MVP blasts Cotton treatment

On the eve of the most anticipated game of the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season, one NBL champion has taken aim at the Perth Wildcats.

Five-time MVP Bryce Cotton finally returns to Perth on Sunday to play against the side he won three championships with.

1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker has criticised the Wildcats for handling off Cotton's contract situation, where they reportedly gave the University of Providence alum a deadline to put pen-to-paper on a new deal out west. He went on to sign a three-year deal with the 36ers soon after.

"If I'm Bryce, I would have said 'hey, take this timeline, write it down on a piece of paper and wipe your arse with it'," Rucker said via basketball.com.au.

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Now the stage is set for the talking to stop and for the walking to happen during an absolute blockbuster at RAC Arena, which will be filled to the brim by the Red Army.

Rucker has implored the home fans to pay respect to their former champion.

"Let's talk about guys you do not want to boo in NBL history," Rucker said.

"Cotton, Chris Goulding, don't boo him, don't boo Shane Heal and don't boo Lanard Copeland.

"They're going to make you pay in a way that is not going to be good ... I would love to be in this situation if I were Bryce, going back to Perth, I mean, it's not like he doesn't feel comfortable shooting at RAC Arena."

To add to the narrative, Perth got the better of Cotton's 36ers in the pair's first matchup in Adelaide, so the American will be returning to RAC Arena extremely motivated.

A controversial 'Lying King' headline from the West Australian newspaper at the time of his move infuriated the star, while club owner Mark Arena has since said the club had "no regrets" in moving on from the five-time MVP.

Sunday's blockbuster tips off at 4.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN and 10 Drama.