Legend praises Kings' Christmas courage

He's a former Boomers star that has experienced the NBA's 77-year-old Christmas Day tradition firsthand, knowing how big the showcase hoops events are in the United States.

Now NBA champion Andrew Bogut is his first season as a Sydney Kings assistant coach, will get to experience all the excitement again.

Although he's been associated with the Harbour City club as a co-owner during the past three Christmas night blockbuster, Thursday's fixture with Illawarra will mark his first direct involvement in the festive fixture.

Ahead of the all-NSW game at Qudos Bank Arena, Bogut is proud that his club are the pioneers of this new tradition in Australia.

“I think the NBL and us as a club have to try different things. No one had attempted it in Australia, so to be the first to do it shows courage and a willingness to think outside the box,” Bogut said to Fox Sports.

“We saw an opportunity to be the only team playing basketball in Australia, the only sport playing, and thought we might pick up some eyeballs by accident.

"That’s what the numbers showed. Casual basketball fans, and even AFL, NRL and cricket fans, tuned in because there was live sport on. Some people would rather watch that than another eight hours of Christmas carols.”

Thursday's fixture between Sydney and Illawarra tips off at 8.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN and Channel 10.

Read the full story here >> ‘Made it ours’: Star’s big statement on copycat 77-year NBA tradition as bitter rivalry renews