KINGS DUO’S BIG PINDER DATE
THE Sydney Kings will unleash a dual big man package on Saturday to shut down the NBL’s in-form centre, Cairns star Keanu Pinder.
The Taipans are biting hard in NBL23 to sit in third position after four rounds, thanks to Pinder’s standout contribution. The reigning Most Improved Player has taken another step this season to average 16 points and 10 rebounds a game.
Pinder is the league’s premier big man based on performance, but the Kings possess the talent to limit his effectiveness. Brazilian import Tim Soares and Sydney local Jordan Hunter have started the season strongly in their own rights. Soares and Hunter are coming off impressive displays in a big win over Melbourne United, where they combined for 22 points and 11 rebounds. The pair provided the Kings with a potent presence in the paint as they crashed United on their home court. Hunter believes he is building one of the NBL’s best big man combinations with Soares.
“We want to be a good one-two punch protecting the rim,” Hunter said. “That will help the Kings win games and that is our priority.
“We get along really well, which isn’t always the case when you are in the same position as someone.
“We have built-in competition, but we are also pretty lighthearted guys who get along and just like winning basketball games.”
Hunter can’t speak more highly of Soares’ contribution this season.
The Brazilian-born centre had his critics in the pre-season, but he has responded in style.
“Tim has been amazing,” Hunter said. “He has come in, had the best attitude and been a great person to be around. He is playing hard at both ends of the floor and that isn’t always a given.
“He is hard to score on and he is great for us in offence.”
Hunter, though, remains wary of Pinder’s ability to dominate, as he showed in Cairns’ win over Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena a fortnight ago.
The Taipans shocked the Kings to win 83-78, as their star big man finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Hunter knows Sydney must limit Pinder to have any chance of beating the Taipans.
“Keanu is a great player,” he said. “He has played really well this season and he has been leading the Taipans beautifully. It has been awesome to see his growth and obviously he got the most improved player last year.
“He is playing with a lot of confidence, but hopefully he leaves it in his reserve for this weekend.”
Sydney has dropped its past two games at Qudos Bank Arena — to Cairns and the in-form Adelaide 36ers last round. Home teams have struggled this season, with away
Tonight, 8pm Live on ESPN via teams winning 18 games compared to home teams with just 11. The Kings are remarkable on the road having won 16 straight, but Hunter wants to see this success replicated at home.
“It’s been interesting in the NBL this year — it has felt like there isn’t a home court advantage across the board,” he said. “We’re not in the interest of joining that stat. We hear a lot about the road winning streak, but we want to make sure that we throw in some home wins as well.
“So, protecting that home floor and getting one back on Cairns is huge for us. The last time they beat us they really made us feel them and it got us out of our stuff a little bit, but no matter how someone is going to guard us, we’ve got to go in there and play Sydney Kings basketball.”