A nervous Xavier Cooks admits he’ll in all probability throw up earlier than sport one of many NBL championship collection however is assured his Sydney Kings will not succumb to intense stress on-court.
Chasing back-to-back titles for the primary time since finishing a well-known three-peat in 2005, the Kings host the New Zealand Breakers within the best-of-five collection opener on Friday evening.
Cooks, the league’s MVP this season, is essential to Sydney’s possibilities after overcoming an ankle damage suffered throughout the semi-final collection win over Cairns.
But he predicted he’ll face one other hurdle earlier than tip-off at Qudos Bank Arena.
“I throw up before most games – I’m a nervous wreck – but that’s what basketball’s about and it all comes down to this,” Cooks stated.
“There’s three more wins and you win a championship.”
Despite his inner battle, Cooks has religion the Kings will maintain it collectively as sizzling favourites beneath the grand ultimate highlight.
“A lot of our boys don’t pay attention too much to that kind of stuff,” he stated.
“I feel like we’ve had pressure all year long.
“Since the season began we have had a goal on our backs, being the reigning champs.
“Everyone’s tried to come at us and we’ve stood our ground so far.”
Sydney will take pleasure in home-court benefit within the championship collection however all three conferences between the Kings and Breakers this season have been received by the away facet.
New Zealand, that includes of their first title decider since their golden period from 2011 to 2016, have been fast to assert underdog standing after their semi-final win over Tasmania.
Veteran swingman Tom Abercrombie featured in all 4 of the Auckland-based outfit’s earlier championships and charges the present line-up each bit as proficient because the Breakers groups that dominated the league.
“It’s wonderful to be back in this position and to be playing with a team and a group of people who are about the right things and have gone about things the right way this year,” Abercrombie stated.
“It’s just a really tight-knit group and it’s awesome that we’ve been rewarded for our hard work with a chance to go for another championship.”
There have been fears Cooks’ season may very well be over after he went down with an ankle damage throughout a chaotic second sport of the Kings-Taipans semi-final collection.
But the MVP stated it feels “great” forward of the championship decider.
“I had no problems all week with it,” Cooks stated.
“The two-week break was great for that kind of stuff, the little niggling injuries, but I’ll be fine.”
Cooks predicted defence will resolve the title.
“I think it will be a defensive series,” he stated.
“They’re a great defensive team and so are we … it’s about who can control the tempo.
“They’re a slow-paced crew and we’re a fast-paced crew, so whoever can management these sorts of variables wins the sport for my part.”
GRAND FINAL SCHEDULE (best-of-five series)
Game One: Qudos Bank Arena, Friday March 3
Game Two: Spark Arena, Sunday March 5
Game Three: Qudos Bank Arena, Friday March 10
Game Four (if required): Spark Arena, Sunday March 12
Game five (if required): Qudos Bank Arena, Wednesday March 15
REGULAR SEASON MEETINGS
November 6: New Zealand 77 – 81 Sydney
December 8: New Zealand 81 – 88 Sydney
January 22: Sydney 88 – 93 New Zealand
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
