Rucker: “They’re a championship-level team”

Losing one of the greatest NBL players of all time to an arch-rival could have rattled the Perth Wildcats, but they’ve responded by rebuilding and reloading, positioning themselves right back in Championship contention.

Seeing Bryce Cotton in an Adelaide jersey will of course sting, yet if John Rillie and his team can deliver another title to the state, it could quickly ease the pain.

“They’ve got all the pieces,” Damon Lowery said on Monday night’s edition of NBL Overtime.

“That is a great roster and there’s no reason that team can’t make the Finals.”

Perth finalised its roster this week by signing G League guard Mason Jones, a high-impact scorer who played a key role in a Championship-winning team last year.

“It’s not about filling Bryce’s shoes anymore … they’re their own identity,” Lowery said.

“Their frontcourt is now dominant. A healthy Kristian Doolittle, he can’t be stopped. We saw what he did in the Semi-Finals (Playoffs) last year.

“Another year with Dylan Windler, the lefty sniper … this guy’s a bucket.

“You’ve got all the backcourt pieces, you bring in Sunday Dech, you’ve got Lat Mayen, there’s depth all over the place.

“The biggest problem for John Rillie is, ‘how do I manage guys’ minutes?’”

The most significant signing of all shapes as the team’s ultimate wildcard.

“Great job by Mark Arena, John Rillie and the staff … you go out and get ‘JLA’,” Lowery continued.

“The signing of JLA was massive and one of the top three transactions in the off-season, because of where the Perth Wildcats found themselves,” former MVP Derek Rucker said.

“They have a Championship level team.”

Lual-Acuil Jr. was a dominant presence in the Hungry Jack’s NBL previously and is showing no signs of slowing down at 31.

Another late signing was Ben Henshall, whose US college opportunities ultimately fell through, leaving the Wildcats thrilled to have their young star back.

“Ben Henshall is someone that gives them a bit of an x-factor, a livewire body, he should be a better shooter this season and I like what he might be able to do defensively, just because of his length and size and athleticism,” Rucker added.

Rucker and Lowery believe the Wildcats have all the pieces to contend for a title, a strong statement given the lingering controversy surrounding Cotton’s departure.

“I like what John Rillie does from a coaching perspective,” Rucker said.

“He cops a lot of grief but he continues to rack up wins and do a good job getting his team deep into the post-season.”