"Championship-level performance": Phoenix the new benchmark?

The South East Melbourne Phoenix well and truly stamped their NBL championship credentials on Sunday by defeating ladder-leaders Adelaide at HoopsFest.

Making the 19-point RAC Arena win even more impressive was the fact it was achieved without the Phoenix's leading scorer Nathan Sobey, who missed the game through illness.

As impressive as Josh King's team were on the offensive end, it was their defensive play that caught the eye of 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker.

"I liked their defensive style in this game more than in most of their performances this season," Rucker said on Sunday's episode of Moments That Mattered, presented by Mitsubishi Motors.

"They were more disciplined in how they approached Adelaide defensively. They did not gamble or reach as much. They did not jump passing lanes in ways that would create scoring chances for Adelaide.

"Bryce Cotton still scored 30 points, so they did not shut him down, but overall it was a terrific, championship-level performance by the Phoenix."

Another element of the Phoenix's 17th win of the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season was the performance of recruit Ian Clark, who tallied 27 points (on 11/18 from the field), 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.

"I spoke to Ian Clark on Friday night when the team arrived in Perth. He told me that with five to seven days of practice he would feel significantly better," Rucker said.

"This is a high-level player and an NBA champion, who understands what it takes. He has succeeded in this league before, and today he backed up everything he said. He was outstanding with 27 points.

"He helps remove the inconsistency in their three-point shooting. The Phoenix have been hot and cold from long range, and they take so many attempts.

"Clark is consistent from three and gives them a steady secondary scoring option when Nathan Sobey is unavailable or resting."

The other element of South East Melbourne's play that Rucker noted was how hard they play for each other and coach King.

"An NBA executive told me before we began shooting that Josh King coaches this team hard, which is rare these days," he said.

"Many coaches feel pressure to take a softer approach because of the modern athlete. Josh King does not subscribe to that. He pushes them, and they play with real defensive ferocity.

"Most importantly, these players enjoy competing and succeeding together."

The Phoenix, who have won seven of their past nine games, host New Zealand on Wednesday night in an Ignite Cup fixture at the State Basketball Centre.

That fixture, which is part of a Wednesday night double-header following Melbourne's clash with Brisbane, tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.