The Sydney Kings insist they’re not worried about the prospect of a challenging grand final rematch against the JackJumpers on Sunday afternoon, but admit the fifth-placed Tasmanians are in a much stronger position than when they played in last year’s grand final.
Kings coach Chase Buford says his ladder-leading side has a healthy respect for the second-year club, having witnessed their dramatic rise last season and progress as a team since.
Derrick Walton Jr drives to the hoops for the Kings.Credit:Getty
“Tasmania, it’s hard to say, have probably got better since reaching the grand final last year,” Bulford told the Herald. “I really believe that. They’ve recruited well [and] they’ve got a whole group of top talent.
“We have so much respect for that group and how they play and have pushed us in every game we’ve played.”
The Kings are coming off a top-of-the-table clash on Thursday against the New Zealand Breakers, whose physical and feisty defence left Buford complaining that “it felt like we were playing the All Blacks”. Reflecting on the incident, Buford said: “I’m probably not as totally disgusted and disappointed as I felt about it right in the middle of that.”
The Kings held on for an 88-81 victory, thanks in part to a stunning shot by guard Derrick Walton jnr that solidified their lead inside the last 80 seconds of the game.
It followed a remarkable dunk from Xavier Cooks over Melbourne United’s Isaac Humphries earlier in the season that grabbed wider acclaim.
“I had people from the NBA messaging saying he deserves to be playing in the NBA,” Buford said of his star forward, who has averaged 17 points a game this season. “So, hopefully, we can help and try to get the best out of [NBA-worthy players]. There’s a lot of quality players in this league and that means a quality competition.”
But the JackJumpers aren’t concerned about going up against the team that ended their dreams of a debut-season championship.
“We have not discussed it one time,” coach Scott Roth said. “To be honest, we’re not overly excited one way or another. We spend a great deal of time trying to concentrate on ourselves, as opposed to other teams.
“Of course, you want to win a championship and do all those things, but there’s a bigger picture for us here in Tasmania of growing the game in the state.”
Sunday’s game will be part of the NBL’s Indigenous Round, stretching from rounds 10-12, which will see players wear jerseys designed by Aboriginal artists and hold welcome to country ceremonies.
Sydney Kings v Tasmania JackJumpers, Qudos Bank Arena, Sunday 4pm.
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