Hunter relishing Finals tilt with Kings

Jordi Hunter’s career resume contains the words ‘NBL Champion’, however, this season could be the first time the Sydney centre sees the court in an NBL playoff series since his debut campaign.

Despite being a member of the all-conquering Kings that overcame the JackJumpers to win the championship last season, Hunter was seen celebrating victories in a club polo and a pair of dress pants.

A foot injury had curtailed his season and he couldn’t regain fitness in time for, what could have been, the biggest few weeks of his career.

He returned to the court this season and has been an ever-present for the side. He’s played a crucial role backing up import centre Tim Soares and MVP Xavier Cooks, and he’s put in a handful of match-turning performances in his own right.

Most notable, perhaps, was his 12-point, four block performance against Melbourne United in October.

“The team did a good job of keeping me involved and making me feel like I was a part of it,” Hunter told SEN.

“Having said that I would have preferred to be out there helping the boys get the job done.

“We’ve got a few wins to get but I’m really glad to have my part to play.”

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Those few wins before a potential second straight Grand Final series appearance are no sure thing though. In the way of Hunter and the Kings is a side that’s already beaten them twice this season – the Cairns Taipans.

Two key points of difference seem to be leaning the way of the Kings though. The first and potential third game of the series will be played in Sydney, giving the Kings hometown advantage, and Cairns enter the series struck with injury.

Keanu Pinder is already a certainty to miss the series with a facial injury, while Tahjere McCall is a game time decision as he battles a shoulder injury.

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Hunter says regardless of any missing players, his side won’t be taking the Taipans lightly.

“They obviously have some outs that are some great players, but they have a lot of great players left on the roster,” he said. “We don’t want to take them lightly because they’re missing bodies.

“They’re going to play a similar brand of basketball – probably a little more three heavy – to us. They’ll run us up and down the floor and that’s exactly what we want to do.

“There are a lot of ways we align in playstyle … they’re a great basketball team, they’ve had a great season and they took care of business [against us] two out of three times.

“We have some work to do to make sure we pay that back.”

The regular season champions will host the series' first game at Qudos Bank Arena on Wednesday, February 15 from 7.30pm AEDT - with tickets still available here.