Phoenix urged to ‘pull socks up’ for Throwdown

Ahead of a blockbuster Throwdown clash, the South East Melbourne Phoenix have been urged to “pull their socks up” on the defensive end.

Speaking on NBL Now, 2001 NBL champion Damon Lowery believes the Phoenix need to give a better effort on defence, with the club quickly being stuck with the label of being a poor defensive group.

South East Melbourne gave up 106 points to Perth last Friday night, after conceding 100 or more points in two of its three NBL Blitz games.

Lowery says the playing group need to engineer a turnaround if the Phoenix hope to take down their crosstown arch-rivals Melbourne United on Thursday night.

“I need to see all South East Melbourne Phoenix players playing defence like they give a damn,” Lowery said.

“Like their basketball lives depend on it because right now the reputation from the preseason is now preceding them. Everybody is talking, you guys can’t play D.

“They need to take some pride. I know Angus Glover and Matt Kenyon are probably their best defensive players, and Jordy Hunter is a good rim protector but as a collective, they got to pull their socks up.”

Hunter impressed in his club debut against the Wildcats, but was limited to just 20 minutes with foul trouble.

He posted 19 points and seven rebounds in that time and Lowery thinks he can exploit United’s bigs – but he needs to stay on the floor to do so.

“I need to see Jordy Hunter on the floor for more than 20 minutes. He was sensational in that round one game but he only played the 20 minutes … he has got to be out there for 30 minutes, it’s as simple as that,” Lowery said.

“They (United) don’t really have that back-up centre guy, and I feel like he is that mobile and that talented, he has got an advantage over Marcus Lee and Rob Loe.”

Hunter admitted he is trying to find ways to be aggressive and effective without fouling.

“It’s probably not the best mindset for me to be out there and protecting fouls straight away and I don’t intend to play that way, but you always have to be cognisant,” Hunter said.

“I’ll keep doing my best, I want to be out there as much as possible but there are also guys who will get out there and help me if I’m not ready.”

Tip-off between the Melbourne foes is 7:30pm AEDT on Thursday night with the game to be broadcast live on ESPN.

Tickets are available via Ticketek.