Creek: "We Sucked Last Year"

South East Melbourne had a season to forget in NBL22. After beginning the campaign with eight wins from their first ten games, the Phoenix capitulated in the second half of the season to miss out on finals all together.

Since last season’s heartbreak they, like most other sides, have re-tooled ahead of the new season. Their hopes don’t just hinge on a finals return, but they’re out to win the first championship in the history of the club.

“We sucked last year to put it in black and white,” Creek told SEN. “If I remember correctly, Tassie beat us in the second or third last game of the season which we needed to win [and] Melbourne beat us by one point which was a heartbreaker.

“Finals is the first thing we need to check off, but along the way we have a long list of things we need to accomplish and getting everyone healthy is number one.

“We’re always going to try and push the boundaries of our players and our playing group. We have to find a way to continue to get better.”

The NBL recently announced a new rule change related to defensive plays at the rim. As one of the most high-flying and physical players the competition has to offer, Creek believes the rule change is set to benefit him.

He produced one of the plays of the season in NBL22, flying high over former Melbourne United guard Matthew Dellavedova to throw down a monster dunk in a heated clash between the rival sides.

“It’s (the rule change) perfect for me, getting my head on the rim is a forte of mine that works out pretty well. Now there’s less help side it’s going to be easier for me to score and put pressure on the paint,” Creek said.

“If you look around the league I think each team is trying to figure out how much they can push the rule, and referees are going to adjust over the next couple of weeks as well trying to get the call down pat.

“We’re not going to drive every single time, but there’s going to be an emphasis of putting our head on the rim and making a call for the referee. Whether it’s the right decision or not, we feel like it’s going to be an advantage for us at South East.

“It’s trying to open up the game and we’re trying to transition a bit more to the American lifestyle on court. We’ve got some great athletes in this year so it’s an exciting time to come out and see it if you’re a fan of basketball.”

One thing Creek will be hoping to achieve out of the new rule change is the opportunity to get to the foul line more than he ever has in his career.

He’s shot at a respectable 80 per cent clip from in each of the last two seasons – a massive improvement from the 55 per cent he managed in the 2011-'12 season with the 36ers.

“I haven’t really been on the receiving end of a lot of foul shots comparative to a couple of other players in the league over the last couple of years. Considering I put my head on the rim quite a bit, I feel like I deserve a few calls here and there,” Creek added. 

“You’ve got to adjust and find a way to play through that so whether the rule is a good thing or a bad thing for the league, time will tell, but the thing is they’re trying new things.

“I’m a big fan of his, but I think Bryce Cotton shot the most free throws by a country mile and a few extra yards and a few footy fields … he draws fouls at a very high level. I think I need to buy him a few cappuccinos and some chai lattes and sit down and try and pick his brain and see what he’s doing.”