The Sydney Kings take down the Townsville Crocodiles lead by AJ Ogilvy who dominated in the paint

In what is possibly the last game of the season for one of Sydney's imports the Kings got a win at Home against the Townsville Crocodiles 88-67. The Crocodiles have so far this season only been able to beat the New Zealand Breakers and were dominated by AJ Ogilvy who made several big dunks and blocks owning the keyway for the kings.

The first quarter went all for the Kings at home with the Townsville Crocodiles having no luck with the refs and the Kings forced several turnovers. It seems the old NBL reffing is creeping back as the season progresses with 3 highly physical games so far this week. The score was 16-9 by the 5min mark of the quarter. AJ dominated early with his second big dunk just over the 5 minute mark followed by a big block on Steven Markovic. With 2 minutes left in the quarter the Kings were already up by 10, 23-13. In the last minute of the 1st quarter Jesse Sanders made a nice round and under the rim lay up and the quarter ended 27-19.

To open the second quarter Townsville scored the first 4 points and kept it competitive 27-23 with 8 minutes left to go in the quarter. Townsvilles import Josh Pace made a big block on Charles Carmouch but Carmouch follows it up with a 3. Its a big game for both of the Kings imports with no announcement as to who will be going home.

Ben Madgen made some nice plays and looks to be getting back to form more and more in every game. Jesse Sanders missed a nice drive but AJ Ogilvy slamed it down with authority. Head coach Shande Heal did say after the preseason AJ Ogilvy could dominate this league and looks like he has started too, averaging a double double in his last few games. with 2 minutes left in the quarter the Kings have extended the league 40-25. Sanders closed the half with another up and under the rim lay up and the Kings are dominating 40-27.

The Kings look really strong when Sanders is on the floor and in my opinion the team would be better off keeping Sanders and letting Charles Carmouche go for Sam Young but its a tough call with two good players.

Sanders had a big game as he made a 2 on the shot clock buzzer then made a steal ran the floor and layed it up. Looks like he is playing for his job and making a very good argument for the cause.
Townsville made a run to try to keep it competitive with back to back 3's from Russel Hinder but Charles Carmouche got back on the court and nails a 3 and get Sydney were back out to 61-43 lead. With 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter Jesse Sanders took a seat and the Kings already looked shallower. If he does go they will definitely be weak at the point. On the buzzer at the end of the quarter Ben Madgen hits a 3 and the Kings hold a 13 point lead 65-52.

The final quarter opens with Brad Hill draining a lay up and Jesse Sanders is slowly racking up the stats. Ogilvy has another big block and the Kings hold their lead to close out the game 88-67.

In a game that should keep Jesse Sanders in the league he finished with 14 points, 3 steals, 4 assists and 5 rebounds. Charles Carmouche had 12 points, 1 assist and 1 block. Shane Heal may stick with Charles Carmouche who has had several big scoring games for the Kings but if he does i wouldnt be surprised if Melbourne try to pick up Jesse Sanders who proves he belonged in the league.
AJ Ogilvy had another big double double with 15 points, 14 rebounds, 5 blocks and 3 steals.

For Townsville Josh Pace had 14 points and 5 rebounds and Russell Hinder had 10 points and 8 rebounds.

Sanders out and Young in for the Sydney Kings

It was released in the Sydney Morning Herald that Jesse Sanders has been released from the Sydney Kings following this weekends game against the Townsville Crocodiles. Jesse Sanders has played as the Sydney Kings starting point guard but is to be released after round 6 to allow for 4 year NBA player Sam Young into the line up. Sanders played the point guard position, for the Kings and played to the framework that head coach Shane Heal laid out for him, however in the cut throat business of import basketball it was unlucky for him that such a star became available to the Kings especially in the revelation that James Ennis has been for the Perth Wildcats and the NBL. Sam Young and the Sydney Kings may have become the team to finally take down the unbeaten Perth Wildcats. This however has left a large gap in the point guard position for the Kings with 3 shooting guards in Ben Madgen, Charles Carmouche and James Harvey maybe they will split the point guard position between them. Some think that the Kings are still yet to find a new import guard who may still take Charles Carmouche's position in the squad to fill that gap in an otherwise very well rounded team. The Kings are still also waiting for power forward Cody Ellis to enter the squad and must be hoping to turn their season around after round 7.

Sam Young signs with the Sydney Kings with an NBA outclause

Former NBA player Sam Young has signed with Sydney Kings in the Australian NBL. His agent Joel Bell told RealGM.
"Sam had other options, but this one made the most sense and will pay him as the highest player in the league," Bell said.

His out clause allows him to return to the NBA at any time up to the Sydney Kings making the playoffs.  Sam young has played as a bench player in the NBA for the last 4 years. In his last year with the Pacers Young played as a defensive stopper on explosive wingmen. This may have been a signing directly aimed at stopping James Ennis and the Perth Wildcats. Young, a 6-foot-6 swingman, has also played with the Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers. If Sam Young can come and have as big an impact that James Ennis is having, the Sydney Kings are going to be a very dangerous team to any opposition.
Iv attached a pretty awesome highlight of Sam Young check it out. This guy can dunk with style.

