Back with a vengeance: MVP finds his groove

After an injury plagued first half of the season, former championship winner and finals MVP Derrick Walton Jr is back to his best for his new team.

Walton Jr scored 28 points, including six made threes, in South East Melbourne’s big win over the Adelaide 36ers on Saturday night.

“It’s good to see Derek back out there and playing at the level we know that he’s capable of playing at,” Phoenix head coach Josh King said.

It was the first time in 11 games this season that the superstar guard has scored more than 20 points in a game.

“One thing that’s always very consistent, whether I’m playing well or not, is that I’m always confident. That’s just who I am,” Walton Jr said post-game.

“For me, it’s just finally finding a groove with the guys.”

When Walton Jr was with Sydney in their championship winning season in NBL23, he had 11 games where he scored more than 20 points, including a 45-point performance against the Phoenix.

“I’m someone who can do a lot of things,” he added.

“We got a lot of firepower on offence so it’s just more so me understanding who I am and who I’ve been my whole career.”

After beginning the season 0-5, the Phoenix sit fifth on the NBL standings with a 9-9 record.

With Matt Hurt in All-NBL contention and Nathan Sobey firing, it seems the x-factor in this team’s ceiling is their veteran point guard.

“Just trying to find a groove each game and it might be different,” Walton Jr said about his impact.

“I’m a winner, sometimes it’s going to be me scoring 26 and sometimes its 15 and 10, it’s going to vary.

“I call myself a chameleon, I just try to take what the game gives me.”