Perth Wildcats forward Galen Young isn't interested in Corey Williams' veiled threats and has labelled him nothing but a 'slap on the wrist' ahead of Sunday's top-of-the-table clash.
With Gold Coast losing to the New Zealand Breakers on Thursday, Sunday's Perth-Townsville clash to close the NBL regular season will determine top spot on the ladder with both teams currently holding 16-11 records.
The rivalry between both teams is fierce and Williams ensured Sunday's game would have plenty of spice saying that he will drop his former team-mate Young if the trash-talking gets out of hand.
The pair spent a season playing together in Townsville back in 2007/08 and get along tremendously well off the court, but it's all about business with home court in the finals and a potential championship on the line now.
Young wasn't about to shy away from Williams' comments, with the Memphis born and raised star labelling the New Yorker known as 'Homicide' as nothing but a misdemeanour.
"I know Corey personally and I know that he has the nickname 'Homicide' but he's not that. He's a misdemeanour, a slap on the wrist really. It should be Corey 'Slap on the Wrist' Williams," Young said.
"I tease him about it and there is a guy called 'sick with it' and one that's 'I'll be right back' and I used to say that they gave him the name 'Homicide' instead of 'dead man walking' because of how they used to kill him in the playground."
"He gets that name from playing street ball in New York and everyone there has a nickname. 'Homicide' just happened to be his, but he is only a slap on the wrist, nothing like a homicide."
Williams made his comments post-match after Townsville beat Adelaide at The Swamp on Wednesday night to join the Wildcats on a 16-11 record and Young knows he will find the going much tougher in Perth on Sunday.
"I'm looking forward to it. He gave his little dramatic speech after the game when they got their win up against a depleted Adelaide team who has lost five in a row. They were supposed to beat those guys, but coming into The Jungle it's going to be a dog fight," he said.
"It's between us and them to finish the regular season on top of the ladder and I want it just as bad as they do. I feel that I have just as much in my tank to go get it as well."
The pair know each other well, but with Young earning a reputation as one of the most physical, toughest and best post defenders in the league since joining Perth mid-season after stints in the Philippines and back in the United States since leaving Townsville.
He is ready for Williams if he comes into the paint and won't shy away from some physical contact, which he claims the Crocs point guard, who is the leading contender for the league's MVP award, will want nothing of.
"I've known him for years and he doesn't like the physical contact. Sure enough he will mix it up with people his size or smaller, but when he runs across bigger guys he tends to shy away," he said.
"I'm not going to look for him where it takes away from the rest of the team, but if it happens to present itself then by all means I will."