Round One Preview - Kings vs. United

By Matt McQuade

 

Here we go.

It’s Round One of the NBL22 season this week; a much-anticipated season where many teams have loaded up, at least six have legitimate championship hopes and we’ve got a new club in the Tasmania JackJumpers, who are bringing back NBL basketball to the Apple Isle after an absence of a quarter century.

And as far as the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings are concerned, NBL22 represents a whole new world.

For one thing, the team has a new head coach; one of the brightest basketball minds there is.

For another, the squad features six new players; two of whom have played in the NBA – importantly, all are incredibly talented and boast a varied skillset.

Then there’s perhaps the most seismic change in the Hoops Capital, that of bringing the Sydney Uni Flames WNBL team under the organisation’s umbrella.

It’s all about the Two Teams, One Club concept now, and it represents a bonanza for all Sydney basketball fans, starting this week with a spectacular double header on Sunday afternoon at Qudos Bank Arena.

Make no mistake, it’s nothing less than a hoops extravaganza at the Q this Sunday.

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At 12:30pm, the new-look Flames take to the court for their first action in the WNBL season. Led by new Head Coach, Sydney Kings Legend Shane Heal, and featuring three of the top ten draft picks in the 2021 WNBA draft, including explosive point guard Shyla Heal, Sydney will do battle with the UC Capitals, a team that boasts former WNBL Grand Final MVP Kelsey Griffin, WNBA standout Brittney Sykes and rising star Jade Melbourne.

The Capitals went 9-4 and reached the semi-finals in the last WNBL season, so they represent a significant challenge first-up for ‘The Hammer’ and his exciting new group.

The second of Sunday’s world-class double-header features the Kings’ season opener; a blockbuster matchup against the defending NBL champions Melbourne United.

The team that took all before them in NBL21 has had significant changes to their roster in the offseason, and will come into this clash minus super-scorer Chris Goulding, who has a minor hamstring injury. However, Melbourne is still loaded with talent and will be a huge test for new Head Coach Chase Buford and his crew.

Start in the backcourt with Australian Olympian and NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova, one of the toughest, hardest working players this country has ever produced. ‘Delly’ is a phenomenal defender and an intelligent playmaker, and his matchup with new Sydney import floor leader Jaylen Adams will be a highlight of the game.

Then you’ve got NBL21 Sixth Man of the Year Jo Lual-Acuil stepping into the starting role vacated by NBA-bound Jock Landale. Lual-Acuil is phenomenally long and tough to deal with in the low post; defensively he’s a menace who can change shots on a frequent basis.

Well coached by Dean Vickerman, United has plenty of depth, with former Kings Brad Newley and Dion Prewster adding veteran smarts on the wing while new import Caleb Agada is a quality two-way player, Shea Ili is a dogged defender and Ariel Hukporti is a seven-foot Next Star with NBA potential.

Sydney will be without Jordan Hunter and Dejan Vasiljevic due to injury, but the purple and gold will nonetheless showcase a very talented line-up at the Q this Sunday.

Kings’ fans will get their first look at import wing RJ Hunter, a man with unlimited shooting range who has the ability to go for big numbers at any time. His starting backcourt partnership with Jaylen Adams, a guy already getting some NBL MVP buzz, will be a huge strength of the roster.

Speaking of strength – the Kings have that in bucketloads with a frontline that is one of the biggest and most athletic in franchise history. From the returnees like Xavier Cooks and Jarell Martin to the new blood in Makur and Matur Maker – this is one seriously loaded frontcourt and there’s little doubt Chase Buford will look to unleash his phalanx of bigs early and often this Sunday.

And once Coach Buford turns to his bench, he’ll see more quality in the form of Shaun Bruce, Angus Glover and Tom Vodanovich.

Flames. Kings. It all sets up for what should be an incredible day of basketball in the Hoops Capital.

Let’s go Sydney.

