Longley backs 'NBA coach of the future'

Having played under one of the most successful coaches of all time, Phil Jackson, and as a three-time NBA champion himself, Luc Longley knows exactly what it takes to build a winning culture.

So when the Kings parted ways with Chase Buford after back-to-back championships, it was vital they landed the right person to lead the team forward. Enter Mahmoud Abdelfattah. 

After stints as an assistant coach at the Houston Rockets, and head coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, which included a Championship and Coach of the Year award, Abdelfattah signed a two-year deal with the Kings. 

Just three months into his new role, Longley says Abdelfattah is already having an incredible impact.  

“We’re really proud to have him. We think he’s an NBA coach in the future,” Longley said during the Hungry Jack’s NBL Blitz on the Gold Coast.

“We love the way he speaks about the game. We love the way he relates to the guys.

“Chase [Buford] was great in his way and Mahmoud is great in a different way. 

“He’s been great … very clear and the guys respond to him.”

History is against Sydney’s quest for a three-peat, with only two teams having achieved the feat in the league’s 44-year history. 

But the Kings did it back in 2003 to 2005, and the Breakers more recently between 2011 and 2013, so it's not impossible. 

It’s a very different looking Sydney side this year, and despite somewhat of a slow start at the Blitz, Abdelfattah’s team is brimming with talent.

Back comes Jaylen Adams, having won the league’s MVP just two seasons ago, while DJ Hogg had a fantastic season at Cairns last year.

Denzel Valentine boasts 260 games in the NBA and Jonah Bolden looms as a potential x-factor after three years out of the game.

The Kings have depth too. Who could forget the heroics of Angus Glover, writhing in pain and winning the game for his team with a serious rib injury in Game 5 of the NBL23 Championship Series? 

Then there's Galloway, Hunter, Noi, Bruce and then the next generation, Alex Toohey, who had a couple of big games at the Blitz. Sydney has one of the longest rosters in the league.

“We’re a physical team this year. Our defence is pretty aggressive. It’s high-risk, high-reward sort of situation,” Longley said. 

Winning one championship is hard enough, winning two even harder, winning three, well that’s rare company.

But Longley says the Kings have the perfect man for the job - Mahmoud Abdelfattah. 

Sydney tips off its season with a roadtrip to take on the Illawarra Hawks on Saturday, September 30 at 8pm AEST.

Watch every game live on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.