Phoenix to Unveil Three-Headed Monster

South East Melbourne Phoenix head coach Simon Mitchell joined the NBL's ‘The Huddle’ podcast with Liam Santamaria last week to speak about the upcoming season and the team's three imports.

Mitchell and the Phoenix couldn't be happier with the three imports they have assembled for the NBL23 season, even if many in the NBL media are already underrating them.

The experience of Puerto Rican Gary Browne is something Mitchell is excited to have part of his roster. Browne's journey to Phoenix started last year but was left too late in conversations to bring him into the squad with another offer on the table. 

The opportunity finally arose to add Browne to the roster for NBL23.

"We were always going to go with an import point guard; that's how we have done it for three years. Gary Browne is someone we had a really good look at last year. So, when the off-season came along, that was a bit of a no-brainer to get Gary, and that happened quick. It was an easy transition this year.

"One of the things we had trouble with last year with line ball situations down the stretch of the game, is decision-making, are we all on the same page, and is it all being communicated out of the floor. That's Gary's bread and butter. He's a clutch performer, a clutch guy, and a leader. I feel like that's going to help us go a long way," Mitchell said.

(Browne has been on the Phoenix watch list since last year and he is finally joining the team for NBL23.)

Adding to the backcourt was the signing of Trey Kell. 

"You always want to go with the Australians if you can and plug your holes with the Americans. But incorporating plans A, B, C, and D and all the roster scenarios. I'm going through all and who are potential two men that we can bring in. Trey was right at the top. We actually inquired about him really early and got laughed at because he was coming out of Euro League with really good money over there," Mitchell said.

"But when Summer League approached, his management got touch back in touch with us, we had conversations, I think they've seen how guys can bounce in the NBL and get into the NBA. He is a really high level player, obviously playing Euro League last year, and just little bit more knowledge about us, our league, our team, Yanni Wetzel may have had a word with him about us as well which helps; he became more comfortable, his management became more comfortable, and it was just, we are getting a player of this calibre we got to roll with this.

"An elite defender, they put him on guys, and he was the shutdown guy, so you got that element with him. But if you watch him earlier in the Italian season with another club, he's the go-to guy scoring wise, and he played some point guard and he did a bit of this and a bit of that. So many elements to his game."

(Kell will make up the import backcourt along with Browne.)

The final import spot was filled by Alan' Big Sauce' Williams. Mitchell commented how he had no expectations when his name came up in conversation.

"I first saw him in person playing with Creeky at Long Island. He is just an elite talent, his touch is unbelievable, ferocious rebounder, a big body (that) takes up space, he's not an on the rim guy, he is a little different than perhaps what our job description was that we were looking for," Mitchell said.

"But he is such an elite talent, such an elite scorer, passer, high IQ, defends, he is going to be really good for us," he said. 

('Big Sauce' will bring the passion to the Phoenix.)

Mitchell also spoke highly of the group of young backups the Phoenix had assembled and how word of mouth is important in getting these elite players into the NBL, and a key way to help grow the league and also the Phoenix.

Expectations are high on new local names Junior Madut, Grant Anticevich and development player Owen Foxwell.

"The real positive for us is bringing in some kids. Wonderful watching Junior Madut who has been fantastic; Grant Anticevich has been awesome. Getting those young guys in, Owen Foxwell as our DP. Just getting those guys prepared for what is ahead has been promising. And then getting kids in from other associations, we have an excellent working group," Mitchell said.

Better communication was one of the big takeaways from the post-mortem of last season. 

When player Ryan Broekhoff went down due to a shoulder injury, the team went 4-7.

"Firstly, we need to be a better communicating team. We lost Ryan Broekhoff and a great player, but the most significant impact was our communication ability. Now Rowdy didn't get his name for being the loudest bloke, but in our team, he is one of the great communicators, and we lost that and couldn't fill the void.

"I don't think you can sort of put it down to injuries and say we were unlucky, we weren't good enough. We always talk about scratching the surface; we didn't feel like we weren't firing on all cylinders," he commented.

(Anticevich has been a stand-out during pre-season training, is one to watch.)

The Phoenix have two more roster spots to fill.

"I'm having an open mind with our last roster spot. We've got a development position to fill as well. I think we need a little bit of flexibility up front on our roster. But at the same time, I've got to scan the talent levels available. Is it the best player available, is it specific needs, we need a little support for guys with little on-going nicks. These are things we all have to weigh up, which is why we are being patient," he said.

To listen to the full chat of Mitchell with Liam Santamaria check it out HERE.

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Phoenix Media (29/8/22)