Can we "trust" the Sydney Kings?

This weekend’s Freeway Series clash between Illawarra and Sydney looms as one of the most important meetings between the New South Wales state rivals since the NBL22 Playoff Series between the two sides.

As we approach the penultimate round of the NBL24 regular season the Hawks sit fourth, and the Kings sit fifth. Both still hold their Finals destiny in their own hands, but with Brisbane and New Zealand nipping at their heels – and Cairns, Adelaide and South East Melbourne still lurking as mathematical Finals chances – any slip-up in these final two rounds could prove disastrous.

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The Hawks will already have played New Zealand in Round 19 prior to their meeting with the Kings, so they could either have moved one win clear of their rivals with one fewer game played on the season, or their spot on the ladder will be within striking distance of the reigning champions.

Hawks legend and former NBL champion Damon Lowery says he’s lost all trust in the Kings for the remainder of the season.

“[I have] zero trust in the Sydney Kings, those moody Kings who only play when they feel like it,” Lowery said on NBL Now.

“Yes, they might be – man for man – the most talented team in the league, but their collective attitude ain’t no good. The basketball gods do not like that attitude, you can’t just roll up, flick a switch, decide to play today and take next week off.

“I don’t have any trust in them, and it’s the Freeway Series against the Illawarra Hawks, and nothing would please the Hawks faithful – and former Hawks players – more than if the Hawks could put a nail in their season and end it for them.”

Despite his lack of trust in the reigning champions, Lowery believes the Kings will still contest Finals basketball due to their superior percentage when compared to those teams competing around them.

Sydney’s percentage of 101.07 is the fourth best in the competition, and is almost five full percentage points clear of sixth-placed Brisbane.

Lowery says while the Kings will likely secure a top six spot following Round 20, he doesn’t back the side to make its presence felt in the post-season.

“They’ll make the six, but they’re limping in, they’re definitely limping in and it’s worrying signs for the Kings,” he continued.

“They’re going to make it because after they lose to the Illawarra Hawks they’re going to go and beat the South East Melbourne Phoenix in their last game, so they’re going to make it, but then they’re probably going to be one and done.

“I’ve never ever advocated for anyone to lose their job as I sit here in the trenches in the real world, but if Mahmoud Abdelfattah is not retained, whoever the next coach is for the Sydney Kings, that man or woman should demand a full investigation and find out who on that team quit, who on that roster has quit on this dude, and I want them out.

“I don’t want any quitters playing for the next coach if this was to happen.

“You don’t get to pick who you play for, you’re a professional basketball player, you play this game because you love this game and you’re getting compensated very nicely to do it, that would be the first thing I would do, I would launch a royal commission into each player’s character and heart moving forward.”

Sunday’s clash between the Hawks and Kings will tip off at 4pm AEDT, live and free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, 10 Peach and 10 Play.