WHO

Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings vs. Melbourne United

Sydney Uni Flames vs. UC Capitals

WHEN

Sunday 5 December, 3:00pm tipoff AEST (Kings); 12:30pm tipoff (Flames)

LOCATION

Qudos Bank Arena

TICKETS

Available via Ticketek or the Qudos Bank Arena Box Office

TV

ESPN, 10Peach

RADIO

Cluch Radio

THE PLAYERS

KINGS

Jaylen Adams (import); R.J. Hunter (import); Xavier Cooks; Jarell Martin (import); Matur Maker

Shaun Bruce; Angus Glover; Wani Swaka Lo Buluk Makur Maker (Next Star); Tom Vodanovich; Biwali Bayles; Jaylin Galloway (development player); Jayden Hodgson (development Player)

UNITED

Matthew Dellavedova; Caleb Agada (import); Brad Newley; Mason Peatling; Jo Lual-Acuil

Shae Ili; David Barlow; Ariel Hukporti (Next Star); Dion Prewster; Callum Dalton; David Okwera (development player); Zac Triplett (development player); Will Hickey (development player)

THE COACHES

KINGS

Chase Buford, NBL rookie head coach

UNITED

Dean Vickerman, 5^th season with United, record with United 95-47, NBL career record 146-87, three NBL championships

2020/2021 REGULAR SEASON SERIES

Tied 2-2

United defeated Kings 93-80 @ John Cain Arena, Round 7

Kings defeated United 103-75 @ Qudos Bank Arena, Round 10

United defeated Kings 103-78 @ John Cain Arena, Round 16

Kings defeated United 100-98 (2OT) @ Qudos Bank Arena, Round 20

2020/2021 STATS

KINGS

Points For: 86.4ppg, fifth

Points Against: 85.8ppg, fifth

Field Goal Percentage: 43.9%, sixth

Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 43.6%, third

Rebounds: 40.6rpg, fourth

Assists: 16.4apg, seventh

Steals: 5.0spg, ninth

Blocked Shots: 3.1bpg, sixth

Offensive Rating: 111.4, fifth

Defensive Rating: 110.5, fourth

UNITED

Points For: 88.6ppg, third

Points Against: 82.1ppg, third

Field Goal Percentage: 46.6%, first

Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 42.2%, first

Rebounds: 41.2rpg, third

Assists: 18.4apg, fourth

Steals: 6.3spg, fourth

Blocked Shots: 5.3bpg, first

Offensive Rating: 114.1, third

Defensive Rating: 105.8, first

KEY MATCHUP

Jaylen Adams vs. Matthew Dellavedova

While not quite at the same level as when the mighty Andrew Bogut came to play in the National Basketball League, the arrival of Matthew Dellavedova this season is nonetheless highly noteworthy. The former St Mary’s standout and NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers brings his relentless nature, high IQ and undoubted work ethic to the NBL and there’s no doubt he will have a significant impact on both his team and the competition as a whole. And in terms of impact, Jaylen Adams also has that same potential as far as the Kings are concerned. A superb floor leader with the ability to score at all three levels, Adams is a no doubt MVP candidate whose poise and on-court leadership will be huge keys to Sydney’s fortunes in NBL22. This is a great early matchup between two ballplayers who won’t give an inch whenever they are on the floor – two guys who will go at each other with maximum intensity all night long.

THE QUESTIONS

Can Sydney take advantage of Chris Goulding’s absence?

Will RJ Hunter light it up from the perimeter?

HISTORY

All-time Head-to-Head

33 games played; United leads 23-10

In Sydney

17 games played; United leads 10-7

At Qudos Bank Arena

13 games played; Kings lead 7-6

DID YOU KNOW?

This is the first season opening game at home for the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings since the 2018/19 season, when the purple and gold lost to Adelaide 94-83 at Qudos Bank Arena. The Kings have a 19-13 record in all season openers (regardless of venue) since they began play in the NBL in 1988; their record in home season openers is 21-11.

 

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