Mitchell on the Team Getting Their Legs Back

South East Melbourne Phoenix Head Coach Simon Mitchell spoke to the media earlier today after the win on Tuesday and before the round 10 game against Brisbane Bullets.

The team have looked to have found their feet defensively after the long break due to Covid-19 protocols in December, but Mitchell believes there is still room for improvement.

(Mitch Creek going for a lay-up.)

“I’m pleased we are improving, I’m pleased that we look like certainly got our legs back more than what we did certainly against Brisbane the last time.

“I feel like we’re still a work in progress at that end of the floor. We’ve had a couple of good performances, but we need to continue to get those performances in place especially against some of the heavier scoring teams,” Mitchell commented.

Mitchell also commented that at the offensive end the Phoenix were also a work in progress.

“Our offensive is still a work in progress…I feel like if we look after the ball a little better then we will be in a better place offensively,” he said.

On Tuesday night against the Taipans, Cam Gliddon and Ryan Broekhoff combined for seven threes’ after a few lean games from beyond the arc.

“It’s pleasing to see them to start make a few but we want to see more of that," Mitchell said.

“And then when they start making them, we need the teammates to start finding them a little more as well."

(Broekhoff and Gliddon combined with 7 threes' on Tuesday night.)

Having games under their belt, Phoenix are hoping to redeem themselves when they face the Bullets in Brisbane on Saturday.

“We have gone through the game earlier this morning and there are some alterations that we’ve made on how we want to defend them. Hopefully we can overcome those (issues from last time) from the lay-off and we will be in a better position to execute this time,” he said.

Zhou Qi was a late withdrawal on Tuesday’s game where he came down with a case of gastro, Mitchell is hoping to have him up and running at training on Friday and hopefully ready for Saturday night. 

Mitchell also commented on playing in front of home fans again before returning to John Cain Arena on Feb 5. 

(Mitchell reiterated how much he and the team enjoyed being back in front of home fans on Tuesday.)

“It was really nice to play in front of some home fans in our last game, that was really great atmosphere up in Traralgon, they got behind us, they were noisy.

“And hopefully when we get back to John Cain Arena we can replicate that too.”

Phoenix fans can watch Saturday night’s game against Brisbane Bullets on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel.

Tickets are now on sale for Phoenix’s first ever Lunar New Year game against Adelaide 36ers on Feb 5.

CLICK HERE to secure your seat.

Kadek Thatcher for Phoenix Media (27/1/22)