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‘Underdogs’: NBL star hits out as champions snubbed by experts
Reigning NBL Finals MVP Kendric Davis believes his Sydney Kings enter the upcoming season as the “underdogs” and feels the team has been overlooked due to key roster changes, despite last year’s remarkable title win.
The Kings lost Jaylin Galloway, Bul Kuok, Kouat Noi and Shaun Bruce from last year's championship roster, which has led to speculation about whether they can climb the mountain again.
Kendric Davis of the Sydney Kings celebrates the championship win. Getty
None of the NBL’s analysts or commentators have tipped Sydney to go back-to-back in their pre-season predictions. Only former NBL player Mark Worthington has predicted them to even finish inside the top four.
Davis, who has returned to Sydney for the upcoming season, has heard the external noise and said it motivates the group.
"We've got a new season and a new team to look forward to. We're raising a banner, we've got the gold on our jerseys," Davis told nine.com.au.
"I think the league knows, we ain't got to talk about it no more (winning the title). It's a new season now. I think talking about that keep you behind.
"We're trying to get ahead. We understand we're the champs, but now we back to underdogs, right? Nobody picking us again.
"Everybody talking about what we lost, not what we gained. So, it's a new experience, a new chapter, and it's a new underdog story for us."
Sydney have added some talent, including Wake Forest forward Andrew Carr, Aussie point guard Will Johnston and seven-foot centre Harry Wessels.
Davis knows they may need some time to build into the season, but says it's about ensuring they're on the same page at the right time of the year.
"We need to weather the storm through adversity like we did last year, not caring about the outside noise. We started out 3-5 and everybody said we stink and we stayed together," he said.
"Melbourne United started out 11-0 and they were apparently the best team ever assembled, so it's not how you start and we know that. It's a long season.
"We've just got to stick together through the ups and downs."
Winning last year’s championship and Finals MVP in one of the wildest conclusions to an NBL season ever has certainly left a mark on Davis.
His battles with Adelaide star and six-time MVP Bryce Cotton, which he refused to get drawn into during the interview, were the defining scenes of last season.
Kendric Davis gets in Bryce Cotton’s face after an NBL Finals game. ESPN
"I want to win back-to-back championships. I had the best experience winning the championship. The confetti falling, the popping bottles, I want to experience that again," the American guard said.
"I've played a lot of good basketball my whole life, but last season's championship was one of the most fun moments I've had as a pro so far in my career. I dreamed of winning a championship.
"Moments like that, you don't get often. Only one team can do that. It was up there with one of the best moments. I'm going to remember it forever.
"My son still talks about it. He wants to know how we can get confetti to come down in our house. I'm like 'I don't know how we can do that', but that means the world to me.
“I’m excited for the season. We’ve got a new group. We appreciate all the love and support we get. I look forward to picking up where we left off last year.
"We love our city and our fans and they're the reason we hung a banner. Hopefully we see them Sunday to raise it together."
The NBL season gets underway on Saturday, though the Kings will unfurl their banner against Cairns on Sunday evening.
Nine will broadcast two NBL matches on free-to-air every week of the season.
