In The Post – United and Phoenix’s war of words

Catch up on all the latest headlines from around the basketball world in today’s edition of In the Post.

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Verbal barbs thrown between United and Phoenix 

Melbourne United forward Mason Peatling says he was standing up for his teammate. South East Melbourne Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell says Peatling is using the “protecting Delly” line as an excuse.

Verbal tensions have boiled over ahead of tonight’s Throwdown, with the fallout from Mitck Creek’s dunk over Dellavedova in December, and the following scuffle, still lingering.

The Age has the full story and quotes from both teams.

United “best team in Melbourne”: Goulding

Melbourne captain Chris Goulding says United is the best team in the city ahead of tonight’s Throwdown.

“We feel we’re the best team in Melbourne and we want to win every time we play them,” Goulding told Newscorp.

Qi feeling “comfortable” in NBL

South East Melbourne Phoenix star Zhou Qi says he is comfortable in the NBL ahead of tonight’s Throwdown against Melbourne United.

“I just want to focus here. Obviously I've thought about [going to the NBA]. But at the moment I feel pretty comfortable here in Australia,” Qi told the ABC.

NBA scouts flock to NBL 

Newscorp has reported multiple NBA scouts are coming to Australia to watch NBL games over the coming weeks, with Sydney Kings guard Jaylen Adams high on the watchlist.

Click here to read the full story.

Forde blasts Taipans again

After losing five of their past six games, Cairns Taipans coach Adam Forde has blasted his squad, not hiding his frustration around the team making the same mistakes over and over again.

“We went through it upstairs (watching tape), and my frustration is the sense that we’re highlighting the same deficiencies in our offence and our defence each week. So either you’re not listening, or you’re an idiot,” Forde said via the Cairns Post.

DJ doesn’t regret Hodgson sledge

Ahead of the two teams facing off again on Saturday night, Sydney guard Dejan Vasiljevic says he doesn’t regret the sledge he gave Wildcats’ centre Matthew Hodgson a few weeks ago, which led to Hodgson shoving him in the face and copping a two-game ban.

“It was just a bit of trash talk and banter between the both of us. There was nothing that I said to Matty that I wouldn’t say to anyone else,” Vasiljevic told Newscorp.

Morrison reveals family toll

Perth Wildcats coach Scott Morrison has revealed how much of a toll the club’s extended road trip has taken on his family.

“It wasn’t what we signed up for. I think that’s not a big secret. But it’s no-one’s fault. It’s just the way things go. We’re just trying to do our best as a family to deal with it,” Morrison told The West Australian’s The Dribble podcast.

Broekhoff open to NBA and Boomers 

Phoenix star Ryan Broekhoff says the door is still open for him to return to the NBA or the Australian Boomers.

“There is no shut door on the NBA or playing for Australia,” Broekhoff told Newscorp.

Energetic starts key for Hawks

Illawarra Hawks big man Sam Froling says bringing the heat and energy from tip-off will be the key in tomorrow night’s clash with the Cairns Taipans.

“A big thing for us this season has been matching the (other) team's energy and playing hard - that's where we've fallen down a little bit,” Froling said via the Illawarra Mercury.