Kendric Davis grows as a player and leader
Written By
Wayne Cousins
“I just think you're seeing greatness," said Goorjian.
Kendric Davis may have produced one of his finest ever games on Sunday, but it’s his personal growth that has also impressed Sydney Kings Coach Brian Goorjian.
Davis became the first player in NBL history to produce 34 points, 15 assists and no turnovers in a game, as Sydney took game three, 106-93, in front of an all-time NBL record crowd of 18,373.
It was a magical performance and came on the back of Adelaide’s MVP, Bryce Cotton, scoring 28 points and six assists in the 36ers’ game two win on Friday night.
“You don't play better than that,” Goorjian said of Davis.
“You keep talking about all the way through the League, you're seeing the two best in that spot go at each other.
“It's worth the price of admission. Kendric and Bryce are as good as they get.
“I just think you're seeing greatness, and it's drawn out the best in both.
“Bryce was incredible in Game 2, Kendric hit back tonight.
“You're seeing two teams that are going after each other and want it bad, and the guard play, for both teams, is pretty elite.”
Goorjian praised Davis for the way he has grown as a person and player in his first season at the Kings following a tough time at Adelaide last season.
“Maybe I’m built different, but I like his tenacity,’’ Goorjian added.
“He, and the team right now, there’s no talk about tomorrow (of where am I playing when the season ends). They want this thing bad.
“This group was extremely upset when we lost that game (two). We were in a good position and we let that thing go.
“He is strong willed. It is what you see is what you get. We’re seeing two great ones. How he is built is how he is built.
“You can see what he’s trying to do, from shooting the ball, to controlling the flow of the game, to dealing with the pressure.
“His evolution for a young guard, trying to get everyone involved (has been incredible).
“I think he learnt a lot after Game 2. His growth both in the past two days, but also the season, is hard to duplicate.
“We all love him here. Personally, I know I do, and our staff loves coaching him.”
Kings centre Tim Soares also spoke highly of Davis after his stunning performance.
“Just the way he played and kind of picked his moments were the biggest part of it,’’ Soares said.
“Getting X (Xavier Cooks), Delly (Matthew Dellavedova), and JG (Jaylin Galloway) was really cool to see him get everybody involved, and then to finish up with 34 points (was amazing).”
The Kings now head to Adelaide on Wednesday to try and win their sixth championship.
Davis became the first player in NBL history to produce 34 points, 15 assists and no turnovers in a game, as Sydney took game three, 106-93, in front of an all-time NBL record crowd of 18,373.
It was a magical performance and came on the back of Adelaide’s MVP, Bryce Cotton, scoring 28 points and six assists in the 36ers’ game two win on Friday night.
“You don't play better than that,” Goorjian said of Davis.
“You keep talking about all the way through the League, you're seeing the two best in that spot go at each other.
“It's worth the price of admission. Kendric and Bryce are as good as they get.
“I just think you're seeing greatness, and it's drawn out the best in both.
“Bryce was incredible in Game 2, Kendric hit back tonight.
“You're seeing two teams that are going after each other and want it bad, and the guard play, for both teams, is pretty elite.”
Goorjian praised Davis for the way he has grown as a person and player in his first season at the Kings following a tough time at Adelaide last season.
“Maybe I’m built different, but I like his tenacity,’’ Goorjian added.
“He, and the team right now, there’s no talk about tomorrow (of where am I playing when the season ends). They want this thing bad.
“This group was extremely upset when we lost that game (two). We were in a good position and we let that thing go.
“He is strong willed. It is what you see is what you get. We’re seeing two great ones. How he is built is how he is built.
“You can see what he’s trying to do, from shooting the ball, to controlling the flow of the game, to dealing with the pressure.
“His evolution for a young guard, trying to get everyone involved (has been incredible).
“I think he learnt a lot after Game 2. His growth both in the past two days, but also the season, is hard to duplicate.
“We all love him here. Personally, I know I do, and our staff loves coaching him.”
Kings centre Tim Soares also spoke highly of Davis after his stunning performance.
“Just the way he played and kind of picked his moments were the biggest part of it,’’ Soares said.
“Getting X (Xavier Cooks), Delly (Matthew Dellavedova), and JG (Jaylin Galloway) was really cool to see him get everybody involved, and then to finish up with 34 points (was amazing).”
The Kings now head to Adelaide on Wednesday to try and win their sixth championship.
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