Can the late arrival of Miles Plumlee continue the Perth Wildcats iron grip over the NBL and repeat for back to back titles? 

Miles Plumlee signed a one year deal with the Perth Wildcats this week, the 2010 NCAA champion and 347 NBA game veteran replacing forward Dario Hunt on the 8th of January.

The Duke University graduate carved out a six year NBA career after college, mostly as a backup or third-string center.

Plumlee had his most successful season during his time as the starting center with the 48-win Phoenix Suns. That season he started 79 of the 80 games and averaged 8.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. 

The 6’11” Plumlee will deliver an added defensive presence around the rim, which are two key factors Perth have lacked in recent games. Perth have lost thier last two games, particularly inside the paint. The Wildcats have lost thier last two games, losses which included the Adelaide 36ers scoring 50 points in the paint and then small ball Bullets scoring 46 points in the paint which forced the Wildcats hand in releasing Hunt this week.

Plumlee will be a sizeable piece to bolster the big’s rotation for Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson additionally in Perth’s eyes as someone to ward off the likes of Andrew Bogut, Shawn Long and Cam Oliver. The three centers protecting the paint for the teams most likely to make the final four with Perth. Melbourne United, Sydney Kings and Cairns Taipans respectively.

These three big men have made mincemeat of the Wildcats frontline so far. All three big men have played three games against the reigning champs with Bogut averaging 9.6 points, 9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, Oliver averaging 16.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2 blocks per game and Long who’s averaging 19 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in games against the Wildcats.

Plumlee’s debut tonight against the Illawarra Hawks was limited but showed signs of great promise. In 16 minutes of playing time Plumlee had 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks.

The Wildcats have rushed Plumlee into the lineup as he is required to play seven games in order to qualify for the playoffs. After having only one training session with the team it clearly showed he has a lot more to learn.

There were moments where he looked like a lost child searching for their  parent at the supermarket, trying to remember plays and setting the right screens as the ball whizzed around the 3-point line but this will be rectified in the coming rounds.

Plumlee struggled initially to adjust to the NBL refereeing notching up two fouls in the games first three minutes.

There were spots where Plumlee was able to show what value he will bring to the Wildcats. He connected with Perth’s leading scorer Bryce Cotton on multiple pick and rolls which yielded a handful of points, which made it difficult for the Hawks to move the ball across the court with his seven-foot wingspan, which included two nasty blocks on both Sunday Dech and Blanchfield.

We'd walk 1000 Miles to see more of these Plumlee blocks! 🛑 pic.twitter.com/3bTfMmI9zb

— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) January 10, 2020

Miles Plumlee says N⛔️. pic.twitter.com/av7ksB1UB5

— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) January 10, 2020

Gleeson said after the game

“He doesn’t know any of our plays, he doesn’t know our defence… hopefully he knows some of the guys names.”

Plumlee is quite possibly the best credentialled import centre we’ve had in our league and his mere presence in Perth should make things harder for Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns to wrestle the NBL trophy away from WA.

Perth will match up next against Shawn Long and the Melbourne United on the 29th of January in Melbourne.