Adams backs Kings NBL24 build

Sydney’s new-look side under Mahmoud Abdelfattah is rolling early in NBL24. The Kings currently sit 2-1 with star forward DJ Hogg still yet to come back into the lineup.

While they lost their opening game of Round 2 to the JackJumpers, the Kings rebounded on Sunday to overcome a spirited Adelaide side in a high-scoring victory.

While the departure of key championship figures Chase Buford, Xavier Cooks, DJ Vasiljevic and last season’s import trio has been well-documented heading into the new season, former NBL MVP Jaylen Adams says the slow build of the new Kings is continuing to plan.

“We’re going to take it one day at a time,” Adams said following the win over Adelaide. “It’s a new group, none of us have played together so it’s going to take some time.

“I think we’re going in the right direction and we’ve just got to keep sticking to the principles coach preaches every day, keep growing and getting better as a team.

“We stick together, I think it’s just a good group of people just as much as basketball players. Nobody hangs their head, everybody’s there for one another and I think if we can tie that into what we’re doing defensively in just being there to support the next man then we’ll be a lot better.

“I think the upside is there and I’m looking forward to seeing it full throttle.”

“We’re not going to be the champs today,” head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah echoed. “We’re not going to be the best team in the league today.

“We just have to be better than our opponent, and today we just made a few more plays.

“Adelaide plays hard, they don’t quit. I know their record and where they’re at, but that doesn’t show how talented they are.”

Sydney hit the lead early courtesy of 12 points from Kouat Noi in the first quarter, and then the combination of Adams, Denzel Valentine and Jordan Hunter each prevented the 36ers from mounting a serious run for the remainder of the game.

Trey Kell III and Jacob Wiley both impressed for Adelaide, however the Kings proved too strong in what became an offensive shootout.

Five players scored in double digits in the win, and Abdelfattah has praised the spread of offensive threats on his side.

“Our guys played well for the 40 minutes. There were some bumps in the road but those are things that are going to happen, it’s a game of runs,” he said.

“Obviously ‘J’ (Adams) had four fouls, Jordi (Hunter) had four fouls, ‘Zel’ (Valentine) had four fouls, and there was a stretch where they were all very productive and didn’t let that affect their play.

“’J’ hit two big threes in the pick and roll that separated us, ‘Zel’ hit a big catch and shoot three that got us going, and Jordi’s just rolling and putting pressure on the rim the entire game.

“The guys just want to make the extra pass, and it just happens to be different guys in the corners, different guys on the wings, and guys sharing the ball.

“’J’, ‘Zel’, ‘Brucey’ (Shaun Bruce) all shared the ball. 27 assists and 13 turnovers, I think you’ll put yourself in a position to win a lot of games.”

Sydney once again faces a double-header in Round 3. The Kings travel to the Bullets on Friday night before retuning home to host the Wildcats on Sunday afternoon.