Goorjian’s frank admission after Kings miss chance

Just two wins separate first from ninth on the NBL ladder, and that makes every game count right now.

It also makes the next three weeks loom large for the Sydney Kings.

Sunday’s hard-fought loss to Melbourne United left the Kings at 5-3 and in third place. Their next four games could be the ultimate litmus test.

First up are the two teams sitting above them, both on the road: the Perth Wildcats, then ladder-leader Tasmania. After that comes a Phoenix side finally finding its feet, then the fourth-placed Cairns Taipans, one of the form teams of the competition.

With key leader Matthew Dellavedova sidelined, this period could say a lot about Sydney’s championship ambitions.

A win at John Cain Arena would have pulled the Kings level on wins with Tasmania. Coach Brian Goorjian conceded the chance had slipped by, but he took heart from where his team sits after eight games.

“We’ve had two opportunities to do some really good things. Today was a big one, and then we had Adelaide at home where we had a real opportunity,” he said.

“So we had an opportunity a couple of times, but we also have done some good work to be positioned like we are tonight and not be two and four or two and five. So we missed a chance, but it’s nice to be in a position where you’re playing with that kind of opportunity as opposed to where they are right now.”

Melbourne hit 7 of their first 9 threes and led by 13 at three-quarter time, before Cole Anthony (30 points, 9 assists) sealed a 105-95 win with a late triple.

The Kings committed 16 turnovers, and reigning Championship Series MVP Kendric Davis shot 3/16, with Torrey Craig (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Andrew Carr (18 points, 11 rebounds) the standouts.

For Goorjian, the problem was clear.

“The answer to your questions all come back to moving the ball,” he said.

“As the game finished, it wasn’t only the disappointment of the loss, it was frustrating on how we lost, because it’s a formula that we’re not going to win many playing like that.”

The championship coach knows the stretch ahead will reveal plenty about his side.

“We’re playing, you know… three of the top four teams,” he said. “And then you’ve got Perth in Perth, and then you got Tassie. So it’s going to be real challenging, and we’ll learn a lot about our team during this next five, six days. It’s only early in the season.”

The reigning champions still have plenty of their title-winning core and Goorjian believes the challenge sits with him as much as the players.

“I got a really good group and I got a really talented group and a group that is close, and we’ve won a championship together,” he said.

“We got a lot of those main pieces back. They’re in the right place. I’ve got to get this thing right, right combinations, playing together, doing the right thing.”

Goorjian said Dellavedova would likely return “within the month”, as he battles a calf injury similar to that of Melbourne United’s Chris Goulding.

His message to the group was simple.

“Here’s what this look like. ABC needs to be better. Let’s go.”