If nothing else I have to give Homicide credit for coming up with the nicknames Tai "Grown Man" Wesley and Money Making Mitch McCarron they always put a smile on my face anytime I hear him say them.

Great signing for the Phoenix even as an import probably helps prepare them for the possibility of Creek staying in the US next season.

Very nice addition. (and big loss for NZ)

I was wondering who was going to be the first Day One (AKA "We waited until we could talk to him, honestly") signing... Really good pick up from the Phoenix, and definitely worth the import spot...

Now this is an actual "grown man" signing. Good job Phoenix.

Interesting if there are lots of import signings early, usually teams wait for summer league and sift through the best of the rest. Good sign in one was as clubs will try to retain imports that are already a good fit, downside a team might miss out on other available top tier players.

Dude has zero loyalty

Doesn't need to be loyal.

Proven low post scorer in a league crying out for guys who can attract attention in the post.

The question will be will he come back in "in shape". Needs to be averaging 12-15 pp game to justify the signing.

I didn't realise until I read this press release that he was 32, will be 33 by the start of the season. Last few years definitely showed he still has it but I would expect a decline similar to Redhage's last few years, who retired at 36 I think?

Apart form his skills he provides so much more especially for a new team. Experience, leadership, knowing the NBL system, finals success, can score, defend, rebound and pass. They just need to have the right parts around him. Seemed to do better next to a guy like Boone, rather than a ball dominant C in Long.

Depending on $$$ I think it's a good move for the Phoenix. Tai is a known quantity who is of an import standard anyway. Yeah he's no spring chicken, but I don't think he's going to have a huge drop off considering his style of play. Pretty sure he'd be an NBL-level scorer through to 40.

The local talent is going to be key for the Phoenix though. Madgen was a good get, but it will be interesting to see who they pad the rotation out with - particularly if Creek hangs around in the US.

3 years is too long for a 32 year old, especially when Year 3 is a player option.

Dont creek and wesley play the same position?

You'd be able to start Creek at the 3, surely? (If he actually makes it to them next season) Say you get:

Ware^ | Madgen | Creek | Wesley^ | Import 5

even if you get a meat and potatoes import 5, that's a pretty impressive starting 5...

And if they've allocated solid money to Creek and he plays here, you just forgo an import or get a cheap returning import instead. Money not an issue yet. Better to make a splash and try to attract filler talent.

Creek played SF in Adelaide, Tai plays PF. Don't think I've ever seen Creek play PF.

Mmm, ok, I forgot he was still an import. Surely they're working on some dodgy shit to get him naturalised.
Surely by now he's ****** enough sheep to qualify for NZ Sutuzenshup?

If he's gets naturalise, great signing, epic coup.

If not, he'll sill be good for those two years, and you have to consider that some teams are signing lesser 3rd imports, or not at all.

If he got NZ Citizenship, could he play for them as their naturalised player?
Or is that ruled out because he's represented Guam?

I thought it'd be easier for him to naturalise in Australia than NZ, given by 2020 he'd have played three of his last four years in Australia.

Lisch also has an Australian wife and kids.

Not sure about their daughter, but I know their son was born in NZ.
His wife is American.

Does it matter where their kids were born? The kids have zero claim to citizenship in either country, at least for the next decade.