Blitz preview: 'One of the most hotly contested seasons in history'

By Matt McQuade

Any basketball player will tell you that nothing beats actual game time.

There’s no question that preseason training is incredibly important. It gives you the opportunity to mesh with new teammates, develop chemistry, understand roles, learn about new offensive and defensive systems, and set standards on and off the court.

You go as hard as you can at practice against the guys who’ll wear the same colors you do into battle every week. It’s competitive and hard fought.

But going up against other teams in proper game situations is what it’s all about. That’s what really gets the juices flowing in the preseason and helps you get a sense of where you are as a ballclub with the regular season fast approaching.

So it goes for the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings this weekend as they head to Melbourne for the opening three games of the National Basketball League Blitz – their first games against NBL competition since the end of the NBL21 regular season.

The purple and gold will take on NBL21 semi-finalists South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday night, followed by a battle with defending champions Melbourne United on Monday, before closing out their Victorian sojourn against the New Zealand Breakers next Thursday.

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Three games in six games will give Head Coach Chase Buford and his talented but youthful squad quality preparation heading into what many good judges believe is going to be one of the most hotly contested seasons in NBL history.

Count guard Shaun Bruce as one King looking forward to the challenge this week.

It’s exciting, and I think everyone is chomping at the bit,” Shaun said.

“Especially having a young team – I think a lot of guys will be experiencing the NBL for the first time this weekend so a lot of guys are eager to play and it’s exciting for them.”

“The vibe at training has been really good, the energy has been high through the group, and Chase has done a great job bringing that energy.”

“That’s the beauty about having a lot of young guys – you can practice hard and there’s an excitement to be there and get better.”

There has been significant change for the Kings in the offseason with the departure of some familiar names and the addition of six new faces.

Names like Jaylen Adams, R.J. Hunter, Matur Maker, Makur Maker and Biwali Bayles will all be must-see viewing for Kings’ fans this season.

And there’s one guy in particular who has stood out to Shaun, who now finds himself as the longest tenured Sydney King on the current roster.

“Jaylen Adams has been great from a basketball standpoint,” Shaun said.

“He’s really a high-level player that I think is going to be exciting.

“But I think all our young guys have been incredible too. They’ve come in and they are really mature beyond their years – both the Maker boys have been great and I think Biwali, Jaylen (Galloway) and Wani (Swaka Lo Buluk) have brought a level of professionalism that’s been great.”

Of course, maybe the biggest new face on the club is one Chase Buford, who represents the Kings’ fourth head coach in the past four seasons. Constant change in that role can be difficult to deal with, but as far as Shaun is concerned, it’s been smooth sailing to date.

“He’s been great, and he’s definitely a players’ coach,” Shaun said of Chase.

“He’s going to give guys a lot of confidence to just go out there and play, which is when I’m at my best, but I think a lot of guys are going to have great seasons because of that.”

“He’s brought a lot of energy, and to have a full preseason with Chase and to understand how he wants to play – I think guys are going to be a lot more settled now than we were last year.”

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Sydney’s first three opponents in the Blitz are all examples of that NBL truism – you don’t bring your A game, or don’t show up with the requisite effort, don’t expect any success. There’s just too much talent around – more perhaps this season than any before.

It’s yet another reason why these games are so important – as an early measuring stick to understand exactly where the ballclub is at before the real stuff begins.

“The beauty of the NBL is that everyone believes they are a legitimate chance to win a title,” Shaun affirms.

“It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. Every team has talent, and everyone’s expectation is to win.”

“Starting out with the two Melbourne teams and New Zealand is going to be a lot of fun. Both Melbourne teams are highly touted and have a lot of experience so they are going to be great tests, and the Breakers have some really high-level guys, are well-coached and have a great system.”

“All three games are going to be challenges for us.”

 

NBL BLITZ GAME ONE

WHO: Sydney Kings vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix

WHEN: Saturday 13 November, 7:30pm tipoff

LOCATION: Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre

TV: Available on Kayo Freebies HERE

THE PLAYERS

KINGS: Jaylen Adams (import); R.J. Hunter (import); Xavier Cooks; Jarell Martin (import); Jordan Hunter, Shaun Bruce; Matur Maker; Makur Maker (Next Star); Angus Glover; Tom Vodanovich; Biwali Bayles; Jaylin Galloway (development player); Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.

PHOENIX: Xavier Mumford (import); Cameron Gliddon; Ryan Broekhoff; Mitch Creek; Zhou Qi (special restricted player), Dane Pineau; Kyle Adnam; Kendall Stephens; Tohi Smith-Milner; Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa; Tristan Forsyth (development player)

THE COACHES

KINGS

Chase Buford, 1^st season with Sydney

PHOENIX

Simon Mitchell, 3^rd season with South East Melbourne

KEY MATCHUP

Xavier Cooks vs Mitch Creek

If there’s one returnee on the Sydney roster that fans should be excited about it has to be Xavier Cooks, given that he’s really only scratched the surface of what he’s capable of thanks to some unfortunate injuries over the past couple of years. Now fully healthy now and showcasing improvements to his versatile game, X will be a huge key for the Sydney Kings this season. The long, athletic and super-mobile forward has the potential to be a two-way terror in this league, and this will be a great test for him first-up against a relentless competitor in Mitch Creek, a guy who doesn’t know any other way to play other than maximum speed all the time; can shoot the three, rebound, defend and distribute the ball.

THE QUESTIONS

How will the Kings deal with the size of Phoenix centre Zhou Qi?

Will Coach Buford look to unleash his potent transition game early and often?

NBL BLITZ GAME TWO

WHO: Sydney Kings vs. Melbourne United

WHEN: Monday 15 November, 7:30pm tipoff

LOCATION: Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre

TV: Available on Kayo Freebies HERE

THE PLAYERS

KINGS: Jaylen Adams (import); R.J. Hunter (import); Xavier Cooks; Jarell Martin (import); Jordan Hunter, Shaun Bruce; Matur Maker; Makur Maker (Next Star); Angus Glover; Tom Vodanovich; Biwali Bayles; Jaylin Galloway (development player); Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.

UNITED: Matthew Dellavedova; Chris Goulding; Caleb Agada (import); Mason Peatling; Jo Lual-Acuil, Shae Ili; David Barlow; Ariel Hukporti (Next Star); Brad Newley; Dion Prewster; Callum Dalton; David Okwera (development player); Zac Triplett (development player); Will Hickey (development player).

THE COACHES

KINGS

Chase Buford, 1^st season with Sydney

UNITED

Dean Vickerman, 5^th season with Melbourne

KEY MATCHUP

Jaylen Adams vs. Matthew Dellavedova

Talk about your early mouth-watering matchups. On the one hand, you’ve got Sydney’s new point guard Jaylen Adams, a young man with NBA ability who can score the ball from anywhere on the court, plays with aggression and smarts, passes the ball extremely well and gets up and in defensively. On the other, you’ve got Matthew Dellavedova, an Olympic medallist and NBA champion who returns home after a great career in the Association and is determined to show he has lost none of his drive or skills that have made him such a beloved figure in Australian basketball. Forget preseason – these two will go at each other with a ton of intensity and it is a compelling duel.

THE QUESTIONS

Can the Kings limit Chris Goulding’s effectiveness?

Will Sydney’s phalanx of bigs overwhelm the United frontcourt? 

NBL BLITZ GAME THREE

WHO: Sydney Kings vs. New Zealand Breakers

WHEN: Thursday 18 November, 7:30pm tipoff

LOCATION: Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre

TV: Available on Kayo Freebies HERE

THE PLAYERS

KINGS: Jaylen Adams (import); R.J. Hunter (import); Xavier Cooks; Jarell Martin (import); Jordan Hunter, Shaun Bruce; Matur Maker; Makur Maker (Next Star); Angus Glover; Tom Vodanovich; Biwali Bayles; Jaylin Galloway (development player); Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.

BREAKERS: Peyton Siva (import); Jeremiah Martin (import); Ousmane Dieng (Next Star); Finn Delany; Yanni Wetzell, Hugo Besson (import); Thomas Abercrombie; Will McDowell-White; Rob Loe; Rasmus Bach; Kyrin Galloway; Isaac Davidson; Sam Timmins (development player).

THE COACHES

KINGS

Chase Buford, 1^st season with Sydney

BREAKERS

Dan Shamir, 3^rd season with New Zealand

KEY MATCHUP

R.J. Hunter vs. Jeremiah Martin

NBA fans might remember the name R.J. Hunter given he was a first round draft pick of the Boston Celtics in 2015. There’s a very good reason why he found himself on an NBA roster and it’s what NBL fans will soon discover – this guy can be a lights-out shooter with the ability to score in bunches and his perimeter ability will be a huge asset for the Kings this season. Hunter’s likely matchup in this game will be Jeremiah Martin, another ballplayer with an NBA pedigree – he played 12 games for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2019/20 season. Martin is someone who can play either guard spot and can put up serious numbers when he gets hot, and his battle with R.J. should be a good one.

THE QUESTIONS

Can the Kings control the boards?

Will Sydney’s depth wear out New Zealand?