Sydney Kings fall short after taking the fight to NBA's Los Angeles Clippers in pre-season showdown
THE Sydney Kings put up a serious fight against the Los Angeles Clippers in their pre-season showdown, with livewire guard Jerome Randle nearly sparking a remarkable upset.
BEFORE tip-off, the Los Angeles Clippers knew little about the Sydney Kings except for former NBA champion Andrew Bogut and guard Jerome Randle.
Post-match, the Clippers had nothing but admiration after likening their Australian rivals’ style to NBA champions the Golden State Warriors.
Despite losing 110-91, the Kings put the NBL on the map with a courageous performance, highlighted by their skill level and refusal to give in.
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Clippers coach Doc Rivers was highly impressed with the Kings, praising their ball movement and toughness.
“That would be a great team to play a couple more times, because they’ll get you ready for the Golden States of the world the way they play,” Rivers said.
“I just like how they play.
“Andrew (Gaze) does a great job. I love their movement and how they play together. It is a fun team to watch play.
“I don’t know if you want to play against them every night, because they are pretty good.
“But I love playing Australians, just because of the way they play.
“They also have this toughness about them and I like that against our guys.
“They run some sets that you don’t see and I just thought for our defence it was really good to try and adjust to all the movement and shooters.
“I told my guys before the game, you may have a talent advantage but they have continuity and they’ve played together.”
Skipper Kevin Lisch (16 points), Daniel Kickert (13) and Brad Newley (eight) all impressed for the Kings, but American guard Randle was particularly outstanding with a game-high 25 points.
The Chicago-born guard, who played five games for the Clippers in the 2013 Summer League, delivered a classy performance against his former franchise.
Randle showed off his silky skills to win over plenty of admirers from the pro-Clippers crowd.
One American fan even yelled out: “Put Randle back in the game” during the fourth quarter.
Randle, who went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft and has played Summer League with Orlando, Washington, Milwaukee, Memphis and Dallas, said he was on a mission to impress on home soil.
“The thing with me and everything that went on with the NBA, anytime I get an opportunity to play in the US I try and put on a show,” Randle said.
“I felt in my heart that we could win this game but man we can learn so much from this game leading into the NBL.
“I’m so proud of my guys with the effort and heart they put into this game.”
Randle had a running battle with Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, who he grew up with in Chicago.
“He is like a brother to me,” he said.
“We’ve known each other since we were five years old.
“I knew he was going to come out and try and get at me.
“But I’ve got so much love and respect for him. We go way back and everything he has been through to get to where he is now you just have to take your hat off to him.
“I think he is the best defender in the NBA — all my love goes to Pat man.”
Beverley also spoke highly of Randle, declaring the Kings guard still had what it takes to play in the NBA.
“To me he’s one of the shiftiest guards in the world,” Beverley said.
“Put him up there with Kyrie (Irving) when it comes to handling the ball and moves like that. So, I’m just happy that he’s on a high-level team like the Sydney Kings and he got MVP last year and was able to display his skills.”
In the end, the Clippers’ NBA conditioned size and speed proved too much as they claimed a 19-point win.
The Kings got within one point on two occasions but just couldn’t go with the Clippers for four quarters.
Sydney host Adelaide in their NBL season opener on October 13.
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