‘Unpredictable’: One thing Luc Longley wants to see from Sydney Kings in quest for three-peat

Luc Longley has put the heat on his Sydney Kings in their quest for a rare NBL three-peat, as he unveiled a new basketball venture.

Australian basketball legend Luc Longley says the Sydney Kings can claim a rare NBL championship three-peat but only if they “learn how to play defence”.

The Kings are aiming to become just the third team in NBL history to win three titles in a row and would join the 2003-05 Kings and 2011-13 New Zealand Breakers if they can go all the way this season.

As a co-owner of the Kings, Longley is seriously invested in their form on the court and acknowledges they have plenty to work on if they want to lift the trophy come season’s end.

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Sydney sit fourth on the ladder with an 8-6 win-loss record, behind Melbourne United, the Tasmania JackJumpers and South East Melbourne Phoenix, who beat the Kings on the weekend.

“As an owner of the Kings, I’m intrigued every time we step on the floor because we’re such a mercurial team,” Longley told news.com.au.

“We never quite know what we’re going to get and I hope that changes.”

The Kings boast strong depth but have looked out of sorts defensively in recent weeks and appear to be missing Xavier Cooks and still finding their identity under new coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah.

So can the Kings get it together and snag a three-peat?

“I don’t know if we can,” Longley said.

“We will have to learn how to play defence if we’re going to go all the way. We’ve been a good defensive unit the last couple of years when we’ve won it and everyone knows defence wins championships.

The Sydney Kings are aiming to claim just the third three-peat in NBL history. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

“Right now, we’re struggling to find our defensive identity, but we’re still playing some moments of really good basketball — flowing, sharing, natural, instinctive, fun to watch basketball — and then when teams get grimy and dour with us we haven’t quite solved that part yet.

“I think we can win it. I love the way we go about it most of the time. We’re just a bit unpredictable at the moment. This is a new coach with 50 per cent new guys.

“We’re still growing in personality as a team but we’re developing fast. To summarise, yes we can win it all.”

Melbourne United have been the clear benchmark so far this NBL season and it would be a surprise if the Grand Final series isn’t between United and the Kings.

“It’ll be a clash of styles if that’s the case,” Longley said.

Australia’s Boomers fell short of the quarterfinals at the FIBA World Cup and may need to tinker with their squad to have a chance of winning another medal at next year’s Olympics.

Longley is hopeful Kings duo Jonah Bolden and Jordan Hunter can continue their strong form to put their hand up for selection in Brian Goorjian’s squad.

“Well I’m hoping that Jonah Bolden and Jordy Hunter play really good basketball in the back half of the season and introduce themselves to that equation,” he said.

“They’ve both got a lot to offer. Obviously they need some size and some shooting. Jonah brings both of those and Jordy’s not shooting too bad himself.”

Luc Longley still has faith in the Kings. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Kings claimed a bizarre victory over the Cairns Taipans last week, with both teams playing the entire second half without a shot clock — resulting in the Kings exploiting the lack of a 24-second violation.

“It’s not ideal but I love the way people problem solved it, got around it and we still got to play the game, we still got to be entertained,” Longley said.

“I just loved the fact everyone just kind of rolled with it. We still had an entertaining game.

“Yes, there’ll be questions asked about if it was the right thing to do or did we run the shot clock too long — all those things. But that gets people talking about it. I’ve never seen it before and I’ve been involved in basketball my whole life.”

Longley’s ‘wild’ new venture

Once a recluse after his NBA career fizzled out with injuries, Longley is embracing the love from the Australian public and the nostalgia for the 90s basketball.

The 54-year-old featured on the Australian Story program after he was left out of the Last Dance documentary on Netflix.

Longley, who won three NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls playing alongside Michael Jordan, has teamed up with Hahn for a new half court, half pub experience that will take place in Sydney across three weekends in February.

“It’s open for everyone,” he said.

“Bring your mates, have some fun. It’s not an organised league. One of the things we need in Australian basketball is social games. It’s a way to connect people and have a bit of fun.

“It’s bringing people together, it’s social. One beer isn’t going to hurt you.

“I used to love to have a beer after a game and chat to my teammates but nowadays it tends to be sitting and watching and chatting to my mates.

Beer and basketball, a match made in heaven. Photo: Supplied.

Luc Longley wants people to get out and shoot some hoops. Photo: Supplied.

“My body’s too broken to play. Even my wrist is shattered from basketball so I don’t shoot much anymore. I was thinking half court half pub might suit me — I don’t have to move very far and pick up a beer afterwards. It might be designed for me.”

The beer and basketball venture coincides with Longley’s recent move to become a pub owner in the West Australian town of Denmark, where he spends much of his time.

“We’re going to have a seven-foot tap, we’ll have basketball on the TV, with any luck we’ll get Hahn to do a half court half pub at my pub.”

Longley will be on hand at all events to meet players and fans, with his three NBA championship rings on display.

“There’s a whole resurgence in interest in old school basketball. To get back out amongst it has been a real adventure for me. It’s wild to be back involved in commercial basketball.”

Fans can register their interest in the half court half pub event at Sydney’s Entertainment quarter at hahnpromotion.com.au/half-court-half-pub.

Originally published as ‘Unpredictable’: One thing Luc Longley wants to see from Sydney Kings in quest for three-peat