Smith throws down gauntlet to 36ers

A gauntlet has been thrown down to the 36ers by Sydney Kings owner Paul Smith, who has described Adelaide as “deadset thinking they’re the Golden State Warriors”.

Adelaide has famously returned to the NBL after defeating the Phoenix Suns in pre-season action, and in doing so the 36ers became the first NBL side to ever beat NBA opposition.

After suffering a tough loss in their opening game of the season, the 36ers rebounded to win against Illawarra on the weekend to move to a 1-1 record in NBL23.

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Sydney hosts Adelaide on Friday night in what will be the first matchup of the season between two of the competition’s championships favourites.

“They (Adelaide) are talking themselves up so hard,” Smith said on Big Sports Breakfast.

“I’m glad we’ve seen them recover a bit from their trip to the States, because I’d have hated to have played them and kicked their [butts], and them say they’re jetlagged or whatever. It’s going to be great.

“I can assure you we’re scared,” he added sarcastically. “We’re frightened, I can’t sleep – I’m that nervous.”

The 36ers weren’t the only team in the sights of Smith, with the owner also taking a swipe at his side’s local rivals – the Illawarra Hawks.

The Hawks have slumped to a 1-4 start to the new season after last night’s 26-point loss to New Zealand.

“I think what they’ve got is self-inflicted wounds at the moment,” Smith said.

“They got absolutely towelled down on their home court.

“They need to go into a room full of mirrors and have a big, hard look at themselves – that’s what I’d say.”

While there are still a number of rounds of NBL23 action until the competition’s inaugural Christmas Day game – where the Kings will play Melbourne United – Smith already has one eye on the historic fixture.

Although the NBL has had a presence through the holiday season before, this year represents the first time a game will be played on December 25, and it will be the first-ever Christmas night fixture in the Australian sporting calendar.

“We certainly weren’t sure about the reaction we were going to get but it’s been really positive. Forward sales are great and more importantly, I think it’s going to become a great TV event as well,” Smith said of the game.

“I think it’s going to bring all of Australia together to watch something they may not normally see We’ve got the whole day to ourselves. Us and Santa Claus are the only two things on that day.”