Rillie laments Wildcats' lapses

Respect the game, or be benched – that’s the message from Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie, who has taken aim at his team for their lapses in games. 

The Wildcats led by as much as 16 points against Cairns during their Hungry Jack’s NBL Blitz opener, but within an 11-minute block, their lead evaporated completely. 

They then fought back to win by seven points. 

It’s those lapses Rillie is desperate to stop. 

“I think we’ve shown we have the makings of being a special team, but when we relax and disrespect the game, we can be very poor as well,” he said. 

“That’s what pre-season is about. When you have some youth, that happens. They’ll allow me to coach them and make those points. For us to get consistency, we have to address those as we move forward.”

Perth boasts some of the most exciting young guns in the league, with Next Star Alex Sarr NBA-bound and Centre of Excellence product Ben Henshall leading the charge. 

Alongside the likes of Bryce Cotton, Keanu Pinder and Jordan Usher, they’ll be hoping to help their team to Championship glory. 

But Rillie is wary talent can only take his team so far. 

“Everyone is fighting for minutes. We have a number of talented players and we only have 40 minutes to go around. You’d better respect it and go about it the right way, otherwise it’s going to be really hard for you to get back on the floor,” he said. 

“The guys have done a great job of evolving as a group with their personality and us as a team. The next step is respecting every possession.

“It’s not going to be perfect but just thinking it’s going to happen – in any sport, if just doesn’t happen. You’ve just got to respect that part of it.”

Perth is set to take on the Adelaide 36ers in their second game at the Blitz on Tuesday night.