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SYDNEY Kings 25th Anniversary team, revealed last week to much fanfare, was just a little bit soft in its criteria for my tastes.

I know in some circles it's equally important to keep past greats happy as it is to legitimately honor your history but come on now, four imports?

Four?

No offence intended for bench imports Leon Trimmingham and Steve Carfino but if they weren't good enough to displace starters Dwayne McClain and Chris Williams - and they weren't - then they really had no business being in the team.

I know Steve's legend and legacy has grown disproportionately due to his presence as a TV commentator and that Neon Leon was one of the league's most spectacular dunkers but then, so were Brett Rainbow, Everard Bartlett and Bennie Lewis Jr.

And naming 12 players?

Twelve?

Really?

It was that hard to come up with 10 that the esteemed judges could not split three guys? Just chuck out the superfluous imports then!

“This is a special occasion, as it is not just another season but it is our 25th anniversary season.  A special occasion indeed,” Kings chairman Phil Hudson said at the announcement and team launch last Thursday at the Australian Museum.  

The team is:

Starters: Shane Heal, Jason Smith, Dwayne McClain, Chris Williams, Matt Nielsen.

Bench: Steve Carfino, Damian Keogh, CJ Bruton, Ben Madgen, Leon Trimmingham, Mark Dalton, Mark Worthington.

Coach was Brian Goorjian and captain Jason Smith.

Just FYI, in June here at this site, Kings fans voted and gave us their team, which DID have NBL criteria.

It was:

Starters: Shane Heal, Jason Smith, Dwayne McClain, Chris Williams, Matt Nielsen.

Bench: CJ Bruton, Ben Madgen, Ian Davies, Mark Dalton, Dean Uthoff.

Coach: Brian Goorjian.

Amazing that the starters were the same or, maybe not.

From all accounts, it was a great night and the judges - working with no obvious criteria - selected accordingly.

Fans had input too but the Kings' judges were Phil Hudson, Bob Turner, Andrew Lazaris, Adam Wrublewski, Debbie Spillane, John Davidson, Matt McQuade and the man behind the famous Sydney Kings Lion.

That's a terrific panel and if you don't know who one or other of them is, you don't know too much about the Kings.

Congratulations to the club for recognising its rich history and embracing so many of its past players yet again.

 

SPEAKING of Sydney, former Kings captain Brad Rosen was off to a flying start in his new role as a color commentator for Channel 10-ONE's television coverage with Sunday's game against Melbourne.

Introduced by Steve Carfino, Rosen was off to the races, telling us he had caught up with new referees boss Mal Speed for the interpretations.

It was a nice one for those of us with longer memories, Mal Speed being NBL Chairman during its rise in the 90s.

Of course Brad meant Mal Cooper, and it was an easily forgiveable gaffe, given his obvious enthusiasm to embrace his new role.

He then explained the game was going to be called tighter - hands fouls etcetera - before my favorite line of the day, the classic Freudian slip.

"It will definitely make for a free-throwing game," he said.

Um. Free-FLOWING game did you mean?

LOL

Rosen was a little too wordy for mine but it was his first time and he was insightful and will improve.

He already has more to offer than the unremarkable Carfino who managed to say: "Harvey will probably have a career season" when the off-guard went on his last quarter scoring spree.

Career season? What, better than his 21.2ppg for Gold Coast in 2008 or 21.7 for West Sydney in 2006? Really?

Oh geez Steve.

 

 

NBL Rankings

This Wk - Prev

8 (8) CROCODILES – Lost at home to Cairns and now host the Breakers? Looks like 0-2.

7 (7) HAWKS - Copped a welt in Auckland and need a strong showing in Adelaide.

6 (2) TIGERS – Melbourne's 69 points was the lowest of Rd.1 and it needs to find offence fast.

5 (6) KINGS – Got out of jail at home but the Wildcats in Perth are a nightmare.

4 (5) 36ERS – Put in a great effort minus two starters and must win their season-opener.

3 (1) WILDCATS – Impressive without being overwhelming against depleted 36ers.

2 (3) BREAKERS – Took care of business at home but Hawks were well below best.

