Goorjian: ‘The fun starts now’

A star-studded roster combined with the addition of legendary coach Brian Goorjian has kept the Sydney Kings at the front of everyone’s minds this season, and while they have taken a while to find their stride, the team is now humming after three straight wins. 

As the season ramps up in a busy holiday period, and with Finals positioning coming into the picture, Goorjian is well and truly pleased with the amount of progress his side has shown and their 11-7 record, good for third on the ladder.  

“We’ve been in a box grinding out each day, and not talking about winning or losing, just trying to get better at process,” Goorjian said after Sydney's Round 13 win in New Zealand. 

“It’s a brand new team, it’s a brand new coaching staff, it’s a brand new ownership. I’m coaching no differently, I just think we’re growing over the course of the time that we’re together, and that we’ve had an opportunity now over the last three weeks to get some training in.

“We have positioned ourselves nicely.”

The Kings showed grit in their win over the Breakers, ending the game on a 16-3 run to snatch a 92-84 victory. 

“There was a lot of hugging and a lot of excitement for everybody in there [locker room], and tonight our group had a lot of hugs and tired bodies,” Goorjian said. 

“We haven’t had moments like this all season, so all these games now I keep saying are going to be fun, they’re going to be exciting. We’re playing for something, let’s enjoy this ride.

“These last two games have been a lot of fun and has given us some enjoyment that we haven’t had all year.

“I like the way we’re progressing, my whole mindset is the day to day, and keep the noise outside.”

The Kings host their arch rivals, the Illawarra Hawks, on Christmas at 8:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN and Channel 10.