Goorjian: 'Favourite call absurd'

After split results in round 10, Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian is talking down the lofty expectations on his star-studded roster.

The Kings were billed as having one of the best rosters in the league's history leading into NBL25, but have struggled at times, currently sitting fourth with an 8-7 record. 

Following their loss to United, Goorjian was questioned on whether there were similarities between the Kings' current team and that of the South East Melbourne team he coached to a championship in 1992

"I love my group, but to pick us as outright favourite is absurd. It’s going to be an absolute fight for us to make the six," he said.

"I honestly feel like the call on the Kings (as favourite) ... (it's) almost felt like a setup.

"Walking into this and I look at the teams around and (everyone) saying we’re outright favourite.

"I love my team, but I look at it and I’m the national coach. I look over at that bench (Melbourne United) and go ‘that guy, that guy, that guy, World Cup, Olympics, World Cup, Olympics."

Sydney fans have seen the best and worst of their team this season, with their best being one of the main reasons why everyone believes they’re a contender, and their worst a tough watch.

“I’m excited about my team,” Goorjian continued. "I do think that I haven’t seen anybody we can’t beat."

Goorjian was big on using the FIBA Break as a tool to really catapult his team forward in the back half of the season.

When asked what the biggest takeaway from the break was, he kept it simple and said it comes down to his style of coaching.
"It’s hard coaching ... it’s making a point about when there’s a mistake ... to make them work hard in each possession defensively and offensively,” he said.

"I’ve got a young group that I like. Guys like X (Xavier Cooks) and (Shaun) Bruce were by my side during this, and they were both here during the FIBA window.

"You need that support where I’ve gone over the last two weeks."