Cooks embraces 'scary' Baynes challenge

By Dan Woods for NBL.com.au

Sydney forward Xavier Cooks is one of the most exciting talents in the NBL.

His offensive package strikes fear into the hearts of most defenders across the league – this week though, he’s the one who’s going to be under the defensive pump.

Cooks and the Kings are tasked with facing an exciting Brisbane side that, of course, contains long-time Boomer Aron Baynes.

Although Baynes is still on the comeback trail from a serious back injury, he’s still not a player you underestimate.

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The Sydney and Brisbane big men already have some knowledge of each other having trained together in the lead-up to the Boomers’ Tokyo Olympic campaign.

“I’m kind of scared to guard that dude (Baynes), but I’m excited for the challenge,” Cooks said.

“He’s a hell of a talent, he deserves all the accolades that come to him.

“He’s an unbelievable screener and he’s a great stealer under the basket … I learned a lot from that man.

“It’s going to be a whole team commitment [to guard him].”

Baynes’ long road back to the court has been well-publicised over the last year or so. The horrific back injury, the long recovery, the NBA workouts and the contract with Brisbane.

With each passing minute on the court, he’s shaking off the understandable rust that came with being not just out of the game for so long, but being unable to train.

After striking up a friendship in that aforementioned Boomers camp, Cooks says Baynes’ return to the court isn’t unexpected for someone so mentally strong.

“They were talking about [Baynes’ recovery] taking years and he’s already back,” Cooks said. “They were talking about him not being able to run and he’s out there sprinting around.

“I’m not really surprised. That’s who ‘Baynesy’ is. If you tell him he can’t walk he’s going to start running.

“The way he’s been playing lately, there’s so much joy on the court. I’m really happy for him.

Cooks’ Sydney Kings take on Baynes’ Brisbane tonight at 7:30pm AEDT - with tickets available here.