Mitch Creek dunks on Matthew Dellavedova.Credit:Getty Images
“The reaction I had may not have been the most professional but at the same time,you take the basketball away from it,that was just an inappropriate play and something we won’t stand for as a club and me,professionally,I won’t stand for,for my team and myself. It definitely brings a bit more spice to the throwdowns.”
Creek’s teammate Izayah Le’Afa was also hit with an unsportsmanlike foul for his role in seeking retribution on Peatling.
Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell urged the NBL to investigate whether United’s acting captain David Barlow should have been ejected for leaving the bench when the fight broke out.
Mason Peatling sent Creek to the floor.Credit:Getty Images
“I’ve got a question for the reviewing panel. I see Dave Barlow approach the fracas off the bench,” he said.
“Don’t get me wrong,Dave was being a peacemaker,but I don’t think he should have been allowed to play any further part of the game because of that. Our guys kept their cool,stayed on the bench and did the right thing. I want answers to that.”
Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman insisted Barlow had not broken any rules. The NBL said on Monday the entire melee was under investigation.
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Vickerman also found himself in the spotlight in the third quarter when during a broadcasted timeout he called Phoenix guard Kyle Adnam “the f---ing shittiest little defender in the league,” demanding his team attack the guard on offence.
Vickerman later apologised but Adnam,a former United championship player,said he took the sledge “personally”.
Sources close to the two teams said Vickerman may be reprimanded for the profanity,as the NBL had last week issued a warning to coaches across the league to keep their language clean.
The NBL has seen broadcasting timeouts as a way to take viewers into the inner circle.
The league is also investigating a comment from United court announcer Wayne Peterson about Phoenix centre Zhou Qi. United have cited a separate incident involving allegations a player,or players,from the Phoenix insulted Peterson’s appearance.
“The league is carrying out a separate investigation related to those complaints,” the NBL said in a statement.
Winless United hopecaptain Chris Goulding (hamstring) returns for the blockbuster clash against the Sydney Kings on Thursday night at John Cain Arena,while the Phoenix –buoyed by the impressive form of Zhou – travel to Sydney to face the Kings on Saturday.
United’s court announcer Wayne Peterson will step away from the microphone for the club’s next two home games after admitting he made an inappropriate comment during the clash with the Phoenix.
Peterson said Phoenix star Zhou Qi “probably doesn’t understand” why the crowd was cheering about after they won free cheeseburgers due to him missing two free throws.
A club statement said Peterson unreservedly apologised to Zhou.
“Peterson acknowledges that the statement was inappropriate,” it read.“The club has full confidence that Peterson had no intention of insulting Zhou.”
The NBL is investigating the incident,and a separate incident where members of the Phoenix allegedly insulted Peterson post game.
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