 
Its awesome to see such big athletic players making it to the NBL instead of going straight to Europe or the D league. Australia is an excellent option over the D league as it gives the NBA out clause as well as paying up to 10x what some player get in the D league. I think the appearance of James Ennis has created a spotlight on the Australian NBL which is often otherwise overlooked by players hoping to make it to the NBA.

For the Kings the only question I guess is who got cut Jesse Sanders or Charles Carmouch? Jesse sanders was recruited for his passing and scrappy defensive plays. He has done exactly that, but Charles Carmouch has been hitting his shots and getting good numbers, again what he was hired for. In both aspects they have played equally well for their position, but my guess is head coach Shane Heal will stick with the shooter, others think he will have to keep Jesse Sanders as the Kings are weak at the point guard position but have plenty of scoring options. With this signing the Kings have become a team to watch out for. Charles Carmouch can shoot, control the ball and make assists or Jesse Sanders is good point guard who leads the team well, Ben Madgen and James Harvey have shown they can make the big plays and shots, and AJ Ogilvy can dominate on the inside. Add in an NBA forward and the Kings have become an excellent early pick for league champion before the Bookies change the odds. At the moment centrebet have the Kings at $10 as league champions. I might have a punt before we get to see how the Kings play with Young in the team. The Kings have a game this weekend and have not yet informed their current imports that one would be going home. This has left the Kings organization with egg on their face and may impact their game this weekend if they don't inform them who by tip off will be going home. It will be an interesting final game for one of Sydney's imports.

The Perth Wildcats wear down the Kings to take their second win

The Perth Wildcats defeated the Sydney Kings 81-65 in a game that was a lot closer then the final score made it look. The Perth Wildcats finally managed to break out from the Kings in the last 7 minutes of the game when Charles Carmouche got his 5th foul and had to sit out. From their it was all the Wildcats. This game had some spectacular highlights with 3 huge dunks from James Ennis. I don't think the NBL has seen a player like him since Leonard Copeland, I'm doubtful the Heat wont call him back sooner rather then later. Looks like he has great potential.

The Kings have become a very well structured team and to head coach Shane Heals credit i think  they may be a sleeper this season and will quietly notch up wins. No one seems to give the Kings much respect but I think Shane has put together a very strong team, eliminating some deficiencies they had last season with some excellent recruiting.
Sydney came out with a good start and Perth were looking a little sluggish with Ennis carrying them on offense getting the first 11 of Perths 13 points. Carmouch for the Kings penetrated with ease and looks to be very quick. Perth managed to hold onto the Kings not letting them break away and finished the first quarter at 20 all.
The fans were a bit quiet in the second quarter and  the music was pumped up. I don't like the music too loud i think its a club killer. Gold Coast did it and i believe it brought down attendances then Townsville was the same last season. I hope Perth is carefull with it.
Jesse Sanders played very well and was constantly compared to Damian Martin by the commentators but that does look like his style of game. He works hard, plays good D and gets assists. He will complement the Kings shooters (James Harvey, Ben Madgen and Brad Hill well). The Kings continued their good performance in the second with James Ennis being brought back on with the Kings up 35-39 to drop a 3 making it 38-41 at the end of the first half.
Sanders continues his good form in the second half driving into Shawn Redhage as he flops to the ground and got a warning for flopping. Both teams are played excellent defence and wasnt letting either team get a decent lead. Carmouch got his 4th foul with 5 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter and had to take a seat. James Ennis got a steal and leads a fast break into an assist as the wildcats take the biggest lead yet of 5 points. Almost straight after Ennis got a fast break and flies with his amazing athleticism making a Huge Dunk. The Kings unrattled maintained their composure with Brad Hill making some great plays keeping the Kings alive. The 3rd quarter comes to close at 54-54.
Opening the final term the crowd erupts in the Perth Arena and Jermaine Beal lands his first 3 pointer in the game. At a tied game 60-60 Carmouch unluckily got his 5th foul with 7 minutes left.
Brad Hill picked up his game this season and showed Shawn Redhage how its done as he makes a mid range jumper trying to bring the Kings back.
Perth started to break away from Sydney when James Ennis makes a massive dunk off a steal and fast break taking the lead back out to 5, 67-62. Straight away Ennis got another fast break and dropped a finger roll layup through the net as he decided to take it up a notch. A big dunk like we saw twice can be a game changer and motivates the team to pick up it also shakes up the opposition as the Kings started to look rattled. The kings couldnt get a call as Perth started to extend their lead and as AJ ogilvy is left rolling on the ground off a no call, Shawn Redhage drops a long bomb taking the game out to 10 points with 2 minutes left. The wildcats must have decided it was show time as Beal makes a steal and gives it up to Ennis who crashes another huge dunk with 3 point play then takes a seat.
The final score leapt out to perth 81 Sydney 65.
In a tight game James Ennis made a highlight real the likes the NBL hasn't seen since the 90's. He finished with 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Sydney's shooting really let them down this week shooting 5% from long range and 27% from the free throw line. Hopefully Madgen when fully healthy can get back to his form from last year later in the season and the
Kings can show what potential they have, but for now the Wildcats are on a 2-0 winning streak at home and we'll see if they can continue the run as they take on the Melbourne Tigers on Sunday in Melbourne.