Sydney Kings’ championship aspirations at a critical point as star imports face uncertain paths

An injury to one star and a tantrum over minutes from another has Brian Goorjian’s Kings going from championship favourites to falling apart just seven weeks into the NBL season.

The Sydney Kings were the overwhelming championship favourites in the pre-season, but the cracks are already appearing with a star guard no certainty to play again this season while an import big is unhappy about his minutes.

The Kings’ NBL25 campaign is at a critical point following revelations former MVP Jaylen Adams won’t have an impact on the group “for a while” due to a back injury.

It’s understood Sydney officials want to see Adams prove he can fully train without pain before the guard can return to the court as the real prospect of signing an injury replacement looms.

Jaylen Adams may not return this season due to a back injury. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

‘’I don’t think he's going to have an impact on our group for a while’’

Brian Goorjian provides an update on Jaylen Adams. pic.twitter.com/NtZmkhoVts

— NBL (@NBL) October 27, 2024

The Kings are also dealing with an aggrieved Cam Oliver, with the import centre understood to be frustrated with his lack of minutes to start NBL25.

Oliver’s irritation about his minutes reached boiling point during Sunday’s upset loss to the New Zealand Breakers.

A clearly annoyed big man was seen smashing his hands on the court in front of Sydney’s bench after being subbed out with eight minutes and 28 seconds left in the fourth quarter of the clash against the Breakers.

He then sat for the remainder of the match as the Kings lost 93-89.

It’s understood Oliver was taken out of the match following a bad shot before failing to run back on defence.

These basics are deemed to be non-negotiables in Sydney and all players are across the expectations.

Oliver, who has been coming off the bench, is averaging an NBL-career low 21.4 minutes, in his nine games thus far.

In his previous two stints with Cairns between 2019 and 2021, he averaged 30.1 and 32.1.

Oliver’s 21.4 minute average in NBL25 ranks him at a lowly 44th, while he has only played 25-plus minutes once this season.

Even 33-year-old veteran Brisbane guard Casey Prather is averaging more minutes (24.1) in just six games this season.

Confirmation of Oliver’s frustration about his lack of playing time comes just two weeks after he told this masthead he is happy to come off the bench and will do whatever it takes to win.

Kings import centre Cameron Oliver isn’t happy about his minutes this season. Photo: Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images.

Kings coach Brian Goorjian confirmed players are unsettled about the distribution of minutes across the team and it not allowing players to get in a rhythm.

“I think there is frustration now within the group,” Goorjian said in his post-game press conference on Sunday.

“But I think the rotations are different than had been planned.

“I didn’t plan on Tyler (Robertson) playing that many minutes. It’s just JA (Jaylen Adams) is such a significant piece, but tonight I just thought (Alex) Toohey was exhausted and I took him out when he was fatigued.

“The other group of guys, I thought either they weren’t producing or they were exhausted.

“I thought (against New Zealand) fatigue and frustration, it all came out. I’m just speaking from the heart and I’ve got nothing to hide. It was out there for everyone to see.”

The Kings are also dealing with banged up bodies following two away trips to Perth on a Friday before a return home clash on the Sunday.

Tyler Robertson has had more minutes than planned for the Kings. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

Sydney looked lacklustre in their home opening loss to Illawarra in round 2 after a Friday game in Western Australia.

History repeated last round, with the Kings dropping Sunday’s home clash against New Zealand following a Friday night game in Perth.

A number of Sydney players were seen begging to be subbed out during Sunday’s loss.

Goorjian conceded a host of players, including Xavier Cooks and Alex Toohey were calling to be subbed out and it had an impact on the result.

“The league is too good to have fatigued bodies on the court,” he said.

The Kings have three days off to recover and fine tune before Thursday’s crucial clash against United in Melbourne.

The fatigue and uncertainty around Adams and Oliver comes as Goorjian is starring down the barrel of three straight regular-season losses for just the second time in his successful tenure in charge of the Kings.

The six-time championship-winning mentor last lost three straight regular season matches during his first season with Sydney in 2002-2003.

‘’I don’t think he's going to have an impact on our group for a while’’

Brian Goorjian provides an update on Jaylen Adams. pic.twitter.com/NtZmkhoVts

— NBL (@NBL) October 27, 2024

Goorjian will be desperate to avoid another loss, but it won’t be easy with the Kings taking on the in-form United in Melbourne on Thursday night.

The Kings will have to do it without Adams, which means fellow guards like Shaun Bruce and Tyler Robertson must step up.

Sydney have shown in patches they can compete with any team in the competition, but inconsistency is plaguing the team’s progress.

Originally published as Sydney Kings’ championship aspirations at a critical point as star imports face uncertain paths