No hunger among ‘embarrassing’ Kings: Gaze
HE didn’t say they quit, but Sydney coach Andrew Gaze might be starting to question the commitment of the Kings, judging by his comments after Saturday’s 24-point thrashing from Melbourne United.
The NBL wooden spoon favourites led by two at halftime before capitulating in the second half and crashing to their 14th loss in 19 games. Gaze is in the second year of a three-season contract but it remains to be seen if he is at the helm in 2018-19.
“We’ve got some significant issues and have had all season,” Gaze said. “We go out after halftime and go up five, then we have four or five horrific offensive possessions and go five up to seven down in the blink of an eye. We didn’t have the resilience or the discipline at both ends of the floor.
“It was embarrassing, that’s the only way to describe it. There has to be a will and desire, and when you’re in the situation we’re in, there’s a tendency to put it in the toohard basket.”
The Kings hope to have two-time NBL MVP Kevin Lisch back from injury for next Saturday’s home game against reigning champions Perth but Gaze isn’t holding his breath.
“Hopefully he’ll be back practising, but to come back against Perth on one training session would be a tough ask,” Gaze said.
“We have to consider his welfare and look at the bigger picture so I’d say it’s unlikely.”
Sydney import Jerome Randle scored a team-high 26 points in the 103-79 loss but shouldered much of the blame for his team’s performance.
“When things are not going well I look at myself,” he said. RUGBY Australia has stood down star Karmichael Hunt from all playing and training after he was arrested and charged with drug possession in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Police allegedly discovered a white powder after searching the 31-year-old Wallabies representative in a car park in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley about 12.40am.
Hunt (pictured above) was subsequently charged with two counts of drug possession and is set to face the Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 29.
A statement from Rugby Australia says they would like more detail on what Hunt is alleged to have done.
“The parties are awaiting information from the Queensland Police pertaining to the circumstances of the recent allegations before any next steps or return to rugby activities will be contemplated,” the statement says. “Karmichael Hunt is co-operating fully with the Rugby Australia Integrity Unit and Queensland Rugby Union investigation and, given that this is an ongoing police matter, there will be no further comment.”
It’s the second time in three years Hunt has been charged for drug-related offences, having been fined $2500 after pleading guilty to four counts of drug possession in 2015.
Hunt’s lawyer Adam Maggill said his client was devastated.
“He is very upset, as anyone would expect, and pretty much inconsolable,” he said. “He is sticking with his family. He’s got concerns and his manager is taking care of him.”
Hunt, a former NRL and AFL player who joined the Reds at the end of 2014, has represented Australia in six Tests.