Casper Ware stars as Kings claim 92-83 win over Taipans
The Kings cemented their spot on top of the NBL ladder with a massive 92-83 win over the Taipans – and they can thank Casper Ware for the magic show.
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You can’t question Andrew Bogut or Jae’Sean Tate’s importance to the Sydney Kings, but Casper Ware is the key piece in the franchise’s championship puzzle.
After a season of subpar shooting by his lofty standards, the title-winning guard rediscovered his spark to steer the Kings to a statement 92-83 win over the NBL’s hottest team, the Cairns Taipans.
Ware finished with 18 points to help Sydney cement their position on top of the NBL ladder and reinforce their championship favouritism.
The former Philadelphia 76er also narrowly won the battle of the star guard’s against Cairns star Scott Machado – a man many respected judges’ rate as this season’s MVP.
But on the big stage of a blockbuster top-three clash, Ware showed his class to remind everyone just how dominant he can be.
He opened the game with nine first-quarter points, including three of seven from beyond the arc.
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Kings coach Will Weaver praised Ware’s determination to persevere through his shooting slump from range.
“I know he is frustrated that some of those threes haven’t dropped, but what I love about him is that his approach doesn’t change,” Weaver said.
“He works the same way on the days that he makes shots and misses shots.
“In the last few weeks he has doggedly played big minutes, and often guarded the best perimeter player, while driving and finishing.
“The only thing that hasn’t happened is that his three hasn’t gone down the way that we are used to it going down. But I couldn’t care less.
“As a program we are so focused on our guys taking the best shot possible for the Kings and working to try and make the other team take shots that are good for the Kings.
“Casper is at the very point of that spear.”
BOGUT PRESENCE IN THE PAINT
Andrew Bogut isn’t the player he was when he won the league MVP last season.
Behind the scenes, he is managing his load following a full-on schedule post his Golden State Warriors NBA stint and the World Cup in China.
Despite this, Bogut is still hugely effective, especially on the defensive end.
He only had six points against Cairns but added eight rebounds.
Coach Weaver expects the veteran big man to be firing come the business end of the season.
“We as a group, and he is part of it, are trying to make sure that he is growing and peaking at the right time,” Weaver said.
“But he is a warrior. He is one of the most tough minded and physically tough players that I’ve ever been around.”
LOUZADA RUSTY
NBA-bound sensation Didi Louzada wasn’t at his best after three weeks out with a foot injury, but he will only get better with time.
Louzada only had three points in his 15 minutes on the floor while he missed a couple of easy layups. But don’t fret too much, Kings fans.
Expect Louzada to get much better with more game time under his belt in the coming weeks.
TURNOVERS MUST STOP
Sydney are loaded with talent, but their weakness is turnovers.
The Kings had 20 against Cairns, including six in five minutes in the second quarter.
This must change if Sydney is going to defeat the likes of Perth, Melbourne United and the Taipans in the finals.
Thankfully, the Kings’ defence was outstanding against Cairns. The Kings are the NBL’s leading defensive team and it showed versus the Taipans.
COOKS PROVES WORTH
NBA hopeful Xavier Cooks started in the small forward position, with Sydney opting to ease Louzada back into the action after almost three weeks out injured.
Cooks made an immediate impact with his passing vision and determination on the defensive end. He had 6 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists.
It’s unlikely that the rising Boomer will remain in the starting side, especially heading into the finals, but he proved he is more than capable of stepping up if asked upon.
He will play a vital for Sydney in the postseason with his youthful exuberance set to be a real secret weapon for the Kings.
Veteran Sydney forward Daniel Kickert, who starred with 18 points, couldn’t be happier to have Cooks on his team.
“He has been huge,” Kickert said. “The way things panned out, it worked out really great for us to sign him. We got a super high-quality player, but also an easy guy to integrate into the team.”
BUCKETS FOR BUSHFIRE VICTIMS
Sometimes sport isn’t just about the on-court action.
This was on display at Qudos Bank Arena with the Kings and Taipans raising $16,200 for the communities affected by the bushfires.
Originally published as Casper Ware stars as Kings claim 92-83 win over Taipans