Does Pinder need "tough love"?

Former NBL MVP, Derek Rucker believes that Perth big man Keanu Pinder is set for a monster performance on Friday night.

“I think Keanu will bounce back big time,” Rucker said on NBL Now.

Pinder is coming off one of the toughest performances of his career, where he scored just 1 point in ten minutes, to go with 4 turnovers.

After lighting it up in the first game against South East Melbourne with 29 points, including four threes, Pinder struggled to get anything going against Sydney and it left coach John Rillie no choice but to limit his minutes.

“I always trust my players and give them an opportunity to get out of it,” Rillie said post-game.

“But then we found a nice group on the floor and we ran with it.”

Rucker believes Pinder just needs a little reminder of what he does best.

“I would just show him some video of games where he’s excelled. I think that’s what sparks him,” he said.

“But also, a little bit of tough love. I think that’s what really got his career going when he received that from Adam Forde up in Cairns.”

Speaking on NBL Overtime, Mitch Creek said Pinder was dealt a tough hand in the Kings' loss, by being put in the wrong position by his teammates.

“Is Keanu your primary ball-handler? No. Is he your secondary ball-handler? No,” Creek said.

“So why is he getting pressure up the court? ... you have to go and get the ball as a point guard.”

With the stage set for what usually delivers an incredible battle between United and Perth, all eyes will be on the battle of the big men.

“It’s a big challenge,” Rucker said.

“He (Pinder) is the most important player on that team. If he doesn’t step up, I think that Perth front line is vulnerable.”

Perth hosts Melbourne at home on Friday night, with tip-off from 9.30pm AEST, live on ESPN via Kayo.