NBL23: Sydney Kings fire back at Perth Wildcats boss Craig Hutchison after he calls out the champions

After hearing the Sydney Kings mock his team’s failings, Perth Wildcats owner Craig Hutchison came out swinging on Friday. But Paul Smith was up for the fight.

Reigning NBL champions the Sydney Kings have been accused of being ugly winners on the eve of the new season sparking a war of words between two heavyweight club owners.

Sydney owner and chairman Paul Smith and Kings legend Shane Heal have been caught on film mocking and laughing at the Wildcats’ failure to make the playoffs for the first time 35 years.

The footage, taken from last season and revealed on Friday in a behind-the-scenes documentary airing on ESPN and Kayo, has enraged new Wildcats owner, media magnate Craig Hutchison.

Hutchison went on his SEN Radio network on Friday to make his feelings about the Kings clear.

“The Sydney Kings, well done. They were the best team last year and they did everything other than be humble in the end,” said Hutchison, the CEO of the Sports Entertainment Group.

“They won everything other than the humble stakes. There’s a way to win – that’s one way to do it.

“It does motivate us as an organisation to be our best self and we think we have a team that can match it with anyone this summer.”

Perth Wildcats owner Craig Hutchison. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

In the documentary, Smith couldn’t contain his enjoyment when discussing the demise of the Wildcats last season starting.

“I love it. I love it. I enjoy every minute of it. I’m sorry, but I enjoyed every minute of it,”

Heal also gleefully enjoyed Perth’s pain: “Call me a sadist but I actually loved seeing the Wildcats spiral out of the playoffs.”

Smith doubled down when told of Hutchinson’s comments stating that the Wildcats should be the last team to question anyone’s humility.

“They (Perth) have shoved 35 years of (success) down the throats of anyone that could or had to listen to them over the last 35 years, so don’t talk to me about humility,” Smith said.

“Please, please, stop.

“The fact they (Perth) learnt about humility under the ownership of SEN, fine Hutchy is in a position to lecture.

“But don’t speak on history on behalf of the organisation, please.

“Don’t do that to us.”

Hutchison went on to say that he believes basketball fans in the eastern states are just jealous of Perth’s sustained success in the NBL, which lasted a record 35 campaigns until it ended last season.

“People in the east enjoy seeing the team not win because we’ve won for a very long time,” he said.

“There’s a bit of lethargy among the eastern seaboard states around the success of the Wildcats, but it’s all the more reason why we want to win and win well.”

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Shane Heal also gleefully enjoyed Perth’s pain. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

It comes as former Hawks fan favourite Justin Simon is expecting a frosty reception when he returns to Wollongong on Saturday as a Sydney King.

The stage is set for a physical and fast-paced season-opener, four months after the Kings swept the Hawks in a semi-final series.

The blockbuster clash will take on extra meaning for Simon, who won the NBL’s best defensive player when he was at Illawarra in the 2020-21 season.

The California shooting guard is now a passionate King and he is prepared to cop the inevitable sprays from the Illawarra faithful about his move to the enemy from the Harbour City.

“Some people will cheer me, and others will boo and go against me, but I’m prepared for that,” Simon said ahead of Sydney’s season-opener against the Hawks in Wollongong from 8pm (AEST).

“I’m expecting a whole bunch of mixed emotions.

“I had a lot of great times in that building in Wollongong. The Hawks were my first NBL club, so this being my first game against them in a different uniform is going to be special.

“I’m really looking forward to playing against my old friends.

“I spoke to a couple of the Hawks guys up at the pre-season Blitz in Darwin.

“Deng Deng and I are really close and really always find a way to connect, but for the most part I’ve kept it strictly business.”

New Sydney King Justin Simon during his Illawarra Hawks days. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Simon did raise eyebrows in the pre-season when he declared joining the Kings meant he was on the “better side of NSW.”

“That is going to be rough when they (Hawks fans) hear the news about my Kings signing,” Simon joked.

“Playing in front of them for the first time is going to be something different and I will feel like a villain for sure.”

Simon is also personally motivated to prove a point in his return to the NBL following an overseas stint in Germany.

Last season he signed with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in Germany’s top-level Bundesliga and while again winning the league’s defensive player of the year award, demonstrated his offensive abilities in Europe’s Champions League.

He took the club to third place in the Champions League and scored 27 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals against Hapoel Holon, becoming the first player in league history to score more than 25 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. He also set a new record for points in a Champion’s League final four game.

Simon believes Sydney is perfectly placed for a strong season based off the bonds they’ve built over the off-season.

The Kings’ relationships were strengthened during the pre-season Blitz in Darwin when the players engaged in off-court activities like putt putt golf and camping together as a team.

Simons says this time has helped the Kings become a closer unit.

“This is the first time in my career where those relationships have been instinct,” he said.

“We’ve clicked as a unit and we’re just going to continue to build our energy on both ends of the floor.”