Reeling Phoenix given snowball’s chance

Traditionally, a Throwdown brings out the best in Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix no matter their form, as emotions reach boiling point in the battle for bragging rights.

Damon Lowery doesn’t see it playing out that way this time, believing the Phoenix’s recent form gives them no chance.

“They have about as much chance... as a snowball in Darwin,” he said on NBL Now, presented by CODE Sports.

“That’s how much chance they got of winning that game. It ain’t going to happen.”

The Phoenix have been under the microscope in recent weeks, and the spotlight has only intensified after they parted ways with import Skylar Mays and slumped to a disappointing loss to Illawarra on Wednesday.

That 120-110 defeat was their third straight, with the Hawks piling on 71 points in the first half, and it left the Phoenix ninth on the ladder, ahead of only the Breakers on percentage. Coach Josh King didn’t hold back post-game either, suggesting some of his players were too focused on themselves.

“Not only that they’re going to lose... Melbourne United might score 140... that’s how bad the Phoenix’s defence is,” Lowery added.

“And you’re going to get a pissed off Melbourne United after what happened to them in Adelaide.”

United arrived in Adelaide on Thursday as the hottest team in the competition, only to find themselves trailing by 34 points in the second quarter. Jacob Chance’s side clawed back the margin to give themselves a chance at a miraculous comeback.

As for the Phoenix, Lowery turned to a David Goggins speech for inspiration, sending a message to a team desperate for a win.

“Do you all like basketball? First, I need to know, do you like basketball?,” he said.

“If you like it, that ain’t enough. You need to love it.

“And what will you do to show your love for the game, for basketball? What if this was your last game you ever played?

“There’s people out there getting injured. There’s people out there in the world that would kill to have your job right now. What are you gonna do with this one opportunity?

“Act like it’s your last time you ever gonna play this game. Are you gonna leave it out there?

“What do you want your basketball legacy to be, as teammates? Can you step up and show something, or is this the best you got?

“Is this it? Because if this is it, we might as well just pack it up right now. The season’s over with.”

The Phoenix get their chance to prove Lowery wrong when Throwdown 35 tips off at John Cain Arena on Saturday night at 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN, 9Go! and 9Now.