Phoenix set to rise

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

"I had them in the six in the pre season, and I still believe they can make the six."

The South East Melbourne Phoenix enter a new era this week, and with a squad Brad Rosen believes can still achieve something special, despite their winless start.

“I have no doubt that South East Melbourne can get it going,” Rosen said on NBL Now.

“The Illawarra Hawks were in a much worse state this time last year, they made a change and we’re a quarter away from a Grand Final.”

With the Phoenix parting ways with Mike Kelly, all eyes will be on how the team responds to the change this week.

Sam Mackinnon has stepped in as the interim coach, and Rosen believes he is in a perfect place to get the best of this roster.

“Sammy’s one of our best players to ever put a shoe on, the number one thing for him as a coach is to just do it his way.”

At a press conference on Monday, Simon Mitchell stated that he has full belief of this roster and that’s a sentiment Rosen echoes.

“Their personnel is good,” Rosen said.

“(Matt) Hurt is killing it … Derrick Walton Jr was an MVP in a Grand Final series … it just hasn’t synced yet.”

In years past, any team beginning 0-5 would have had a tough time making it to a top four by season's end. With the Play-In tournament recently introduced, the possibility of still playing finals basketball is still achievable for all.

“I had them (the Phoenix) in the six in the pre-season, and I still believe they can make the six,” Rosen added.

“I’m quite excited for the club going forward."