In The Post – Vasiljevic’s best still to come

Catch up on all the latest headlines from around the basketball world in today’s edition of In the Post.

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Vasiljevic’s best still to come

Dejan Vasiljevic’s best is yet to come according to Sydney Kings coach Chase Buford.

“He’s worked his tail off getting back from a tough injury and done everything he can to put himself in a position to help his team. We brought him back slowly at first to make sure we were responsible with him. But as the season goes on, you’re just going to continue to see more and more of who he is and the best is yet to come,” Buford said via the Sydney Morning Herald.

McIntosh blocks out the noise

After his breakout performance over Melbourne, Tasmania JackJumpers import MiKyle McIntosh said he tried to block out the critics suggesting he should be replaced.  

“I mean you always hear chatters of people saying things or people online commenting things on different stuff but at the same time you are a professional athlete, it comes with it, some people don't like the way you are playing,” McIntosh said via The Examiner.

“Out of all the people that didn't like the way I was playing was myself, I was hard on myself, so I did hear some of it, I try not to listen to it, I try not to focus on that because I've got to focus on my own process.”

United needs to find right mindset

Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding says the team needs to find a way to be locked in from the start of games, as opposed to trying to reign in large deficits.

“We have to find it (the mindset). We need to have that ‘claw this thing back’ mentality from the jump because when everyone’s locked in and making it tough for the other team we’re a tough team to score on,” Goulding said via The Age.

Breakers “disappointed” in effort 

New Zealand Breakers coach Dan Shamir was more than disappointed in his side’s effort in their loss to Sydney yesterday.

“Disappointed is an under-statement. A few days ago we played extremely hard, had a lot of great possessions with effort, on defence and getting in passing lanes and making opponents feel us. We didn’t do that at the beginning of this game, gave up 50 points [in the first half] and struggled defensively the whole game, and with our shot-making,” Shamir said via Stuff.

Hawks ready to respond

Illawarra Hawks star Duop Reath says the club is ready “play harder” as they aim to get back on the winners list in tonight’s game against South East Melbourne.

“What happened with New Zealand was very disappointing, especially at the defensive end. I don't think it has anything to do with the schemes, we've just got to play harder,” Reath said via the Illawarra Mercury.

Turnovers the key for Phoenix

South East Melbourne Phoenix stand-in coach Judd Flavell says the club needs to clean up their turnover issues in tonight’s clash with the Hawks.

“We’ve got to look after the basketball, that’s for sure. We can’t have wasted possessions and gift the ball to the opposition,” Flavell said via the Herald Sun.