“Coach of the Year by far”: Roth praises Goorjian’s masterclass

The aftermath of the Sydney Kings’ stunning loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers was darker than many realised. Brian Goorjian felt it, lived it, and Scott Roth saw it firsthand, which is why his admiration for the Kings coach since has been so genuine.

When the Tasmania JackJumpers snatched a win for the ages from the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena on October 26, the night became about more than just the result. It was equal parts Tasmania’s extraordinary fight and Sydney letting a game slip that should never have been lost.

The fallout was immediate and heavy. Brian Goorjian was distraught afterwards, and several of his players were too, with Xavier Cooks particularly affected. It was a moment that lingered well beyond the final buzzer.

What followed, though, has been a defining response. Since that night, the Kings have won 14 of their next 18 games, a stretch that includes a commanding 105-94 win over the JackJumpers back at Qudos Bank Arena on Thursday night.

For Scott Roth, the transformation has only reinforced what he already believed. The image of Goorjian after that October loss has stayed with him, and seeing the way the Kings coach has lifted his group since has underscored just how remarkable he remains, even after six NBL championships and more than 850 games in the league.

"About three months ago we won a game that we probably shouldn’t have won, but we fought hard enough to get the perfect storm across the line and I walked right out here in the room next door, and I saw Brian Goorjian with his hands in his head on the couch slumped over, and quite distraught," Roth said.

Roth’s admiration only grew in the weeks that followed, particularly as the noise around Goorjian intensified.

"For about two months all I heard about was what a bad coach he is, the game's passed him by, he's too old, the roster's not good and you need another American, and it went on and on and on about this guy who to go against him is a privilege.

"To watch him do his job at 72 years old, I can't be one fourth of what he is. He loves this game and to see him in that mode that I saw him in three months ago really shook me about what we do, and then to see him get raked through the coals.

"But these last six weeks has been a masterclass in coaching and if you can't appreciate what he's done for Australian basketball and for this franchise, and what he's put in this last six weeks, he's Coach of the Year by far, it's not close by me."

When informed of Roth’s comments, Goorjian was quick to return the respect.

"I feel the same way and when we got pantsed by them which we have three times, the respect of what he's done down there and we go back a long way," Goorjian said.

"It's not a kiss and cuddle thing, it's just an absolute respect and you know even tonight, all that they went through with the injuries and missing those bodies and being 20 down, I'm walking the sidelines thinking they're coming and they're not letting this thing go.

"He's just built that thing down there so it's nothing but respect and my wife even said when we had all the injuries tonight coming in, just enjoy it because you're playing a class act and she's been around me the whole time and has watched from afar.

"It's nothing but respect and respect for them, and what they are down there."