07/10/2008 5:29 PM
Melbourne Tigers coach Al Westover has issued a warning to the rest of the competition, indicating his side still has plenty of improvement left in them.
Having won three of their four games so far this season, the Tigers currently sit in second place on the NBL ladder, trailing early pace setters New Zealand by one game.
But with so many new players in the Tigers line-up - stars Ebi Ere, Sam Mackinnon and Rod Grizzard joined the team in the off-season - Westover said his side was yet to find its groove and probably won't until later in the season.
"Offensively our execution will only get better as we go along," he said.
"We have been doing some good things, but a lot of it has been individual brilliance or our defence has created some good things for us."
"Right now we are probably running about half the things that we will be able to do. We are still getting to know each other and to know our stuff."
Fresh from an outstanding 24-point drubbing of the Taipans on Friday night, the Tigers are back in Melbourne and ready for two home games in the next four days.
Westover's side faces the Wildcats at home on Wednesday night, before backing up on Saturday to tackle the 36ers prior to the eagerly awaited local derby against the Dragons on October 18.
Despite the fact that the Tigers have two games in quick succession this week, Westover said he won't be doing anything differently against the Wildcats.
"I haven't even thought about Saturday yet and we won't until after the game on Wednesday," Westover said.
"We are in good nick. Touch wood. Physically everyone is well, healthy and looking forward to the game."
And while the Tigers are confident of victory against the Wildcats, they certainly won't be taking anything for granted.
"Perth is a tough team, I picked them to be in the top four this year," Westover said.
"They have got a lot of size, a lot of talent, they play hard and they play physical."
"We have to match their physicality, be tough around the basket and be good on the boards. I am sure they will try and pressure us as like a lot of teams are trying to do so we have got to be able to take care of the ball and execute our stuff."
"If we can do all that I am pretty confident we can get the win."