Mayen was ‘unbelievable’ on defensive mission

Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells has praised the defensive approach of Lat Mayen after Saturday night’s 100-81 win against Melbourne United at the Entertainment Centre.

Mayen was given the assignment of limiting United’s star scoring threat Chris Goulding and Wells was thrilled with his swingman’s efforts.

“It all started at the defensive end, and it started with this guy (Mayen),” Wells said post-match.

“His energy and his attention to detail on a really tough cover, you know he (Goulding) is going to score.”

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Mayen said his battle with Goulding was helped by his teammates, with everyone ‘locking in’ on the defensive end.

“It was awesome, he is a great shooter, he still shot 50 per cent from the three, so it’s a tough coverage,” Mayen said.

“Everyone else was taking care of what else was happening, there was a lot of back door (cuts).

“We got a lot of steals early in the game, and we could get out and run.”

Wells said the 2021 Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist is not only one of the elite shooters in the NBL, but around the globe.

“He is one of the elite shooters in the world, I don’t think just in the NBL, in the world,” Wells said.

“He has a special, special skill and we have a ton of respect for Chris and what he does.

“I thought Lat’s approach could not have been more professional.

“He was eager for the match-up, and you take it possession by possession.”

Mayen said his side has a renewed focus at the defensive end moving forward.

“We are more locked in with attention to detail, buying in a little bit more,” Mayen said.

“Respecting each other and listening to each other’s commands.

“We are being a little bit more together.”

Wells said defence was the reason his side won in front of a record home crowd of 9588 at the Entertainment Centre.

“Our defensive energy and our attention to detail hasn’t been there at times (this season),”  Wells said,

“We just haven’t seen it consistently, they shot 3/18 on contested threes, and 14/45 on contested shots, it’s a simple thing and it all started with Lat.

“Lat was unbelievable, on trying to send someone to the hoop, then it goes to the ball pressure, then to the level of the bigs, everybody was on the same page,

“Defence is got to be the way you do it. That’s how you create offense and we got off to a good start.”

Adelaide will be back in action on Friday night when the 36ers travel to Hobart to play Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena from 7pm ACDT.