Gaze’s Kings armed with ‘strongest squad ever’
SYDNEY coach Andrew Gaze has hailed his roster as arguably the best in NBL history.
Gaze, who as a player guided a formidable Melbourne Tigers team to two championships in the mid-1990s, said the Kings line-up was not only the best side he had worked with, but one of the finest the domestic game had seen.
The signing of former NBA champion and No.1 draft pick Andrew Bogut, combined with a roster featuring three Boomers and two NBL MVPs, has rocketed Sydney to championship favouritism.
“I think it is arguably one of the strongest squads in the history of the game,” Gaze said.
“It is an incredible line-up we’ve been able to assemble.”
The Kings may possess a potent blend of youth, experience and foreign talent, but Gaze said that didn’t mean the NBL title was heading to Sydney for the first time since 2005.
After finishing seventh last season with a powerful, albeit injury-ravaged squad, he said the Kings couldn’t rely on ability alone.
“Recruiting great talent is not a foolproof method of success,” Gaze said.
“In fact, it doesn’t guarantee anything.
“There are a lot more variables that go into it – form also plays a factor.
“But you can’t dispute the level of talent we have at our disposal, it is going to be very strong.”
Gaze said there was a level of uncertainty around the
Kings’ roster.
While he knows players like Bogut and Daniel Kickert from experience, he is yet to work with imports such as David Wear and Brian Bowen.
It’s why Gaze believes Sydney’s 11 pre-season games, starting tonight against Japan, will be key to building bonds.