1 (4) TAIPANS – Took out arch rivals away and now catch NZ on road-game-two in Cairns.

WNBL Rankings

This Wk – Prev

9 (7) THUNDER – Not doing enough right now but a 1-1 road split or better will move them fast.

8 (6) WAVES – Would start favorites with Logan on day two of its trip south-west but must win.

7 (8) CAPITALS – Can expect no favors from Bendigo after faltering in Adelaide.

6 (9) LIGHTNING – Double-header at home, big crowd, Jenni Screen 150th game = victory.

5 (5) FLAMES – Haven't done too much wrong so far but not winning. Time for a big scalp.

4 (1) FIRE – Shot themselves in the foot against Melbourne but have a shot at quick redemption.

3 (3) SPIRIT – Did enough to run over Adelaide but have yet to truly impress. Trip will be revealing.

2 (2) RANGERS – Chugging along nicely, much like 2012-13, but Townsville will challenge.

1 (4) BOOMERS – Have surprised with 3-0 start and have Rachel Jarry to come. Looking good.

THIS WEEK’S TIPS

TOWNSVILLE blew a golden opportunity at home against arch rival Cairns and most – myself included – believe the reigning champs NZ are at the very least on par with the Taipans. That doesn’t suggest any greater joy for the Crocodiles this week, unless imports Brian Foulin, er, Conklin and Josh Pace stay out of foul trouble.

WILDCATS coach Trevor Gleeson is likely to be missing but Perth Arena has so much going for it and the team it houses such a powerhouse, it is hard to see Sydney pinching this one. Can’t see who the Kings can use to counter James Ennis The Menace and it’s not as if he doesn’t have a super support cast.

THE twin debuts of Jarrid Frye (36ers) and Kevin Tiggs (Hawks) should add extra spice to an already tasty clash between two clubs seeking redemption – Wollongong for last week, Adelaide for the last four years. That little bit of extra on it for the Sixers, who aren’t at home again this month, should be the difference.

CATCHING NZ on the back of its game against Townsville opens the door a little wider for Cairns to come bursting through against its 2011 Grand Final tormentor. The pace and depth of the Taipans will truly challenge the Breakers whose own credibility as a Championship contender will sky-rocket if they get this and the Crocs for the double. Instead though, I see them swamped in a sea of orange.

THERE would have been a lot more feeling in Melbourne’s first visit by Perth if Trevor Gleeson’s personal circumstances had been a little different leading in. After all, first visit by the guy whose Tigers deal was terminated early against the replacement guys, plus Ayinde Ubaka who previously was cut while Trev was out of the room. But not now. If you want a roughie for the round, you could do worse than pick Melbourne here.

MELBOURNE caught Townsville unawares last round but the Fire will be revved up to erase that. Two names here. Batkovic. Madgen. They are the respective keys to this and Suzy is about ready to don the cape and mask. Fire up!

SYDNEY has the champs in the house and, guess what? The Flames have dropped a couple now so should be just about ripe to roll out an “upset”. Remember, Bendigo didn’t exactly set the world alight with its performance against Adelaide and is vulnerable. Flame on!

THE Rangers are rolling and Townsville is still finding it again after starting by stopping the Spirit. But it has been start-stop-start for the Fire and Dandenong has Jenna O’Hea ready to break 30 this round.  Park the Rangers? I think not.

THERE will be a storm on for sure in Adelaide when Lightning and Thunder gather, with grey clouds for the loser. In front of a growing crowd as part of their WNBL-NBL double-header, expect Lightning to strike and Thunder to crack. (I must have done that before, surely?)

IF I am right, and there is not even a skerrick of a shred of evidence to support that contention, Bendigo will be so stung by dropping to Sydney, it will come out and prevail over the Capitals in Canberra. Mixing your Spirits? I think not.

DRIVEN by a probable 0-3 start, Logan will break its drought against West Coast in what will be possibly the most fierce and feisty match of the round between two teams battling to be relevant. The Thunder will rule amid Waves of nausea.

 

DEAR Icebergs,
Sorry to hear about the global warming. Karma's a bitch.
Sincerely, The Titanic