By the numbers: What the Kings' historical season means

As the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 competition transitions into its post-season, there is arguably no team better positioned to claim the championship than the Sydney Kings.

After starting the season 3-5, Brian Goorjian’s troops clicked in a big way in the second half of the season.

Since the start of Round 12, the Harbour City outfit has won 17 of its past 19 games, including 11 straight.

The catalyst for that impressive run has been their play on both ends of the court, with the Kings leading the league, by a wide margin, in both offensive (129.1) and defensive (107.6) ratings since Round 12.

In fact, these second-half numbers by the Kings have seen them finish the regular season in first in both ratings (offensive - 123.2 and defensive - 108.2), for an incredible net rating (which is a team's offensive rating minus their defensive rating, highlighting how dominant they are in games) of +14.9.

That figure is more than five points higher than the second-placed South East Melbourne Phoenix (+9.6), highlighting their dominance.

To emphasise just how dominant the Kings have been, let’s wind back the clock and see how it compares to the past champions of the NBL.

Last season’s Illawarra Hawks, who claimed the club’s first-ever regular season Championship by going 20-9, had a +12.6 net rating.

The year before, Tasmania led the league with +8.6, before going on to claim their maiden title.

Now let’s take a look back at the past 14 leaders in net rating and how it translated to winning;

NBL25: Illawarra Hawks (+12.6) - went on to win the championship.
NBL24: Tasmania JackJumpers (+8.6) - went on to win the championship.
NBL23: Sydney Kings (+9.1) - went on to win the championship.
NBL22: Melbourne (+9.4) - lost in Playoffs to eventual champions Tasmania.
NBL21: Perth (+8.7) - lost Championship Series to Melbourne.
NBL20: Sydney (+7.4) - lost Championship Series to Perth.
NBL19: Perth (+6.7) - won the Championship.
NBL18: Melbourne (+6.4) - won the Championship.
NBL17: Adelaide (+3.4) - lost in Playoffs to eventual champions Perth.
NBL16: Illawarra (+6.7) - lost in Playoffs to eventual champions Perth.
NBL15: Cairns (+7.7) - lost Championship Series to New Zealand.
NBL14: Perth (+11.8) - won the Championship.
NBL13: Perth (+15.1) - lost Championship Series to New Zealand.
NBL12: Perth (+11.8) - lost Championship Series to New Zealand.

As it shows, having the competition’s best net rating doesn’t necessarily translate to silverware; it is conducive to a deep Finals run.

But the Kings’ mark of +14.9 is different to a lot of the above figures, as it is the highest full-season net rating since Perth’s +15.1 mark 13 years ago.

As well as that, only 12 teams, including this season’s Kings, have produced marks higher than 14 since the statistic started to be measured in 1984.

Upon reflecting on his side’s record season on the hardwood, forward Xavier Cooks, who was part of the last Sydney team that finished on top of the net ratings standings, outlined why he thinks it’s all clicked for his side in the back end of the season.

“The biggest similarity I see between those two sides is that both figured out their strengths and what works for us on both ends of the floor,” Cooks said.

“Defensively, [this season] we have a really good personnel to allow us to play the way we want to.

“We've got a lot of length, a lot of athleticism, and we take a lot of pride on that end, much like we did during the NBL23 championship.

“Both teams had a defensive anchor who could shut down the opponent’s best scoring option, with Justin Simon being the most notable from that NBL23 side, while this year can be any one of Makuach [Maluach], JG (Jaylin Galloway), Delly (Matthew Dellavedova) and Torrey [Craig].

“From that, our defence fuels a lot of easy buckets, getting a lot of runouts, easy possessions and fast breaks.

“That helps our offensive efficiency, as does having someone like KD (Kendric Davis), who has been having one hell of a season.

“He’s such a tough cover and makes everyone else’s lives a lot easier on that end of the floor.”

In the same vein, Cooks believes this side could potentially be more potent than the 2022-23 squad under Chase Buford.

“[This season] we can also play multiple styles, moulding our games to the opponent,” he said.

“For example, South East Melbourne likes to play a real fast pace, which we’re capable of too.

“But for other teams that like to slow it down, we’re also able to bump and grind with them.

“The versatility of our side is incredible.”

The Kings will open their post-season campaign on Wednesday, March 11 against Perth, with Game 1 of the Playoffs Series at Qudos Bank Arena from 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.