Broekhoff will be a game changer: Creek
South East Melbourne Phoenix co-captain Mitch Creek believes Ryan Broekhoff’s signing will completely change the club’s culture from a vocal presence point of view.
Broekhoff arrived at Phoenix training on Monday after completing his 14-day quarantine period in Sydney.
The former Dallas Mavericks swingman looked comfortable as he put up shots and met his new teammates.
The Phoenix remain undecided if Broekhoff will make his NBL debut against Melbourne United on Wednesday night, but Creek is convinced that the ex-NBA guard is going to have a significant impact not only with his basketball skills.
Ryan Broekhoff’s first training session with the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Picture: Phoenix media.Source:Supplied
“Ryan will have those conversations that are hard to have but they need to be had,” Creek said.
“He does all the little things well and he is such a genuine guy.
“He is going to come in and do what we need, but he’ll see issues like any of the other leaders and he’ll start to become a voice within the team.
“He will bring a cultural standpoint that we have but it will continue to grow with him in the side.
“But Ryan is obviously a world-class shooter, he spreads the floor, he moves the ball well and he defends and communicates at a very high level.”
Creek believes Broekhoff’s greatest quality is his selflessness, which fits the culture that South East Melbourne is trying to build.
He insists this team-first focus is why the Australian Boomers representative will be successful in the NBL.
“Ryan isn’t going to come in and demand 40 minutes of ‘I need the ball’ and get out of my way,” he said.
“He comes from the southeast in Frankston, so he will bleed green straight away.
“This is home for him and that is the best thing. He doesn’t have to come here and be a star. He just has to come in as the local guy who feels comfortable in a system around the team, and he will flourish off that.”
South East Melbourne recruit Ryan Broekhoff during his NBA days with the Dallas Mavericks. Picture: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFPSource:AFP
Broekhoff couldn’t be happier to be back on the court, especially after 14 days of quarantine, but he has warned that it will take time to recapture his best form.
“It’ll be a little while to get back into full rhythm and obviously the conditioning level you need to be at to play,” Broekhoff said.
“But it’s great to finally be back on court.
“It’s definitely good to get some of the cobwebs out. It was an interesting first half of training, but I felt better towards the end and started getting a lot better.
“I’m ready to get back as soon as possible but trying to be smart about it as well.”
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