Kell speaks out on fiery exchange

The competitive spirit is alive and well within the camp of the Adelaide 36ers, and import guard Trey Kell says the fiery nature of the side indicates a desire to improve.

Kell and Next Star Trentyn Flowers came together in a heated exchange during a training session this week, as the club wrangles with a disappointing 0-2 start.

Despite the tense nature of training, Kell says there are no problems within the camp and interactions like that are a part of playing professional sport.

“The team’s 0-2 and we know it’s a big road trip coming up,” Kell said. “I just think some of the fire and anticipation came out at the end. We dapped it up after and we’re all good.

“You just want to make sure it doesn’t get too personal or too physical but at the same time the coaches enjoy the competitive spirit – and that’s all it was.

“Sometimes it can get a little heated and to the outside look a little bit extreme, but anyone that’s played any competitive sport knows that can happen from time to time.

“It just shows you’re not happy with where you’re at – I don’t think anyone is. We could use the excuse of we’re missing an import or we’ve had injuries throughout the pre-season, but at the end of the day we’re 0-2 and both of those games, we could have won.”

Following the losses to Brisbane and Melbourne, Adelaide now faces one of the toughest road trips in the NBL.

First they head west to face the Perth at RAC Arena on Friday night, then they have to cross the country to face reigning champions Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday.

The Wildcats split their pair of Round 1 games with one win and one loss, while the Kings cruised to victory against Illawarra in their sole appearance of the season so far.

Kell says his team is approaching the pair of fixtures like any other games.

“Everyone says it’s a tough road trip, but it’s just two games to me. I don’t look at is as anything different,” he said.

“They’re two really talented teams but I think every team in the league is talented, regardless of where you go. It’s always tough to go on the road but I think we’re up for the challenge.”

Adelaide’s clash with Perth tips off on Friday night at 9:30pm AEDT, while the game against Sydney begins on Sunday at 4pm AEDT.