Training camp begins and the promise of a brave new world beacons for the Kings. But the elephant in the corner hasn’t been addressed and if this elephant topples off its precarious stool, the damage to basketball in Sydney could be extensive! The question still remains can Gaze coach?
Now clearly the Gaze family is basketball royalty and any criticism could lead to some considerable time spent in The Tower. I can’t imagine the wardens would be too sympathetic of my plight but regardless I’m going to say it, I don’t think he can! Well, I haven’t seen much in the last two seasons that suggests otherwise.
Believe me I would love to be proven wrong because the Kings are my team. I’ve supported them since their inception into the league. Despite the halcyon days of Brian Goorjian and his big budget teams, there has been very little to cheer about being a Kings supporter.
The last two seasons under the stewardship of Gaze have been bloody disappointing. I’m not one to cast blame but if I was, I’d proportion a fair chunk of it into Gaze’s lap. The shuffle offence with wrinkles or not just didn’t work.
The import recruitment was puzzling, with Greg Whittington who seemed at times confused about the concept of fouls in basketball. Don’t forget about Josh “I’m on holidays” Powell, adding insult to injury with his attempt at wearing down the clock by heaving the ball TO THE OPPOSITION while playing against 36ers.
Did he see the Simpsons episode when the toilet spins backwards and assume that gravity works differently in South Australia and perhaps the ball would stay in orbit for 4 or 5 seconds?
Okay, maybe season one was out of his control but last season, come on! It hurts me too much to re-live the season. It’s just if you’re going to get a mid-season import who hasn’t been at any club longer than a season, alarm bells must be going off, … somewhere? Whilst I’m not re-living the season I think a memo should be stuck on Andrew’s fridge -Lisch has to play at the two, he isn’t a one!
This new season promises a lot and despite myself, I’m slightly excited with anticipation. Randle has bought into Coach Gaze, perhaps just to spite Joey Wright. Bogut is going to bring a treasure trove of experience and influence. So, my fingers are crossed. “Come on the Kings!”
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
