New team, same dream. With every passing season, the massive turnover of players at the Sydney Kings continues; each season’s playing roster barely recognisable compared to the last.
It’s been a familiar pattern for the Sydney Kings, now in their fifth season since readmission to the NBL, with just one finals appearance in that time.
The pattern’s no more clear than in their imports. Since readmission, no import has come back for a second season, with the majority failing to complete even one.
But a well-credentialled import has fallen into the Kings’ lap this season – 31-year-old Josh Childress, formerly of the NBA and with a stint in Greece under his belt.
Two metres tall, with an afro second only in size to rugby’s Tatafu Polota-Nau, he’s a physical standout, and the Kings have high hopes that he’ll be an on-court standout.
It hasn’t been plain sailing. A dirty night in Perth against the Wildcats saw Childress deliver a big hit on the Wildcats’ Jesse Wagstaff, resulting in Childress being ejected from the game and given a suspension.
But on Sunday afternoon Childress was back and the Kings were home at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, taking on the Adelaide 36ers.
It was a high-scoring shootout early. Kendrick Perry, the Kings’ other import, put on a show early to put on a slam-dunk but inexplicably missed a couple of others.
Helped on their way by a technical foul, and seemingly shooting at will, the 36ers got on top in the second quarter. But there was no giving up by the crowd, not if the courtside announcer was going to have anything to do with it.
“We need stops and you’ve got them,” he implored the crowd. “Dee-fence!” was the response from the crowd.
As the 36ers stepped to the free-throw line, “Make some noise” was the message from both the announcer and on the scoreboard. And when the free throw was missed, came the encouraging “You did that!”
The 36ers were threatening to run away late in the second quarter. But two three-pointers by Ben Madgen helped the Kings to score the last eight points of the quarter to level the scores at half time.
Within a minute of the third quarter starting, the 8-0 run had become an 18-0 run as the Kings set up a match-winning lead. Magden landed two more three-pointers, but as the quarter progressed, Childress exerted his authority with some spectacular shots from all over the court, and one of the best rejections you’ll ever see to keep the 36ers from scoring.
By the end of the third quarter, Childress had already got close to 30 points and into doubles in rebounds. The triple-double was within reach, and although he didn’t quite get there, it was a dominant performance.
The crowd were lapping it up. “Go Kings Go” blared out the PA system, the crowd roaring their approval of every piece of Childress magic. Time-outs were called and there was plenty to entertain. Cheer girls danced routines. The cheesy kiss-cam saw couples pucker up. The lion mascot shot merchandise into the crowd, and movie tickets were given away.
But the favourite crowd interaction during the time-outs was the ‘nudie bongo cam’, the sounds of beating coming on as the crowd performed their air-drums. All great fun and keeping the fans entertained as the coaches laid down the law to their charges.
By mid-way through the final quarter, the Kings looked to have a match-winning lead. A late surge by the 36ers caused a few nervous moments, especially as the Kings had blown a big lead against Cairns last week. But this time the Kings had enough of a buffer to hang on for a seven-point win.
Childress’ afternoon finished with a return of 36 points and 19 rebounds. An easy MVP performance, and one that sends a message to the NBL that the Kings have an import of a quality rarely seen on these shores.
It had been an enjoyable afternoon, and an important win for the Kings. But sadly, too few people knew. Even with a black curtain cordoning off seats at the end, barely a third of the 12,000 remaining seats were occupied.
A bigger crowd will be expected at the KingDome next Sunday. The Kings have a re-match against Perth Wildcats, last year’s champions. Jesse Wagstaff, not blameless in the incident in Perth, can expect a hostile reception.
The Kings crowd have taken a liking to Josh Childress. And as long as he dominates games as he did against the 36ers, the liking can only grow stronger.
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