Adelaide coach Joey Wright is confident the 36ers won’t show the same ‘complacency’ which plagued their run to the NBL finals in their playoff showdown with the Illawarra Hawks this week.
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The 36ers lost four straight NBL games, including two matches in the final round to Cairn Taipans, to stumble into the 2016-17 post-season.
Speaking after their 98-89 loss to the Taipans on Saturday night, Wright couldn’t hide his disappointment.
But the experienced coach believes his men won’t make the same mistakes when their finals campaign begins against the Hawks on Thursday night.
“Although [we are] young, at this point and time in the season they should understand that complacency shouldn’t be any part of what we do. We know we can score, but in the finals there shouldn’t be any complacency, so that should not be a factor,” Wright said.
“Right now, [complacency] has been a factor for us.”
Adelaide still finished the season two wins clear at the top of the competition with a 17-11 record.
However, despite their league-best record they have struggled against the Hawks (15-13) this season.
Illawarra had the minor premiers measure during four regular season meeting, winning the series 3-1.
