Basketball On The Internet.

IT'S unprecedented. It's unusual. It's uncanny because it's the Sydney Kings, once again shocking us all by bringing in a US coach in Joe Connelly.

I mean yeah, we all dig that he's "here to help" but maybe if the club let coach Damian Cotter in on some of its recruiting moves now and again, he might not need the "help".

The Kings were busy touting King Joe's arrival as a "welcome addition" to the coaching staff because, well, let's face it, what head coach DOESN'T want input from an American assistant-coach management has flown in?

To suggest this is "typical of Sydney" as a means of explaining why the club has trouble going in the same direction - e.g. forward - would be to accurately simplify it.

It's been known for a while now the Kings were bringing in "help" but it's nice too when management butts out long enough for the team to isolate itself, play as one and whip Adelaide by 22.

"Connelly will take on the role of specialist assistant coach and will play a part in player
development, strategic development planning while placing a strong emphasis on player
engagement and mind management," the Kings' release said.

Mind management? I think the Kings showed after blowing a 25-point lead in Adelaide but five days late smacking the 36ers 106-84 that their minds are in pretty good shape. Can the 36ers borrow Joe for some "mind management"?

Connelly spent three seasons with the NBA's Washington Wizards as an assistant coach, his appointment as a specialist coach the first time an NBL club has - according to the Kings - "hired a
coach in such a pointed role".

Forgive us out here in Innocents Land for thinking there may be something pointed near Cotter's back.

"We are lucky to have Joe joining us at the Sydney Kings," said Tim Hudson, Head of Basketball
Operations.

"Joe brings something completely unique to the Sydney Kings and the NBL as a whole in that he has a specialised skillset that will compliment our coaching staff as they continue to mould and empower this talented team."

KINGS CAME BACK: It was tough in Adelaide but Sydney bounced back at home.

Mould and empower. Hmm. How about the club moulds and empowers its head coach to run the show as he sees fit so a fair assessment can be made on exactly how he's doing?

WHAT a great round again for our elite leagues, Cairns ending - not that unexpectedly - Melbourne's winning streak in one of several high quality games.

The WNBL's facelifted Perth Lynx again showed it was definitely in the playoff picture, claiming Dandenong's scalp again, then rocking the Spirit in Bendigo.

Kayla Standish made a triumphant return too, helping the MAC Adelaide Lightning to their first road win of the season, somewhat spoiling the party in Canberra celebrating Jessica Bibby's record-breaking 378th game.

BRIAN Conklin being charged by the NBL for "striking with an elbow" and additionally "unsportsmanlike conduct" suggests the league has had enough of reckless arm flailing.

The Townsville Crocs' import has been a model citizen for two years, claiming the league MVP last season.

But his attitude over the past two weeks hasn't done him any great service. Suffice to say it would surprise if he escaped penalty this time around.