Wells says open roof a ‘great concept’

After almost three decades coaching in the NBA and at the international level, Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells has never been involved in a game with an open roof.

Wells will lead the 36ers for his first match with the roof open on Saturday night when Adelaide travel to John Cain Arena to battle South East Melbourne Phoenix.

“It’s a cool concept, I’m really looking forward to being involved,” Wells said.

“In all my time in basketball I haven’t come across this.”

Since Adelaide defeated South East Melbourne 93-83 on October 3 this season, the Phoenix have a new head coach in Josh King, but Wells said his side can still take some learnings away from that contest.

“There are some tendencies and habits that we can take out of the first game,” Wells said.

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“They are doing a lot of different things too and that team has grown and changed as well. They have their strengths and weaknesses and the new coach coming in has done some different things.

“We are going to get their best, they are playing the best they have all season so far in this last stretch, and it’s on their home floor as well.”

Adelaide will be back at John Cain Arena for the first time since the on-court incident against Melbourne United and Wells said returning to the venue has no issue with the team.

“We are playing a different team, the court will be the same, but the colours are different, it’s green instead of blue,” Wells said.

“Establishing our strengths and our game plan and taking care of what we need to do as a team is a priority for us.

“We understand the challenge is there of playing on the road and hopefully we have grown as we try to get this group back together.”

Adelaide will be back in action this Saturday night when the 36ers travel to John Cain Arena to battle South East Melbourne Phoenix from 7.30pm ACDT, catch all the action live and exclusive on ESPN via Kayo Sports.