Winds of change: Windler embraces coach's call

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie sprung a surprise on import forward Dylan Windler when he handed him the job on scoring machine James Batemon - and Windler responded. 

Almost two weeks ago and for the second time in the space of eight days, the Wildcats had front row seats to an offensive explosion, when Batemon produced 51 points.

But Rillie spoke openly about how much time he'd put in studying Batemon's game during the FIBA Break, and ultimately, it worked.

The Bullets' star was restricted to just 10 points on 4/10 shooting.

"You don't just pick anyone for that job, he was the right guy for the job and I challenged him (Windler) with it and he responded very well," Rillie said.

"What everyone is starting to see with Dylan is that he's starting to understand the league, he's getting healthy and you can see he's a really good player which is the reason he was a first round draft pick (in the NBA).

"He can play both ends of the floor and he can impact the game in many different ways. Some nights it's rebounding, scoring, moving the ball and just making great basketball plays.

"I think his teammates understand him a lot better as who he is as a player now too and have a lot of confidence in him as well."

Windler was happy to step up to the plate to take on the challenge of guarding Batemon, and impacted on the offensive end too, finishing with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

"He (Rillie) just asked if I could handle Batemon tomorrow and I told him that I could, no question," Windler said.

"I'm always up for a challenge and obviously when your coach comes to you and gives you that assignment, you look forward to it and you step up to the occasion.

"I felt good tonight and that was my main focus going into the game ... to be solid on the defensive end and making him work, and making it a long night for him. I think I did a good job of that and making him earn every shot he had."

Windler was keeping tabs of what Batemon did when he switched or was off the floor. Keeping him scoreless was near on impossible, but the 28-year-old sure went close.

"I wanna say three (points) when I was out there and I was on the weak side on the bucket, he did hit," he said.

"I wanted it to be zero, but it's all good."