No egos, just sacrifice: The secret to Phoenix's Finals charge

The South East Melbourne Phoenix head into the NBL26 Finals riding high after the club’s best-ever regular season, where they went 22-11 through the competition’s 22 rounds.

While they appreciate that means little once you step onto the court in the Finals, the Phoenix don’t have any plans to change the way they play.

During this week’s Finals Launch, Phoenix coach Josh King discussed the characteristics that make his side so special.

“We saw [on Monday night] two of our guys on All-NBL First Team, which is great recognition for Sobes (Nathan Sobey) and JB (John Brown III),” King said.

“They’re allowed to do what they do because we have so many players, including the likes of Angus Glover and Owen Foxwell, who are happy to take a back seat for the betterment of the team.

“Our guys play for each other and are genuinely happy for each other.”

As well as the unselfishness, King explained how big the defensive side of the ball, led by Damian Martin Trophy winner Brown III, will be in their championship run.

“It was great to see JB get his flowers on Monday night, because he’s far and away the best player for 50 per cent of the game,” King said.

“He’s one of the most dominant players in the league, which allows us to play the way we want to.

“That end of the floor (defence) is going to be a focus for us over the next few weeks, because generally the better defensive sides win in the Playoffs.

“If we play the way I know we’re capable of on that end of the floor, it will create more opportunities for us on offence.”

One of the biggest beneficiaries at that end of the floor has been Sobey, who is averaging a career-high 22 points a game.

“Josh’s system has allowed me to make the plays I do, while putting me in areas to be successful,” Sobey said.

“He [King] and all the coaches have done a great job putting this group together, while also putting all the pieces in the right spots to play their best basketball.”

Sobey and his Phoenix’s next chance to showcase that continuity comes on Wednesday, when they host Perth in the Seeding Qualifier at John Cain Arena.

“It's awesome [to be in the Finals], this is why we play for this time of the year,” Sobey said.

“Having the chance to lace them up next Wednesday night is super special, and you never take those moments for granted.

“I've been through a period where I wasn't in playoff contentions for a while, so obviously, I definitely will try to make the most of these moments.”

That Seeding Qualifier tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.