Defending Champs “Just Scratching the Surface”, Declares Buford

In an ominous sign for the rest of the league, Sydney Kings coach Chase Buford has declared his team haven’t shown their full potential yet despite sitting on top of the ladder.

“I feel like we’re really just scratching the surface with this group,” Buford said.

“I think the balance on this team is really great. It’s just a fun team to be a part of.”

The Kings defeated the New Zealand Breakers on Sunday 81-77, overtaking the Breakers and jumping to first on the ladder.

Derrick Walton Jr helped Sydney get over the line with nine points, five assists and four rebounds, with Buford looking beyond his inefficient shooting stats.

“Derrick (Walton Jr) was 1-of-11 tonight but I thought he did a lot of really good things,” Buford said.

“I feel like he’s got so much more that he’s gonna give as the season goes on, just shows he can score and can do a lot of things, and provide such a punch from him position.

“He’s putting in a tonne of work every day, form shooting all that stuff.”

Walton Jr is looking forward to improving his performance after the FIBA international break.

“Next game, I’m gonna be better. We can definitely be better, we can be better as a unit and myself,” he said.

Buford praised his Sydney’s culture and says he has multiple players eager to get on the court but are also happy to cheer on their teammates from the sidelines and wait for their time.

“I’ve got a lot of tough decisions to make every night on who plays how many minutes, obviously, a lot of guys wishing they were playing more, but I think the collective sprit of this group, they’re cheering for each other, they’re playing for each other, and they don’t really care, obviously want to be in the game but they’re happy for their teammates when they’re in there doing well,” he said.