Was thinking about this myself. We all think Creek should start, and he should, but if he goes in the starting lineup where does that intensity spark come from?

Joshuapending, that's why Carter is in the team, BJ is a great spark, who is the Wildcats spark? They don't have one, they play the best five and if that five doesn't work they change it around. Tell me any basketball team in the world that uses a 'Spark player' to win games?

Whether or not somebody starts means NOTHING from an actuality standpoint.

Players compliment certain teammates better than others, and optimizing chemistry is not "garbage".

'It happens all over the world. It's not who starts it's who finishes.'

Yes you are correct, but most good players coming from the bench are players who are proven to be better playing off the bench than starting after they were given the chance to start.

What I am saying is a player first must be 'GIVEN' a chance to start and show the team what he/she can do before saying he/she is better playing from the bench, especially if an opportunity is open.

Yes PlaymakerMo, we clearly witnesses this last week, when the 6ers played the bottom team, paying half the Salary cap to its entire squad and the 6ers were playing for a great chance at top spot, awesome optimizing chemistry??

This thread really is getting a bit much.

Guess who starts on the pine for Townsville? Only the hottest guy in the league atm, Steve Markovic. He's become even more productive after the lineup adjustment.

The minute Teys looks out of his depth, Creek will come on.

A, there are just so many holes in your original proposition and follow up comments.

I would make this point: for the most part the 36ers are playing good basketball this season. Certainly well enough to be 2nd on the ladder in a competitive league (being last doesn't say a whole lot this season).

If you think Joey hasn't considered starting Creek, you're kidding yourself. Given this, clearly the coaching staff see a better option available, and there are plenty of viable reasons why Joey would decide to start Teys over Creek.

So as a passive observer, do you trust your own judgement over the professional coaches responsible for optimising the outcome of this team? Again, don't kid yourself.

I have to remind myself this every time I see Tommy Greer step onto the hardwood for tipoff.

The ONLY question that needs answering is how early do you want Ennis to catch fire.. If starting Teys actually halts his brilliance for 4 or so minutes before Creek comes on then Teys has done his job and the coach has got it right.

Adelaide have some good defenders but I can't see anyone stopping Ennis, but I'd give BJ Anthony a crack as he has some go in him that could upset Ennis more than any other player on the 36ers roster.

Mitch coming off bench not a big deal. Starting your worst player is.

Keep playing those mind games

At the start of the game Ennis dribble into the guard who gets called for 2 early fouls and has to sit. Later, the refs don't call that all game long.

The way refs are calling games and giving away cheap fouls in the first few minutes, I think it's a good tactic to not have your best five on the court at the start. I think Mitch would be great off the bench, but after say 3-5 minutes. No point waiting until the 8 or 9 minute mark.

The issue is obviously one of team defence. Coaches aren't favouring players who miss defensive rotations and going by Clarke and now Wright underplaying Creek, Mitch must be one of those.

If Mitch doesn't like it and another team needs him more, then he should make a move (Wollongong could use him!). I'd rather have him on my team, but not if it means he's constantly missing out on minutes. Let him off the leash.

I think Brad Hill has been another in this category of player. Look at how frequently he's been pushed to the end of the bench as a season has worn on.

I completely understand chemistry and using guys off the bench to lead second units and all that, I really do, but if brendan teys is starting on the 2nd best team in the league im going to have an existential crisis...

and what anon says:

"Mitch coming off bench not a big deal. Starting your worst player is."

nail on the head

Agree with Isaac, let him off the leash so we dont lose him.

Also agree with Mick, Teys shouldnt be starting, if prefer Mitch as 6th man role, start Schenscher and go big, or even Carter at SF over Teys.

I didnt think Mitch was that bad a defender?

He's not, the 36ers are better defensively when he is on the court. Against Ennis, would you rather a 6'2, unathletic, skinny player in Teys or the 6'5, well built and athletic freak in Creek. I know who I would choose....

utter rubbish

Teys is the Sacrificial lamb to soak up the fouls. Better than Creek taking them... That's my take... Brenden Sponge, no offense but this is his role... Loads of players who would love to sponge off Ennis, Goulding, Tiggs and so on..... Creek hopefully sees the value.....