“We’re the best team in the league”: Cooks

NBL MVP Xavier Cooks has declared the Sydney Kings are the 'best team in the league' and are determined to claim the championship for the second year in a row.

The Kings were early to clinch a Finals spot in round 15, the first team to lock in a post-season berth this season.

Sydney now awaits its opponent in the Playoffs, which will be the winner of the Play-In Game between the Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats.

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Cooks is confident the Kings will secure another title and win back-to-back championships, regardless of who they play in the Playoffs.

“It doesn’t matter who we face. We’re the Sydney Kings, we’re the best team in the league and we’re going to show it,” Cooks said.

The game plans of the Taipans or Wildcats doesn’t faze Cooks, as he reiterated the focus is on their own preparation.

“We’re not focussing on scouts right now we’re focussing on us and getting better at our habits,” he said.

Fellow All-NBL First Team player Derrick Walton Jr was mentioned as the “best point guard in the league” by Cooks and he is set to make a big impact in the Playoffs.

Walton Jr averages 16.4 points, 6.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.

“Derrick is the best point guard in the league, he really finds his teammates in the right spots. He makes everyone better around him and we’re going to really rely on him in the Playoffs,” Cooks said.

Check out our NBL23 Finals hype reel above, via our Sydney Kings' YouTube channel. While you're there, be sure to hit subscribe, to ensure you never miss out on any of our great videos.

Game one of the Kings’ best-of-three Playoff series is scheduled for next Wednesday night at 7:30pm AEDT at Qudos Bank Arena - with tickets still available here.