Davis v Cotton: The matchup that will decide it all

AAP.

Sydney Kings superstar Kendric Davis won’t deny he carries a chip on his shoulder into the NBL Championship Series.

Davis was furious when narrowly denied league MVP honours by rival guard Bryce Cotton last month, labelling the voting process “rigged” and a “popularity contest”.

In the aftermath, the outspoken import shifted his focus to a bigger prize, one that now comes with a layer of personal redemption against Cotton and his Adelaide 36ers.

The best-of-five Championship Series tips off at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday night.

“Just win something that they can’t vote on, that’s how I look at it,” Davis said on the eve of the Finals.

“Just win a championship. That’s all I want.”

The simmering feud between the American-born stars headlines what shapes as a title fight for the ages.

Davis spent one season with Adelaide but departed on a sour note despite a three-year contract offer, with the 36ers replacing him in a blockbuster move by signing Cotton from the Perth Wildcats.

After joining Sydney, Davis traded public barbs with Adelaide early in the season and was met with boos on his return to South Australia as a Kings player.

“I’m the most misunderstood guy to ever come through the NBL,” Davis said.

“I just want to be remembered as one of the greats and one of the best to ever do it.”

Cotton, now a six-time league MVP, has already cemented that legacy and elevated his game even further this season, averaging 26.2 points, 7.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

The 33-year-old has been dominant in the Finals, leading the 36ers past South East Melbourne while averaging 36.3 points per game in the Playoffs Series.

Kings coach Brian Goorjian has multiple defensive options to throw at Cotton, including Torrey Craig, Makuach Maluach and Jaylin Galloway.

However, veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova could prove the key.

“He’s an incredible basketball player and if you don’t do something about that, you’re not going to win the series,” Goorjian said.

“Dellavedova is a definite factor. He did a phenomenal job in game two against Perth and was instrumental.

“So having him with you as far as executing your game plan offensively and defensively is huge, and he’ll be a key part of it.”

Sydney (24-9) and Adelaide (23-10) shared top spot for much of the regular season, with the Kings ultimately securing the minor premiership.

They are chasing a first title in three years, while the 36ers are aiming to end a 24-year championship drought.

Sydney enters the series with the advantage of home court, though Adelaide remains confident.

“The whole underdog concept is an opinion,” 36ers import Zylan Cheatham said.

“We’ve been top of the table, they’ve been top of the table. I don’t think there’s really an underdog at this point.

“It’s two of the top teams that have executed at the highest level meeting in the finals.

“We definitely don’t think of ourselves as below any team in this league.”

Sydney hosts Adelaide in Game 1 on Saturday night at Qudos Bank Arena, live on ESPN and 10 Drama from 7pm AEDT.