Kings' "Pit-Bul" sets sights on next target

After back to back road challenges, the Sydney Kings are set for another big test on Wednesday in an Ignite Cup contest against the league leading Adelaide 36ers.

While the spotlight of that AIS Arena clash will be on the battle between the top two MVP contenders, Bryce Cotton and Kendric Davis, another factor looms large.

The matchup between five-time MVP Bryce Cotton, who is scoring a league-high 26.6 points a game, and Bul Kuol, who held him to just seven points (on 3/10 shooting) in Round 4.

But NBL champion Pete Hooley believes the Harbour City side has the perfect dynamic defender to try and slow down Cotton and limit his exceptional production.

“We’ve got Bul Kuol fresh off keeping Kristian Doolittle quiet and then Chris Goulding. But now he gets Bryce,” Pete Hooley said on NBL Now.

“This is going to be a whole lot of fun.”

When asked who would win this matchup, Damon Lowery was quick to support the defensive beast, who represented South Sudan at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“I’m backing the second skin. The pitbull,” Lowery said on NBL Overtime.

There’s no doubt Kuol’s confidence is sky high, holding Perth’s key forward to just five points on Friday night, before limiting Goulding to just 3/8 from the field.

It was two impressive defensive performances that were enough for his teammate and reigning NBL Sixth Man of the Year, Kouat Noi, to have some fun with on social media.

“It’s a bit of fun. He’s got Chris [Goulding] and [Kristian] Doolittle in a pram. I believe they will see that and next time we’ll see if there are some fireworks when they play each other,” Jason Cadee said on NBL Now.

“At the end of the day, we love to see players do this kind of stuff.

“Not that the Kings needed anymore reason to add some spice to their contests against Perth and Melbourne, but that could all change next time.

“He likes going back and forth, but it also makes the next encounter very, very interesting.”

Wednesday’s Ignite Cup fixture in Canberra tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.