Santamaria: Finals Bound Phoenix, Creek in MVP Race

Amid a chorus of NBL media and commentator’s sleeping on the South East Melbourne Phoenix’s finals chances this season, Liam Santamaria’s eyes are wide open.

Santamaria expects the Phoenix to make the finals, and for captain Mitch Creek to be in the mix for MVP.

“They have a fit and ready to rumble Mitch Creek, who I think will be an MVP contender,” Santamaria told RSN. “He had some soreness in a bunch of different places in the second half of last year in what was an MVP calibre campaign early. 

“He’s coming in ready to rip this league apart.”

Santamaria believes the Phoenix have vastly improved their roster and will be a very different team on the defensive end this year. 

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 “They’ve made some changes with their roster and bought in some good imports who I understand are settling in well,” he said. “Keifer Sykes and Ben Moore are going to surprise some people. They also played money-ball with a couple of free agents in Cam Gliddon and Rueben Te Rangi. Both of those guys underwhelmed a little in Brisbane last year but are looking to bounce back in a fresh environment.

“From what I’ve heard and seen in pre-season they’ve improved defensively.”

The co-host of NBL Overtime believes anyone underestimating the Phoenix this year are in for a surprise.

“I am very high on this squad, I like their chances to have a really big year this year,” he said. “I think they are going to shock some people in NBL21.”

The Phoenix kick of NBL21 at 3 pm today when they take on the Adelaide 36ers.

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Phoenix Media (17/01/2021)