Sydney Set for Starting Five Shake-Up?

The Sydney Kings have almost gone against the grain in starting their entire trio of imports for the bulk of the NBL23 campaign – but two-time NBL champion Adam Gibson believes one should be dropped to the bench for the crucial run-in to the end of the Championship Series.

Tim Soares, Derrick Walton Jr and Justin Simon have formed a lethal triumvirate for the Kings this season and have been supported in the starting line-up by local talents Xavier Cooks and DJ Vasiljevic for most of the season.

In comparison, Melbourne United often brought both Marcus Lee and Xavier Rathan-Mayes off the bench across the campaign, both Brisbane’s Tyler Johnson and New Zealand’s Barry Brown Jr were Sixth Man of the Year nominees – with Brown Jr taking out the award – while Adelaide elected not to have a third import for a large chunk of the season.

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Gibson believes Soares should be dropped to the bench for Jordan Hunter to come into the starting line-up.

“Jordi Hunter is a starter in this league, no question about it. He had that season but then he had that injury and didn’t play the whole of last year, so I understand why he’s not,” Gibson said on NBL Today.

“His numbers have shown what he brings to the team – so much more than Soares. The thing with Soares is he opens the floor up and he’s a knockdown three-point shooter, so whether he’s making shots or not you still have to respect him and you still have to guard him out there.

“That’s the only difference – he does still stretch the floor even though he hasn’t had a great series. He’s a target and a threat out there.

“Jordi Hunter is balling out, and I think it would be a great change that would give them a bit of spark and a bit of life in Game 3.”

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Whether it is Hunter or Soares who starts, the pair will once again join forces and attempt to keep Breakers star Dererk Pardon quiet – by his lofty standards – for the third straight game.

In the Breakers’ Game 1 win Pardon had just six points and one rebound, and in their Game 2 loss he had six points and 10 rebounds.

It was in Game 2 where Hunter really threw his name into contention for a starting role, largely for his role in keeping the Breakers’ big man quiet.

“For someone that’s played so well throughout the season, he won’t have three average games in a row by his standards,” Gibson said of Pardon.

“I seen him coming in with more energy, more effort and blocking more shots.

“Sydney hasn’t really got into the paint when he’s been on the floor, but I’d definitely be looking to him to step up.

“He has been quiet, and if they’re going to win a championship he has to produce bigger numbers.”

Game 3 of the NBL23 Championship Series tips off tonight – Friday, March 10 – at 7:30pm AEDT at Qudos Bank Arena.

With a stadium sell-out expected, you can still catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies.