NBL Champions Back Phoenix Finals Push

The South East Melbourne Phoenix are flying at the moment. With five wins in their last six games the Phoenix have launched themselves not just into the finals places – but into top two contention.

Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze waxed lyrical about the new-look South East Melbourne side during the Phoenix's important win over Adelaide on Sunday, and said he rates them as highly as he does any other team in the competition.

This recent hot streak of form has seen them rise to third on the ladder, with only their inconsistent start to the campaign preventing them from pushing ahead of the impressive New Zealand side that currently sits second.

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Former NBL champion Pete Hooley says the way South East Melbourne has built its roster places them in a strong position to contend for the NBL23 championship.

“They (South East Melbourne) look really good – incredibly level and equal in terms of the puzzle pieces,” Hooley said on NBL Today.

“We talk about New Zealand and Sydney in terms of how well those teams are put together – now we’re seeing it from the Phoenix at full strength.

“Every piece really complements each other. Gary Browne is a fantastic point guard, Mitch Creek [is an] MVP candidate for a reason, Alan Williams is absolutely balling out.”

Despite South East Melbourne’s current run of dominance though there are still cracks in its game.

While Zhou Qi was an impressive influence off the bench for the side in last weekend’s wins over Illawarra and Adelaide, the rest of the Phoenix’s backup brigade struggled to hit the scoreboard and impact proceedings.

Hooley says that’s where the side needs to improve if they want to go all the way this season.

“The bench production has to continue to improve,” Hooley said. “I think that’s something that really gets tested when it comes to finals.

“When it comes to finals we talk about the team that’s the deepest tends to get the job done.

“But as that continues to get better I don’t see why they can’t contend for a championship.”

South East Melbourne is next in action on Thursday, December 15 against Melbourne United.