‘They’re not relying on one particular guy’: Cotton feud explodes as Lowery predicts series wipeout

Damon Lowery’s criticism of the Adelaide 36ers throughout the season has sparked an ongoing feud with six-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton.

Earlier this season, Lowery said he “didn’t think the Adelaide 36ers had enough offensive firepower” to win a championship, prompting Cotton to fire back.

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“He hasn’t done enough as a basketball player for me to respect his opinion,” Cotton told 10 News.

“I don’t usually listen to anybody – especially not him.”

Now, with Adelaide preparing to face the South East Melbourne Phoenix in a semi-final series, Lowery revisited the 36ers while appearing on The Run Home with Kymbo & Chad.

With the season series tied 2-2, Chad Cornes asked for Lowery’s prediction.

“So Sixers won the first two encounters this year and the Phoenix have won the last two. What’s your prediction for Tuesday night?” Cornes asked.

Lowery didn’t hesitate.

“Let me just correct you there, Chad. The Phoenix beat the living daylights out of them the last two times by over 20 points,” he said.

“My prediction is – and as much as I’d like to see it go the distance – I think it’s over in two games.

“I just think South East Melbourne have a style of play and they’ve got the horses that can run all day. They can get nine or 10 guys in double figures.

“They’re not relying on one particular guy. They’re going to wear you down.”

Lowery then reached for a trademark analogy.

“You know when you go to Spain and try to run with the bulls? All those tourists show up thinking, ‘Yeah, I can run with the bulls.’

“You feel good for maybe the first 100 metres – and then next thing you know, you’ve been gored.

“That’s what’s going to happen. I think Adelaide lose in two.”

Cornes pressed Lowery on his lack of belief in the 36ers and what key area is the biggest concern.

“What’s your biggest issue with Adelaide? Is it the way they defend?”

“They’re small as well. And the way they defend is very ordinary,” Lowery said.

“Even though I felt they needed more firepower, they went and got John Jenkins – another guard. The backcourt was already crowded with Bryce, Flynn Cameron, DJ Vasiljevic and Isaac White.

“Bryce is going to play 40 minutes a game, and now you add Jenkins. I feel like there’s too much, and he (Mike Wells) has a propensity to play small ball – four guards and one big.”

Lowery also questioned Adelaide’s frontcourt output.

“Zylan Cheatham is only averaging 12 points a game – he needs to bump that up significantly,” Lowery said.

“And between (Nick) Rakocevic and Isaac Humphries, those two need to give you 25.

“Isaac Humphries – I don’t know if he’s carrying an injury, not that anybody cares.– but he’s been down in form for the last month.”

With so many comments from Lowery about the 36ers and their chances, one would catch the attention of Kym Dillon in particular.

“Hey Damo, was that a little drive-by when you said the Phoenix don’t rely on one player? Was that a crack at Bryce Cotton and the 36ers?”

“Okay, maybe a little one,” Lowery replied.

Given the history between the pair, Dillon asked if the feud had cooled.

“Have you broken bread yet? Have you caught up since early in the season?”

“No. We’ve never spoken,” Lowery said.

“We don’t know each other. We know who each other are and there’s varying degrees of respect between us.

“I think Bryce is an out-and-out champion, and he thinks I’m an out-and-out clown. That’s okay.”

For Lowery, the issue remains structural.

“I just feel like Adelaide are still very Bryce-centric, and that was enough to get them second on the ladder. That’s fine in the regular season,” Lowery said.

“In the postseason, when teams can attack you in a multitude of ways in a series, it turns into a chess match.

“I feel Adelaide are going to need more than just Bryce – especially against the Phoenix.

“If it was Perth, no problem. If it was Melbourne United, no problem. But against South East Melbourne, it can’t just be Bryce.”

The series looms as one of the matchups of the season, with second and third on the ladder battling for a Grand Final berth.

Adelaide hold home-court advantage in Game 1 – and Game 3 if required – while the Phoenix will host Game 2 at John Cain Arena.

The 36ers enter fresh following the FIBA break, while the Phoenix carry momentum after a statement win over Perth.