Kings star: ‘We haven’t even scratched the surface’

Sydney Kings superstar Kendric Davis has never been short of confidence. His unrelenting will to win is what makes him so dangerous.

But even the Kings’ marquee man admits he’s been overthinking it in recent weeks, and he arrived at RAC Arena on Wednesday night determined to make a statement against the Perth Wildcats.

That he did.

Davis was perfect in the first quarter, going 7/7 from the field for 16 points with 2 assists and no turnovers, as the Kings hit their first 10 shots of the game and raced to a 25-7 lead.

From there, the Wildcats threw everything at him, but Davis kept finding teammates and finished with 24 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds.

“I just wanted to come out and be aggressive, be me,” Davis told Damian Martin after the game.

“Last few weeks I’ve been overthinking it. Teams been throwing double teams at me. I’m not used to that right now, so I’m getting used to it.

“I’m saying it out loud ’cause I’m not scared to be vulnerable. I’m 27, so I’m seeing new looks that I haven’t really seen much.”

Davis shot 2/11 after quarter-time as the Wildcats sent extra bodies at him. He said beating that is the next test for the Kings, and coach Brian Goorjian’s message to him was clear.

“They let me kind of play a little bit in the first half. As you see in the second half, they start doubling the way more and we got to get better at that,” Davis said.

“I just got to keep trusting in what I do, man. And my teammates believe in me. Coach Goorj met with me: ‘Be you. If you got to shoot over two hands, shoot it.’ So that was just a message. Be aggressive.”

Much of the pre-game hype centred on Davis’s battle with former NBA star Brandon Knight, and the matchup delivered.

Knight was a shining light for Perth in just his fourth game, finishing with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. He sparked the Wildcats’ charge early in the second half, and Perth cut the margin to six in the third quarter and four in the last.

But every time the Wildcats sent two at Davis, the Kings had an answer. Torrey Craig finished with 26 points, including 4 three-pointers, and steadied Sydney late with back-to-back mid-range jumpers. Makuach Maluach added 14 points on 4/5 shooting from beyond the arc.

“Man, he’s been saving us,” Davis said of Craig.

“When they put two on me, he’s ready to knock it down. Makuach ready to knock it down.”

Davis also praised the Kings’ depth, singling out Jayden Stone, Andrew Carr and Harry Wessels. Carr had 15 points and 8 rebounds, and Tyler Robertson added 11 points off the bench. That was all the more important with veteran Matthew Dellavedova missing.

“We’re a young group, man. We got like five guys that’s playing that never played professional before and it’s new to me,” Davis said.

“I’m 27. Our leader, Delly, not here. This new to us. So it’s a great challenge. We just trying to grow … and become the best team we can this year.”

The win was Sydney’s seventh straight over Perth and moved the reigning champions to 6-3. Davis believes the Kings are only getting started.

“I’m not shooting a three ball nowhere near where I supposed to be shooting it. And we know the numbers don’t lie. Eventually they’ll even out,” he said.

“So I’m not even playing at my best right now. We still, what, top two on the ladder? So we got a lot of room to grow.

“Our coach is still learning us. Tyler came in today, stepped up big for us. So man… we haven’t even scratched the surface of who we are yet.”

The Kings head to Launceston for a top-of-the-ladder clash with the Tasmania JackJumpers on Friday night.