Unbalanced and not in sync: Why the Sydney Kings were destined not to lift the trophy in NBL25
They were hailed championship favourites before a ball was even bounced in NBL25, but a combination of personnel and issues behind the scenes killed the Kings’ trophy hopes.
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Experts hailed the Sydney Kings championship favourites before a ball was even bounced in NBL25, but a combination of personnel and issues behind the scenes meant the Kings were never equipped to lift the trophy.
Expectations are always high in the Harbour City, but it went to another level after the signing of coaching GOAT Brian Goorjian.
‘Goorj’ is the Kings’ most successful coach – with three championships – so his arrival sparked significant hope of a return to the club’s glory years.
Sadly for the purple and gold faithful, the hype didn’t match the reality of the unbalanced roster Sydney had assembled.
IMBALANCED ROSTER
The Kings lacked a legitimate big man following Jordi Hunter’s departure to the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The side’s guard depth also emerged as a major concern. This problem only grew as the season unfolded following underwhelming campaigns from veteran Shaun Bruce and key off-season recruits Izayah Le’afa and Bul Kuol.
Kuol was carrying a knee injury all season that prevented him from training, but he also failed to fire as a marquee signing on the offensive end.
It left the Kings with too many wings and not enough playmaking guards to support star starter Jaylen Adams.
This showed up big time in Sydney’s season-ending loss to Adelaide on Thursday night.
The 36ers dominated when it mattered down the stretch on the back of a potent scoring backcourt in Kendric Davis and Dejan Vasiljevic.
Adelaide also had the calming veteran presence of Jason Cadee coming off the bench. In comparison, the Kings were forced to rely on Adams to make a play because other players couldn’t create.
Goorjian admitted this problem as a key to the Kings’ loss to Adelaide.
“It became very apparent coming down the back stretch that we’re just under the bar against the top teams,” Goorjian said.
“We had a lot of guys playing their arse off, but when the ball got swung or moved, they didn’t have the ability to make a play.
“So the ball kept coming back to JA (Adams) in the middle of the floor to do something at the end of the shot clock.”
Sydney had a chance to secure more guard depth via American import Lamonte Turner, but ripped up his contract just hours before his first game after he failed a team medical.
It’s understood the Kings were warned Turner was injury-prone and there is a belief the process for a third import should have started sooner.
OLIVER’S FIT
Import big man Cam Oliver was also a problem for Sydney all season.
As reported by Code Sports throughout NBL25, Oliver’s energy and effort was constantly questioned.
Goorjian made his expectations for the import big man publicly clear: if you don’t complete the basics like running back on defence and boxing out then you are going to be benched.
It’s understood Oliver’s attitude caused issues internally, leading to some officials questioning his future at the club.
There is a belief the Kings should have cut the former Taipan mid-season, but a risk adverse view was taken.
To Oliver’s credit he improved at the back end of the season, but it’s understood he is unlikely to return to the Kings in NBL26.
STARS SIDELINED
Injuries also played a major role for Sydney.
In November, the Kings lost gifted young forward Jaylin Galloway to a season-ending shoulder injury.
At the start of January, backup big man Keli Leaupepe was also ruled out with a hamstring injury and didn’t return.
These key injuries forced the Kings to go deeper into the club’s depth and the bench wasn’t up to it, both from an athleticism and experience standpoint.
Sydney captain Xavier Cooks testing positive to an illicit substance, which ruled him out of the team’s final two games of the season, unquestionably had a monumental impact.
Cooks is the Kings’ best player, so his absence was telling as he left his teammates in a hole trying to save the season against a star Sixers side.
THE FUTURE
So who is reasonable for another subpar campaign?
Everyone within the Kings’ franchise must take on some responsibility for exiting in the first week of the finals for a second straight season.
It’s understood the front office and coaching staff weren’t in sync throughout NBL25 on a host of key team related decisions.
The reality is the Kings club as a collective must be on the same page, especially when it comes to the roster.
For Sydney to compete with the top teams they will need to make difficult decisions moving forward, even on some contracted players.
Goorjian made a plea in his post-game press conference after the Sixers loss for three imports next season.
“Moving forward if you want to win a championship, I think we’ve got some really nice young pieces and the glass is half full, but we’re gonna need three imports and two marquee players to beat a Perth or United coming down the back stretch,” he said.
Code Sports understands Adams could join Oliver and leave the club.
Goorjian is in year one of a three-year deal and is expected to return next season, but it’s understood he will face some internal pressure and questions from management following a disappointing season.
An intriguing and franchise-defining off-season looms in the Harbour City for officials to nail the right formula for the Kings to regain their throne at the top of the NBL.
Originally published as Unbalanced and not in sync: Why the Sydney Kings were destined not to lift the trophy in NBL25
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