Kings' reign on "shaky" ground

Can the Sydney Kings flip their road form on its head against the Cairns Taipans on Thursday? If they’re to be contenders once again this season, Derek Rucker believes they need to. 

The Kings have won three of seven road games this season, as opposed to their four home wins from five games.

Sydney fell to the Wildcats in Perth in Round 9 off the back of a 41-point masterclass from Bryce Cotton. Rucker says the Kings need to figure out how to stop the opposition from getting on extensive scoring runs.

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“I’ve been saying for weeks now that this team isn’t playing to the level I’m sure they want to. I think if they’re being totally honest with themselves, they look shaky,” Rucker said on NBL Now.

“I’m not sure what that Plan B is, but I know they have to find an alternate style of play because they’re getting up and down, they’re allowing a lot of easy buckets and when things aren’t going well they haven’t found a way to strategise and slow the other team’s run down.

“Everyone knows worldwide the Sydney Kings can get points and do it rapidly, but if you’re playing against someone like a Bryce Cotton, if you’re playing against a Mitch Creek, if you’re playing against some of the superstars, they’re going to be able to get buckets against you.

“Being able to restrict the opposition’s quality looks and in the meantime maintaining your own offensive punch, that’s how they’re going to get themselves back into the top two again.”

Of Sydney’s three road wins this season, only one has come outside of New South Wales.

Following their away trip to face the Taipans on Thursday night, Sydney will host a South East Melbourne side flying high after last week’s win over a resurgent New Zealand.

“They’re not a good road team,” Rucker said on the reigning champions.

“They’re 3-4 and those three wins have come against Illawarra twice and a Brisbane team that’s not Brisbane now. They do not have a quality road win in my opinion.

“Sunday they’re going to feel a lot more comfortable ... we know they’re strong at Qudos Bank Arena – especially on a Sunday afternoon – however, should they lose Thursday night and all of a sudden those wheels get really loose and they have to play Sunday against South East Melbourne, that takes on a whole different flavour.

“I’m really interested to get down there on Sunday because it’s going to be one hell of a game, but the Kings need to stamp their identity on the rest of the league and get it together.”

Sydney and Cairns will face off on Thursday night at 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo.