Bruce calls on Kings to take nothing for granted

For the younger generation of Sydney Kings players, making the Championship Series in back-to-back seasons may seem like a bit of a cakewalk. Veteran guard Shaun Bruce isn’t taking anything for granted though.

Bruce has spent a decade playing in the NBL. After starting his career with the Cairns Taipans in 2012, the now 32-year-old has also spent time at the Bullets, 36ers and Kings, as well as stints in New Zealand, Malaysia and NBL1.

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He reached a Championship Series while still at the Taipans earlier in his career, and was a member of the side that was swept by the Breakers in 2015.

He says no player should take any Playoff appearance for granted.

“I got to my first finals series and then didn’t get back there for six or seven years, earlier in my career playing for Cairns,” Bruce told SEN.

“You never know when these opportunities are going to come around.

“The excitement’s the same, I think the anticipation with the week off is the same, and the boys are just looking forward to going again.

“[We’re] taking it all in, enjoying it, and at the end of the day not overthinking it too much.”

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Whilst All-NBL First Team members Xavier Cooks and Derrick Walton Jr have stolen the bulk of the headlines for the Kings this season, Bruce enjoyed a moment at the top of Australian basketball after hitting a crucial game-winner over the Illawarra Hawks.

Bruce has largely spent his NBL career as a reliable, high-quality bench option behind the likes of Cam Gliddon and Scottie Wilbekin at Cairns, Ramone Moore and Nathan Sobey at Adelaide, and now Walton Jr and DJ Vasiljevic at Sydney.

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He’s formed a powerful bench unit alongside the likes of Kouat Noi, Jordi Hunter and Angus Glover this season, and believes that depth will be key to his side’s title hopes.

“I think a big strength of ours is our depth,” he said.

“We have talent across the board.

“There have been a number of nights where we’ve gone to our bench, and the bench guys have got it done or picked things back up and got things rolling.

“We love playing with ‘Xav’ and Derrick and they’ve both had great seasons, but I think it’s what everyone chips in that makes us really special.

Game one of the Kings' best-of-five Championship Series against New Zealand tips off on Friday, March 3 at 7:30pm AEDT at Qudos Bank Arena, with tickets available here.