Boom or bust: Did JR's absence kill 'Cats title chase

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The Perth Wildcats were considered a dark horse for the NBL title going into the play-in series but now they're on the brink of elimination.

And after, quite literally, letting their opportunity to secure a semi-finals appearance slip against the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the seeding qualifier with 17 turnovers - you've got to wonder, did the Wildcats get their preparation right?

Perth had won five out of their last six games heading into the post-season and with Kristian Doolittle in career-best form, the Wildcats had a truck-full of momentum before the FIBA break. While the stoppage for international basketball is a significant hurdle for most teams headed for the playoffs to deal with, it seems it's hurt the Red Army more than anyone else.

John Rillie's team looked unprepared and not ready for the moment against the Phoenix, well all apart from Doolittle and Jesse Wagstaff (add a little bit of David Duke Jr in there). Struggling to get the ball over halfway for a lot of the contest, the Wildcats seemed shocked at their opponent's style of play - which you shouldn't be considering that's what Josh King's team is known for.

You could say, out of any team in the playoffs, preparing for South East Melbourne could be the team you need to have the perfect preparation for.

So was having only a few days with your head coach present ideal for a clash against the suffocating pressure the likes of John Brown III, Owen Foxwell, Ian Clark, Wes Iwundu and the rest bring? Was it ideal to get your tilt at the NBL title started?

The answer is no.

Now, no one would knock Rillie for taking the opportunity to coach the Australian Boomers against Guam and the Philippines. As a coach myself, it's probably not something I would pass up. But was this particular FIBA window more suited for an assistant coach or a coach not preparing for a play-in game with such importance?

Phoenix deputy Luke Brennan, United assistant David Barlow and Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence head coach Robbie McKinlay were on Rillie's staff for the Boomers - are any of those not in a position to head coach the side?

A former NBL player told basketball.com.au today how difficult the absence of their head coach may have made preparation for the Wildcats.

"I think the timing probably cut it a little too close to the games," the player said.

"It’s a tough one because you want the opportunity to represent Australia at any level but given the circumstances and the stage of the season Perth are in I think it would’ve been wiser to not be involved

"But again if Perth win yesterday this is a non issue. But the style of SEM and the way Perth lost probably highlights they could’ve used a few extra days of practice to prepare."

I'm also sure players such as Ben Henshall could've used more preparation with their head coach, who is arguably one of the best guards to have played in the NBL, before clashing with the Phoenix as South East Melbourne targeted the 21-year-old almost every single possession on both ends of the floor.

And given Perth's lack of a true point guard, which many NBL pundits pointed out would be an issue, the Wildcats' preparation time could have been better utilised.

Rillie even mentioned how the Phoenix executed their style of play perfectly in the post-game press conference.

"When when you play them, and like they executed their game plan beautifully tonight, the players did a hell of a job, I thought Josh King was the MVP of the game," he said.

"But what I would say is we probably tried to dribble too much against the pressure instead of using the pass and then how we could play off of that action. Idon't know what did we end up with 16 or 17 turnovers and they were in single figures. Then (at) halftime we had zero offensive rebounds, they had like 18 more shot attempts.

"So, it just mounts up and the pressure to execute at a high level (but) the reason we play the regular season is we give ourself another opportunity so we'll flush that and move on."

While Perth still have all the talent to give the title a shake, and they are a completely different side at RAC Arena as expert and commentator Derek Rucker pointed out after the loss to the Phoenix, everything would need to go their way to be a shot at adding another trophy to a stacked cabinet at Wildcats HQ.

Especially given they will face wither Melbourne United, who are capable of similar defensive pressure to the Phoenix, or Tasmania, where no one will write off a Scott Roth coached team no matter how many injuries they have.

Then a match-up with the red-hot Sydney Kings awaits.

In no way shape or form is this taking a shot at Rillie taking on the lead job at the Boomers, it's every player and coach's dream to represent their country, and on top of it I tipped the Wildcats to win the title before season tip-off.

I just can't help but think an opportunity has been missed to give themselves a shot at the Adelaide 36ers in the semi-finals, who despite boasting six-time MVP Bryce Cotton have been inconsistent to end the regular season, and the best shot at contending.