Get ready to love the Perth Wildcats

Years of success made them easy to dislike, but this year's Perth Wildcats are coming for the heart of every neutral fan in Australia.

If there’s one thing every sports fan loves, it’s an underdog. For as long as the tale of David versus Goliath has existed, people have been looking for modern retellings to enjoy in real time. The head-to-head nature of sports makes it the most obvious arena, with basketball in particular always rife with upsets.

The NBL saw the power of the underdog last season, with the Tasmania JackJumpers capturing hearts nationwide in their debut season. Even as the more highly-fancied Sydney Kings swept them aside in the grand final, that series broke records as one of the most watched in the league’s history.

If fans love David, then the inverse is also true — it’s easy for them to hate Goliath. Success breeds jealousy, and the best teams can attract plenty of hate for no reason other than their winning record. For years, the Perth Wildcats have been a model of consistency in the NBL, with their record-setting 35-year finals streak resulting in ten championships. For that reason, they haven’t been a particularly beloved team among neutral fans.

Haters of the Red Army better brace themselves, because everything could be about to change. The departure of championship-winning coach Trevor Gleeson signaled a changing of the guard at the club, and the finals streak finally ended last season. That could open the door for a new-look Wildcats roster to swoop in and steal hearts, and their new signings look ready to make that happen while returning the club to the winner’s list.

The NBL @NBL

🟥 Putting the 𝐑𝐄𝐃 in 𝐑𝐄A𝐃Y 🟥 New @PerthWildcats trio, Corey Webster, TaShawn Thomas, and Brady Manek, got their paws on their new red threads today 😼 #NBL23

In cult hero Brady Manek and highlight machine TaShawn Thomas, the Wildcats have added two players who will be instant fan favourites. Both should help to bring out the best in two-time MVP Bryce Cotton, who is already one of the NBL’s most exciting players to watch. Throw in a new coach in former NBL star John Rillie, and there could be plenty to love about Perth heading into the new season.