four. 

On Sunday night, the Phoenix players, coaches, fans and staff will be in a similar situation. 

The season's final two games will go a long way to deciding where the Phoenix finish in the standings.

Phoenix co-captain Mitch Creek isn't overly concerned, believing the team is in an excellent position to make the play-in qualifiers.

"It's a fun time for us because it's exciting. Basketball is that close in Australia in the NBL. We understand that we have put ourselves in a pretty good position, but the job's not done. We are in a pretty good position, the percentage is in our favour, but we are sitting here scratching our heads, hoping for the best. At the same time, we are still training as per usual. For us, it's a good time but also a nervous one," Creek said to SEN WA earlier today.

(All eyes will be on NBL's Sunday Hoops to see where Phoenix will finish on the ladder.)

All eyes will be on Sunday's final two games when Melbourne United takes on Adelaide 36ers and Perth Wildcats verse Sydney Kings. The results of those games will eventuate to where Phoenix will finish, with the most likely outcomes being either 5th or 6th.

With Phoenix playing their round 18 game earlier in the season against the Brisbane Bullets due to a covid outbreak in the New Zealand Breakers camp which saw a schedule re-shuffle; Phoenix has a week to freshen up bodies in time for the play-in, with Ryan Broekhoff racing the clock to return from a groin injury for the do or die game.

"Look, there are so many different scenarios; it's kind of a little tongue twister. For us, it's not too bad, we had a few injuries as of late, so it freshens some bodies up. The numbers are in our favour but in saying that, Melbourne United have to beat Adelaide by about 38 points. If they do that, we do get knocked out, but we do hope Adelaide come out and put on a very strong performance and go snatch a win or keep it nice and close," Creek commented.

Creek still believes the best is yet to come for the Phoenix after being stricken by injuries throughout the season, but he has full faith that a full-strength Phoenix will be tough to come up against throughout the finals.

"I think that we have not remotely played our best basketball, and I think there is room for improvement. Even against Sydney, which we played last week, our best is far greater than theirs. We have given up a lot of points; we haven't had our full roster, and we've been shaken up a little bit.  

"I think when we are healthy, we are going to be a tough team to stop. But in saying that, we need to be healthy, and if we are not, we've got to go out there and put our best foot forward with the team that we have. I think that's still enough to ruffle some feathers. I don't think many teams want us in the finals, but we have to be there, put our hand up and step up to the challenge of the play-in game," he said.

(Phoenix will hope to re-gain sharpshooter Broekhoff in time for the play-ins.)

During the week, Creek was announced as a finalist for the Andrew Gaze MVP Trophy alongside Wildcats player Bryce Cotton and Kings player Xavier Cooks. When asked about being nominated, Creek was humbled by the recognition but focused on striving for the club's play-in game and towards their first championship.

"I feel I have been consistent; I don't think I have too much difference between my best and my worst games. It's a very worthy three, and it's amazing to be nominated for that. But unfortunately, I don't play for those awards. It's a great group to be around, but at the same time, for me, it's making this play-in game. Hopefully, Perth get the job done, and we play against Perth, and we have a great match-up there," Creek said.

Phoenix Media (03/02/23)