NBL 2023: Nick Kyrgios calls out NBL legend Andrew Gaze for lack of ‘objectivity’ in SE Melbourne commentary
Nick Kyrgios has called out what he sees as a lack of objectivity in hoops legend Andrew Gaze’s commentary of the Phoenix following their Christmas Day miracle win over the JackJumpers.
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Andrew Gaze has hit back at Nick Kyrgios after the tennis firebrand claimed Australia’s most-beloved male hooper “hated on” his NBL club South East Melbourne.
And injured superstar Mitch Creek has taken aim at the team’s doubters in an Instagram story where he labelled the depleted Phoenix’s Christmas Day miracle 85-77 victory over Tasmania a “f***ing gutsy win.”
Kyrgios, a part-owner of the Phoenix, took to Twitter following the Christmas Day miracle win over Tasmania, claiming Gaze, in his role as a commentator, had a negative bias toward his club.
“Since day 1 @AndrewGaze10 hated on @SEMelbPhoenix … have never heard you say anything positive about the club. I know @MelbUnited hangs your jersey during its games, but come on, bro … I know you were a great player, but some objectivity as a broadcaster would be appreciated,” Kyrgios, who has not played since mid-January and pulled out of all four majors due to injury, wrote.
Since day 1 @AndrewGaze10 hated on @SEMelbPhoenix...have never heard you say anything positive about the club. I know @MelbUnited hangs your jersey during its games, but come on, bro...I know you were a great player, but some objectivity as a broadcaster would be appreciated….
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) December 25, 2023
But Gaze, a Boomers and Melbourne Tigers NBL legend who is seen as the country’s greatest male player, said he was “surprised” by Kyrgios’ comments but was comfortable in his assessment of the 9-9 expansion club, which has only finished in the top four once in four seasons.
“I’m unsure of specifically what I said today that upset Nick (but) I’m comfortable that I, along with (fellow commentators) Jack (Heverin) and Liam (Santamaria), provided a balanced opinion of the good and not so good for both teams,” Gaze told Code Sports.
“Fortunately there have been many connected with the Phoenix who do not support or agree with Nick’s assessment of my commentary.”
Phoenix majority owner Romie Chaudhari is not among them, backing Kyrgios with the reply: “Facts … Couldn’t have said it any better!”
Facts.... Couldn't have said it any better! ðŸ€
— Romie Chaudhari (@RRome44) December 25, 2023
Typically classy Gaze applauded Kyrgios, who recently started an Only Fans account and stated he no longer wanted to play tennis, for his support and passion for the NBL.
The 58-year-old had a grounded perspective on the tough job play-by-play callers – something Kyrgios has dabbled in – faced.
“It’s disappointing when someone does not enjoy your commentary but I’ve come to appreciate that it’s difficult to please everyone all the time and I’m confident he will come to reach the same conclusion as he gains further experience with his tennis commentating career,” Gaze said.
“I understand the sensitivity fans will sometimes have when commentators critique their team’s performance.
“I take pride in my commentary role and always try to provide the highest level of integrity.
“Clearly, Nick is unaware of my admiration and support for the Phoenix and in particular (stars) Mitch (Creek) and Al (Alan Williams), (coach) Mike Kelly and (chief executive) Tommy Greer.
“He also must not be aware of the history of the Melbourne Tigers.”
The relationship between United and the Tigers has always been an uneasy one, given there remains an angst among fans and many connected with the historic club who still hold grievances over the 2012 sale and 2014 rebrand.
The Phoenix, off the back of three straight losses by a combined total of 75 points, faced Tasmania without Creek, backup centre Gorjok Gak and long-term injured forward Craig Moller.
Star centre Alan Williams then found himself in all-too-familiar foul trouble with four before halftime.
But the Phoenix would not be denied, riding Puerto Rican guard Gary Browne’s double-double to its best win of the season.
Few gave the Phoenix any hope of beating the JackJumpers and, following the win, Creek, who did not travel to Hobart with the team as he recovers from a knee injury, took to his Insta with his own message for the club’s doubters.
“The amount of s*** from all the commentators all the media heads, every single person under the comment section, everyone’s s***ing on all the players. That is a f***ing gutsy win,” Creek said in the video.
“Tasmania are an incredible team … to do that on the road, minus all the great players that we have at the moment, is so incredible.
“It’s not even a Christmas miracle. It’s just the absolute base of what we can achieve.
“(It’s) a proud moment to be a part of the South East Melbourne Phoenix team.”
Originally published as NBL 2023: Nick Kyrgios calls out NBL legend Andrew Gaze for lack of ‘objectivity’ in SE Melbourne commentary
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