Round 2 Preview: Kings vs Taipans

Written by Matt McQuade for Kings Media

Anyone who watched last week’s game between the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings and the Cairns Taipans could only come away with this thought.

Hey, you know what, these Kings might be pretty good after all!

Written off by many basketball scribes prior to the season and going into the Taipans game at long odds to get a victory in enemy territory against a ballclub almost universally hailed as a championship contender, Sydney instead dominated the game for large stretches, led by five points with three minutes remaining and lost by one in part to a potentially dodgy official’s call with three seconds left.

The purple and gold reminded all and sundry that despite their offseason losses and the introduction of a new head coach, they still are more than capable of competing at a very high level with the league’s elite.

There was Dejan Vasiljevic going for 15 points off the bench in his debut game, showing that he can’t be forgotten when it comes to Rookie of the Year candidates in NBL21.

New import Jarell Martin, playing just 15 minutes, but even in that limited time demonstrating why he played nearly 200 games in the NBA and has the ability to be a dominant force at this level.

Second year centre Jordan Hunter, who hardly played last season thanks to the presence of one Andrew Bogut, getting the start and providing great rim protection with three blocked shots, not to mention a surprisingly fluid offensive game.

Oh, and by the way, that new head coach, Adam Forde? I think you’ll find he’s pretty damn good. Sydney looked devastating at times with their ball movement, showcasing an unselfishness that has been a hallmark of the squad over the past couple of seasons allied with what already appears to be excellent chemistry.

Now, it’s not a completely happy story of course. A loss is a loss. And there’s no question the team would feel that it was a game they let slip.

However, there’s nothing like the opportunity for quick redemption. Which is what the Kings receive this Saturday night in Cairns as they meet the Taipans in a rematch of that Round One game that finished in somewhat controversial circumstances.

Like every opponent in NBL21, the Taipans present significant challenges, amplified by the fact the last time they played on their home floor they were embarrassed by the Hawks, making this game their own version of redemption.

There’s no doubt Cairns will be desperate given the circumstances of their defeat last Monday and the fact they have a lot of home games front-ended on their schedule. The pressure is on the North Queensland franchise to bank early wins and that could play into the hands of the purple and gold, who should come into this matchup with plenty of confidence.

Based on what we saw in game one of this regular season series, there are a number of mouth-watering individual matchups this Sunday, from Casper Ware resuming his friendly yet super-competitive rivalry with Cairns’ MVP favourite Scott Machado, to Dejan Vasiljevic having an opportunity to show he will make a bigger impact on NBL21 than the Taipans’ more lauded Next Star Mojave King and Didi Louzada going up against an emerging star in Kouat Noi.

Both teams will have made adjustments from Round One. And as ever, defence will determine the outcome. It has been a focus for Coach Forde and he will be looking for an improved effort at that end of the floor from his squad.

Look for an energised, determined Kings to take to the floor in Cairns this Saturday night.

Orange Army, take note. The purple and gold is coming for you.

Rise With Us Sydney.

 

WHO

Sydney Kings vs. Cairns Taipans

WHEN

Saturday 23 January, 8:00pm tipoff AEDT

LOCATION

Cairns Pop-Up Arena

TV/RADIO

ESPN; SBS On Demand; Cluch Radio, SWR99.9FM Radio

THE PLAYERS

KINGS

Casper Ware (import); Shaun Bruce; Didi Louzada (Next Star); Craig Moller; Jordan Hunter; Jarell Martin (import); Brad Newley; Dejan Vasiljevic; Angus Glover; Tom Vodanovich; Daniel Kickert, Jaylin Galloway (development player); Archie Woodhill (development player)

TAIPANS

Scott Machado (import); Mirko Djeric; Kouat Noi; Majok Deng; Cameron Oliver (import); Nathan Jawai; Mojave King (Next Star); Jarrod Kenny; Jordan Ngatai; Fabijan Krslovic; George Blagojevic; Jordan Hunt (development player)

THE COACHES

KINGS

Adam Forde, NBL rookie head coach, NBL record 0-1

TAIPANS

Mike Kelly, 3^rd season with Cairns, NBL career record 24-37

2020/2021 REGULAR SEASON SERIES

Taipans lead 1-0

Taipans defeated Kings 87-86 @ Cairns Pop-Up Arena, Round 1

NBL LADDER

Kings 0-1, fifth

Taipans 1-1, fourth

KEY MATCHUP

Jarell Martin vs. Cameron Oliver

We really only got a glimpse into the ability of Sydney’s Jarell Martin during his limited minutes last week, but that short look was more than enough to indicate that the Kings’ new import big man is going to make a significant impact on NBL21. His offensive repertoire is varied, with range out to the perimeter and an exceptional post game, and the more he gets comfortable with the league and the way it’s called, the better he will become at the defensive end of the floor. In many ways, he reminds you of the Taipans’ Cam Oliver, who had five blocked shots to go along with a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double and was a force at both ends last Saturday night. Oliver and Martin are both explosive, fluid athletes who are incredibly productive, and watching them go at each other as we progress this season will be appointment viewing.

THE QUESTIONS

Can Sydney bounce back and skin the Snakes?

Will Jordan Hunter and Dejan Vasiljevic continue their impressive Game One form?

HISTORY

All-time Head to Head

65 games played; Sydney leads 48-17

In Cairns

33 games played; Sydney leads 22-11

DID YOU KNOW?

A win for the Kings in this game will give them 500 victories overall in the history of the franchise in the National Basketball League. Currently, the team has a record of 940 NBL games played, with 499 wins and 441 losses.