Australian Mitch Creek opens up about NBA dream, South East Melbourne Phoenix and winning mindset

Go hard or go home. It is that simple for Mitch Creek.The Australian NBA hopeful’s future hinges on an impressive Summer League stint at Minnesota Timberwolves next month.

Mitchell Creek in action for the Brooklyn Nets against the Boston Celtics. Picture: Getty

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Go hard or go home.

It is that simple for Mitch Creek.

The Australian NBA hopeful’s future hinges on an impressive Summer League stint at Minnesota Timberwolves next month.

If Creek is able to secure a spot on the Wolves’ roster the 27 year-old will fulfil a lifelong dream.

If not, the unapologetically fierce competitor wants to guide NBL expansion team South East Melbourne Phoenix to a championship.

“It’s the mindset you either have or you don’t have, and I have it,” Creek told the Herald Sun exclusively.

“I know everyone else is going to have it because I’m going to make sure everyone else is going to have it, it’s infectious.

“I know some people don’t like it, but those people are what? They’re probably losers. They don’t win many games and aren’t competitive.”

Mitch Creek in NBA action for the Brooklyn Nets against the Boston Celtics in January. Picture: Getty Images

Phoenix dropped a bombshell last year unveiling Creek as its marquee signing.

But how many games he actually plays next season remains the great unknown.

It is a question not even the ex-Adelaide 36ers firebrand can answer, not yet anyway.

“Realistically, I can get cut any time,” Creek said. “I don’t know 100 per cent.”

“I’ll be on FaceTimes and calls every week. I’ll ask (Phoenix) coach (Simon Mitchell) every day how training was, who was present, who wasn’t present.

“I don’t care what figure any other team offers, or what they offer me, the first team I’ll play for, if I don’t get signed in the NBA, will be South East Melbourne.”

Mitch Creek goes to the basket for the 36ers. Picture Sarah Reed

Creek must perform at Summer League and get lucky.

Things change from day-to-day in the cutthroat NBA.

A trade or draft pick swap could end the Australia’s bid to win a job on an NBA roster.

But Creek has earned the right and — importantly — time to get noticed last season in the G-League.

It led to three 10-day contracts, an NBA debut for Brooklyn Nets, and a season-ending gig at the Timberwolves.

So profound was Creek’s impact, at both G-League and NBA levels, the Australian’s win-at-all-costs mindset, physicality and intensity propelled the ex-Adelaide 36ers superstar from nobody to somebody, a widely-respected teammate and equally, opponent.

“I’m the white Aussie crazy guy, with tatts and I’ll cut your head off … to win a game,” Creek said.

“I just think if I go back and go about it the right way I’ll get more minutes.

“My process will be perfect. Everything I do from the food I touch, from the water I drink, from the rest I get.

Mitch Creek in action for the Long Island Nets in the NBA G-League in December. Picture: Getty Images

“I’m not going to get a perfect result every time but if I aim for perfection I’ll always fall somewhere pretty good.”

Creek starred in the G-League, averaging 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 41 appearances for Long Island Nets.

While his NBA stats dipped (4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds from limited minutes) the same could not be said about his intensity.

“I had Giannis (Antetokounmpo) coming down the court at 100mph — his 6’11 sexy goddess Greek body tanned and looking oily — hooping arse, and I was like bring it,” Creek said.

“I had (Celtic) Jalen Brown saying ‘(isolate) I got the new kid’, you strap him four times in one possession and then he passes it or shoots a bulls**t two.

“I ain’t moving. I’ll be at your neck all game. I don’t care if I play two minutes or 20, I’m at your neck.

Mitch Creek after taking free throws in place of injured Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for the Brooklyn Nets in January. Picture: AFP

“I’m going to find a way to not make you score and if I’m not good enough to do that then I’ve got six fouls and 12 dogs on the bench ready to bite.”

But the Horsham junior did take time out to “fan boy” retiring NBA legends Dwayne Wade and Dirk Nowitzki.

Wade’s inspirational words, said quietly to Creek post-game, still rings in the Australian’s ears.

“He knew who I was and said something that meant a lot to me,” Creek gushed.

“I literally went back to the change rooms and sat there for like 45 minutes in my jocks, D. Wade just said that.

“I’ve played NBA 2K with him dozens of times. That will resonate with me for the rest of my life.”

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Originally published as Australian Mitch Creek opens up about NBA dream, South East Melbourne Phoenix and winning mindset