Aussie NBA royalty inspiring the Kings
SAGE advice from Australian basketball royalty in Andrew Bogut and Luc Longley has the Sydney Kings locked in and ready to create championship history.
The Kings can secure the franchise’s first NBL title in 17 years on Wednesday night if they beat the Tasmania JackJumpers in Sydney.
Sydney is strongly favoured to win, but they’re taking nothing for granted
thanks to wise messages from their two ex-NBA championship-winning club officials.
Bogut - a co-owner and club legend - has been quick to remind the Kings that closing out a championship is one of the hardest things to do in basketball. The big man is qualified to speak having played in three NBA Finals, winning one with the Golden State Warriors in 2015.
Then there is the calming influence of Longley, who as the club’s special advisor has
told the young Kings to savour the big moment because they don’t come around too often.
The former Bulls big man was blessed to win three championships at Chicago alongside Michael Jordan, but he also knows sport’s sliding doors could have easily taken his brilliant career down a different path.
Kings swingman Xavier Cooks reserved particular praise for Longley, who was courtside in Tasmania to see
the Kings comeback from a 10-point deficit to beat the JackJumpers in Game 2.
“Luc has been really big on us enjoying the moment,” Cooks said.
“You’re not going to be in a championship game too many times, so don’t let the moment get too big.
“He said enjoy and savour it and don’t be scared to make mistakes and to just go out there and have fun.”
Kings guard Shaun Bruce has noticed Longley take on a
bigger role within the team in recent weeks.
“Luc has been more hands on in this last month of the season,” Bruce said.
“Every time he speaks to us, guys are just locked in. He just seems to drop wisdom on us every time he speaks, so it has been awesome to have him around.”
The proven experience of Bogut and Longley has instilled an unwavering belief in the Kings squad, according to Cooks.