Perth coach Trevor Gleeson has emphatically ruled a line through pulling the trigger on signing a third import following the Wildcats' comprehensive 97-84 NBL loss to the Adelaide 36ers.
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No.1 import Bryce Cotton, the NBL's leading scorer, was tagged all over the court by the Sixers' rotation of guards and held to a season-low 10 points on Thursday night, while fellow American Terrico White impressed with a game-high 24 points.
The loss, which was the out-of-form Wildcats' seventh from their past eight matches, hasn't changed Gleeson's mind on signing a third American to help Cotton and White.
"No, we've already discussed that," was Gleeson's short response.
With personnel changes seemingly off the agenda, improvement from within will be a must with Perth in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in 32 years.
Gleeson wants the Wildcats to go back to rebounding and defending like they did when they started the season with a 10-1 win-loss record, which now reads 12-9.
"Defence is rebounding the ball," he said.
"You can't give the opposition 19 chances (offensive rebounds) for another shot. That's what hurt us.
"You're not going to win in this league having 97 points up against you. We usually hold teams to the 70s and 80s."
Perth captain Damian Martin said the playing group will struggle to sleep after what they produced against Adelaide and deserve to cop the heat.
"It's on the players to be honest," he said.
"There's only so much the coaching staff can do.
"I don't think many of the players are going to sleep well tonight but they'll be excited about Sunday (against Melbourne United) to try to redeem themselves."
Australian Associated Press
