'They can't handle pressure': Legend calls out Wildcats

Over the past few weeks, there has been plenty made of the Perth Wildcats’ lack of ball handling in the backcourt.

Without guards Jaron Rillie and David Duke Jr., John Rillie only had Elijah Pepper, Ben Henshall and Dontae Russo Nance at his disposal.

Duke Jr is now back in the lineup, but the Wildcats’ apparent lack of ball handling came to the fore once again during Wednesday night’s heavy defeat to South East Melbourne.

The Phoenix forced the Wildcats into 17 turnovers, compared to five themselves, thanks largely to their defensive pressure, which caused a 12-3 steal count.

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One who knows firsthand about being the chief playmaker on a Wildcats side is club legend Ricky Grace, who said the squad “didn’t look battle ready”.

“I said at the beginning of the season, they need a Ricky Grace, but that wasn't pumping my tyres. I was saying that they needed a point guard,” Grace said via Thursday’s NBL Now.

“There's no way you can expect [Kristian] Doolittle to bring the ball up the court, to be the starter and as well as the finisher and sustain that over a full game

“[After Wednesday, now teams know] if you're playing the Wildcats, you’ve got to pressure them, because they just don't have anyone that can control it.”

But the four time NBL champion doesn’t believe all is lost for the Wildcats, offering a solution to the side ahead of their Play-In Game on Saturday against Melbourne United.

“David Duke Jr., physically, athletically, mentally, he can match it when the kitchen gets hot,” he said.

“I would start David Duke, give him a go.”

Saturday’s Play-In Game at RAC Arena tips off at 8pm AEDT, live on ESPN.

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