Majok Deng says Adelaide 36ers cohesion and work ethic can match All Star rivals
ADELAIDE 36ers forward Majok Deng is using the disappointment of last season’s losing grand final series to drive his performance to a higher level this season.
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MAJOK Deng is harnessing the ‘hurt’ of Adelaide’s 2017-18 grand final loss entering Thursday’s season opener against arch-rival Perth Wildcats at home followed by Andrew Bogut’s Sydney Kings in the Harbour City on Saturday night .
Deng returns with an appreciation of what it takes to realize his twin dreams of an NBL ring and NBA deal.
Deng concedes he had a day to forget in Adelaide’s decisive, 18-point, game-five loss to Melbourne United at Hisense Arena last March. The melancholy of defeat has been usurped by faith in the road ahead.
“It was definitely a hard one swallow going down like that. Credit to them, it hurts. We go into the season and want to take that next step,” said Deng, fresh from off-season training with Dallas Mavericks and Adelaide’s clash with Utah Jazz.
“Game five was one of the worst I have played but we had a bad game collectively. We just want to move forward with the mindset. We have areas to improve on.”
Deng was trading greetings with Bogut at Monday’s Luna Park launch but noted the 2015 Golden State Warriors NBA championship winner’s pre-game warning. There is no place for ‘any smiles or handshakes’ come Saturday.
“Off the court he can be all smiles but once you are on the court it doesn’t matter there is no friendship. I can’t wait,” Deng told The Advertiser.
Andrew Gaze will unleash a blockbuster roster including Bogut and small forward Brian Bowen – signed through the NBA’s next stars initiative. Former 36ers favourite Jerome Randall will captain the Kings.
Sydney’s recruiting largesse contrasts with Adelaide losing NBL fans MVP Mitch Creek and Josh Childress. Former Brooklyn Nets forward Jacob Wiley and Dominican point guard Adris de Leon aren’t big names but will deliver in an up-tempo Joey Wright unit insists Deng.
“Sydney has an all star team on paper but the good thing about the off-season is we have played them. It gives us a little idea about them. It should be a good game,” Deng said, lauding Nathan Sobey’s 25 points on Jazz superstar Donovan Mitchell last Friday.
“People might think we aren’t the same team. Josh Childress and Mitch Creek, as an Australian, was a big loss. I feel like we are really good this year. Sobey was at the level against Utah.”
Sudanese refugee Deng, 25, looms as Wright’s X-Factor this season with a combination of outside shooting and rare athleticism for a 208cm forward.
The NBA is no pipe dream following positive feedback from the Mavericks.
“It taught me a lot, things to work on. They told me I have the talent to play in the league but just need a bit more strength,” Deng said.
“I need to be more versatile on defence and guard guys one to five. One day I feel like I am going there. I work hard every day trying to get there.”