The contagious defender the Phoenix can’t replace

Ever since Josh King first arrived in the Hungry Jack’s NBL, the South East Melbourne Phoenix have been one of the competition’s top defensive teams.

That is not the case in NBL27, and it’s a big reason why the Phoenix sit ninth with a 3-5 record.

The drop-off from last season can be attributed to losing Defensive Player of the Year John Brown III, as well as two-way wing Wes Iwundu and guard Owen Foxwell.

On Monday’s NBL Overtime, 2019 champion Pete Hooley questioned what the Phoenix’s identity was on that end of the court without Brown.

“I’m not even in the conversation on their offensive end right now, because everyone’s talking about the three-point percentage, that they can’t score the ball compared to [last year],” Hooley said.

“You give up 115 points to Brisbane [and lose].

“Last year, under Josh King, if his team couldn’t score the ball, you just knew they were going to be strong enough defensively.

“Yes, John Brown III, but even before that, when Josh King took over, he made guys who we potentially didn’t say were strong defenders into a great defensive unit.

“I don’t know where their defensive identity is right now.

“That Brisbane game, the overhelping, the communication getting blown by their no-help.

“I have no idea what their defensive identity is, and until they figure that out, I don’t think they’re going to be the best versions of themselves.”

While Brown’s departure leaves a huge hole to fill, fellow panellist Damon Lowery has liked the effort from one of this season’s imports.

“I like the look of D’Shawn Schwartz,” Lowery added.

“He’s gotten into a defensive stance, and locked it down.

“I thought, okay, I’ve seen that version [before]. John Brown III used to look like that.

“I just feel like they’re missing the point-of-attack [defender] up the floor.

“At the back [with Yannis Morin and Jordi Hunter] it can sometimes cover itself, but up the floor, guys are just doing wherever they want.”

Hooley responded to Lowery’s comments by reminding him how special Brown was on defence.

“You said you notice Schwartz get down in a stance,” Hooley said.

“For John Brown III, you notice when he wasn’t in a stance because it didn’t happen. It’s completely opposite.

“You’re noticing when a guy gets down and ready. John Brown III [was] contagious, so everybody was always down and ready.

“That’s the stark difference and you’ve just hit the nail on the head.”

The Phoenix’s next chance to improve their defence and record is on Saturday, October 24 against Adelaide at John Cain Arena.

That Round 6 fixture tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN, 9 (in Melbourne and Adelaide), 9Go! and 9Now.