Cotton’s homecoming turns into Sixers' revenge shot

Making sure Bryce Cotton feels the support of his Adelaide 36ers teammates is a priority ahead of his return to Perth on Sunday. However, for Zylan Cheatham, the emotional side of Cotton’s homecoming pales in comparison to the Sixers’ hunger to beat the Wildcats.

Cotton’s return to RAC Arena in a 36ers uniform is creating huge anticipation. The three championships and five MVP awards he won with the Wildcats make this one of the most eagerly awaited contests of NBL26.

Cheatham understands that completely. He wants the Sixers to rally around Cotton and make sure he feels supported during what is certain to be an emotional occasion. But the bigger picture is just as important.

The Sixers have only lost three games this season. Their most recent defeat came at home to the Wildcats on November 9, something Cheatham has not forgotten heading into Sunday.

Fresh off Friday night’s dominant 90 to 65 home win over the Brisbane Bullets, Cheatham quickly turned his attention to revenge against the Wildcats.

"If you cannot get up for a game like this, I do not know if you are in the right business, so for us this is a team that came in and smacked us in the mouth at our crib," Cheatham said.

"We took that very much personal and I think the majority of the group feels that, and obviously Bryce has his personal stuff going on, but for us it is a matter of coming out, executing and getting a road win to try and get some more separation on that ladder."

Cheatham described Cotton as brother to his teammates and the head of their snake, and said the team wants to rally around him in what will be a very emotional game.

"I think that is definitely going to have some kind of impact, but the fact they (the Wildcats) beat us at home trumps every other thing, and they are one of three teams that we have lost to and we have not got a win against them," he said.

"Personally I did not play well and that was one of my worst games of the season so that is where my head is at with that, and obviously I want to support my brother in any way I can, but we just want to get a road win."

Adelaide coach Mike Wells hopes that the Red Army at RAC Arena on Sunday give Cotton the type of reception that a player of his stature deserves. He believes Cotton is likely the greatest Wildcats player of all time.

What that reception looks like, he is not entirely sure about. Wells can even see a positive if parts of the Perth crowd turn hostile towards Cotton now that he is in a Sixers uniform, because it could light a fire under him.

"I have no idea what an appropriate response is, all I was meaning was just what he accomplished there is really an amazing nine years with the championships, the MVPs and everything that goes along with it," Wells said.

"The big games, the scoring and his career in Perth is really remarkable and I do not know how they are going to welcome him. I would hope that they welcome him back but if they boo him the whole time, that might be good too.

"I do not know, if they boo Bryce it might be great for me, right, but we will just see. I do not know, guys."