NBL22: South East Melbourne Phoenix MVP Mitch Creek backs out-of-contract coach Simon Mitchell

As South East Melbourne works to re-sign Mitch Creek and coach Simon Mitchell, the club’s MVP has backed his coach in with a strong message of support.

Mitch Creek has backed out-of-contract coach Simon Mitchell. Picture: Getty Images

Newly-crowned South East Melbourne MVP Mitch Creek has added a caveat to his commitment to the Phoenix — ‘keep my coach’.

Creek, fresh off celebrating his 30th birthday with family, has publicly and privately guaranteed, if he plays in the NBL next season, it will be at South East Melbourne.

In a huge vote of confidence in out-of-contract coach Simon Mitchell, Creek hasn’t quite issued an ultimatum, but he has told the Phoenix he wants to play under the 49-year-old.

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Mitch Creek has backed out-of-contract coach Simon Mitchell. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ve expressed to the club that I’ll be staying if Simon stays,” Creek said.

“I’ve said if you move him on, basically I have the ability to move on as well, from re-signing.

“We communicate openly, we discuss ourselves, our families, teammates, staff, we’re very honest with each other.

“I like what he’s doing. He’s not perfect, but no coach is.

“I have full belief that he can do what’s necessary for us to be successful.”

Mitchell has acknowledged the sport is a “performance-based industry” and, after the Phoenix were on top of the NBL at 11-5, a disastrous finish to the season cost them a spot in the top four. It was a step back after they were one win away from a grand-final berth in 2020-21 and opened Mitchell up to questions about his future. But Creek said the side was hampered by Covid, illness and an injury to star Ryan Broekhoff. He believed the players had to take responsibility for a failure to “do the little things” on the back end of the season.

Creek, Mitchell and Kyle Adnam have led the expansion club since its inception. Picture: AAP

Phoenix chief executive Tommy Greer said the club was keen to re-sign both men.

“Negotiations are ongoing with both Mitch and Simon and the club hopes to bring them both back next season,” Greer said.

The Phoenix tumble opened the door for fellow expansion club Tasmania to pull off its NBL grand final miracle, which Creek said was “pretty special” to watch.

The Phoenix had a big say in the fairytale, knocking off the Wildcats in Perth in the last game of the season to ensure the JackJumpers snuck in to the last finals spot.

“It’s good for the league, it’s good for basketball,” he said.

“As much as people didn’t think they were going to be great, they had themselves together in a huddle down in Tassie and separated themselves a little bit and said it’s us v the rest and stuff them all.

“I think they’re going to have a hell of a task ahead of them against Sydney but I reckon they’ve got some dogs over there who can really go out and shake it up.”

Creek had feisty battles with JackJumpers star Jack McVeigh. Picture: Getty Images

Creek said he was in talks with “a few” overseas teams but expects to get a deal done with the Phoenix.

“We’ve kept it pretty quiet, who we’re talking to, but there’s some good momentum there,” he said.

“At the same time, I’ve got a really good thing here in Melbourne, I’m more than happy to dig my feet in a bit longer and see what happens.”

He says there is still a will to play in the NBA again — Creek made five appearances with Brooklyn and Minnesota in 2018-19 — but he is comfortable with the reality of his situation.

“We’ve spoken to some NBA GMs,” he said.

“I’d love it to happen but, if it doesn’t, I’ve worked my butt off. I’ve played a few games over there, been able to live a great life and I’ve had some success in my basketball

“I gave it a red-hot crack. My game hasn’t changed a whole lot over the past couple of years. Some things have improved, yes, but, at the same time, I haven’t turned into Kevin Durant.

“I’m Mitch Creek.”

Creek, on receiving the club’s MVP award for the second time, said he doesn’t play for individual accolades, but he respects their importance.

“To have received a few of these now is really humbling,” he said.

“It’s about the friendships, the bonds, the fans, the trials and tribulations — the memories that come with them you can look back at and appreciate.

“Dad’s got all my awards and every jersey I’ve ever played in signed and framed and hung up in his home in Horsham. I’m sure he’ll be asking when that one’s going to be delivered.”