The Sydney Kings returned to action tonight. It may have been pre-season action and it may have been against a non-NBL squad, but it provided a great deal of excitement and promise nonetheless.

Touring Drake University put up a great fight for the first quarter at least, startling the newly-assembled Kings roster by going ahead 23-17 at quarter time. Five minutes later though, the purple and gold had gained the ascendancy, taking a 34-30 lead that they would not relinquish the rest of the way.

The final score: 95-62 Kings. However, the scoreline was of little importance. For the fans, this game was all about seeing the purple and gold uniforms on the floor again; and for Ian "Moose" Robilliard's coaching staff, this was about testing out new players and combinations in the wild.

And as I said at the top, this game left all in attendance with a feeling of anticipation -- a feeling resembling a kid a week before Christmas that has snuck a look under their mum's bed and know that they're going to receive a fantastic gift. Quite simply, so many tantalising options on the Kings roster were unearthed tonight that fans could be excused for letting their imaginations get away from them.

Don't forget, the active roster I'm about to describe is lacking three key players that are yet to hit the floor.

Julian Khazzouh

The big man who was arguably the best player in Australia in 2010/11 has not lost a step -- he looks ready to go and will once again be the guy that every NBL team focuses on stopping week in, week out. He finished tonight's game with 20 points (10/14 FG), 12 rebounds, 5 blocks in 28 heavily-guarded minutes. Enough said.

Ben Madgen

The reigning NBL Rookie of the Year showed that he is well and truly ready to carry on where he left off in his first season of pro hoops. After being called up to the Australian Boomers over the off-season, despite an elbow complaint, the shooting guard showed the pure form that makes him a fan favourite, knocking down 3/4 three-pointers for 17 points, complemented nicely by six rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes. Look out for an in-depth interview with Madgen exclusive to A Stern Warning in the coming day or two.

Luke Martin

Either Moose was providing the recently-married point guard with a honeymoon break, or more likely, he already knows what he will get on the court from the Kings stalwart. Martin played 19 minutes, the least of the Kings' three-headed point guard monster, but understandably, there are no surprises in his game to be unearthed by the coaching staff.

Luke Cooper

True to his terrier form, Coops was all over the floor, playing with the tenacious passion which saw him as an early favourite for Rookie of the Year in 2010/11 before injury cut that short. He managed to draw a game-high nine fouls on his inspired drives to the basket, finishing with 10 points and two assists, to go along with some impressive defence.

Aaron Bruce

I've long supported the signing of Bruce to the Kings as a great move. He is a big guard who provides the Kings with a different look and the ability to put a very long team on the floor if Robilliard chooses to. Against Drake, despite carrying a corked calf which took some time to warm up, he showed exactly what he is capable of. In a well-rounded performance, Bruce contributed 11 points, five assists, three rebounds, a steal and a block. He has fantastic body control and a great knack for being in the right spots on the floor. The Kings will be just fine without an import point guard between these three floor generals.

Kevin Ratzsch

This guy got off a very long plane ride less than 24 hours before tip-off. And whilst the jet-lag showed somewhat in his ability to finish shots, he showed exactly what he brings to the table in his well-rounded hustle game. In 22 minutes, he grabbed eight rebounds and played some quality defence -- showing the length and athleticism that is just one part of the Kings' embarassment of riches in the versatility department. Despite obviously not being familiar with any of the Kings offensive or defensive patterns just yet, Ratzsch contributed through hustle plays and confirmed my thoughts that he will be the ultimate glue guy for this team. Doubt him at your peril.

Anatoly Bose

Smooth. Confident. Potent. These three words just begin to describe the lanky swingman who enters the NBL off an NCAA top ten scoring performance in his senior year of college. Get him the ball and he will produce, without hesitation. His shot mechanics are so smooth and fluid, it's a thing of beauty to watch. However, we already expected this, based on his stellar collegiate career. Offensive firepower is a well-advertised aspect to Bose's game. What I was pleasantly surprised to see was a dedication at the other end of the floor. Bose crashed the boards hard, playing like a power forward at times, in the mould of a Mark Worthington. He also showed a commitment to defence that I did not expect. It is hard to find fault in this line: 16 points (6/10 FG, 1/2 3PT, 3/4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block, three turnovers. Okay, perhaps the last statistic is undesirable, but turnovers tend to come with being a scorer. In short, teammate Madgen's prediction of Rookie of the Year honours coming to Bose is one that I share.

Tanner Kerry

The development player, fresh off a stint with Pepperdine University, is a hard-working big man who clearly knows where to be on the floor and is well-drilled in the fundamentals. He managed to knock down two free throws in six minutes of action and more importantly, showed that he is prepared to earn minutes through hard work.

Jarrad Weeks

The returning development player was extremely unfortunate to go down with a calf/ankle injury on a fast-break challenge to the offensive boards, after just three minutes of action. Initial diagnoses are that nothing was broken, but tests will reveal more.

Martin Iti

We've saved the best for last. The signing of Iti has yet to be officially announced, but the man occupying the eleventh and final contracted roster spot certainly was the surprise packet in this game. He got the crowd off their feet on no less than three occasions. The 28 year-old seven-foot Sydney-born New Zealander played significant stretches alongside Khazzouh at the four spot, in a twin towers scenario, as well as spurts alone at centre. And wow, did he provide the highlights! He showed his athleticism and quickness to power down a putback dunk on a Khazzouh miss, before converting on a Luke Martin alley-oop pass not much later. He came inches away from finishing another alley-oop a little later in his 15 minute stint on the floor. He put together an eight point, seven rebound line in that time period and cemented himself as a potential cult hero this season at the Kingdome. Best case scenario: Iti becomes a solid backup player to Khazzouh, providing highlights on a semi-regular basis. Worst case scenario: he offers a great piece of training fodder to put Khazzouh through his paces on the practice court every week, along with five disposable fouls on game night.

The others

With all of the excitement on offer in this game, it's almost easy to forget that the Kings did not have hotly-anticipated import Jerai Grant in the country yet, injury-benched Graeme Dann wearing a protective boot, nor Alex Gynes who is currently representing Australia at the 2011 Summer Universiade. Robilliard was already presented with a diverse number of flexible combinations on the floor and with the abovementioned versatile players (all of whom can play multiple positions), the permutations are mind-blowing. Grant alongside Khazzouh will be feared across the league, whilst Dann and Gynes offer two more 2/3/4 options to be thrown on the floor.

Drake University

The college team offered solid resistance to their more senior rivals, particularly in the early-going. At the end of the day, they simply did not have the size and skill to overcome a pro side like the Kings, but in particular guard Rayvonte Rice was extremely impressive. He showed no fear in his steam-rolling drives to the basket, finishing with 26 points and six rebounds. His only real support came from 6'8" forward Ben Simons, who showed length and outside touch on his way to 17 points. Unfortunately, both players, along with their teammates, shot at a poor clip from the floor (team field goal percentage: 30%).

As always, the inimitable Matt McQuade has put together a comprehensive review of the game that is required reading, including quotes from coaching staff. 

With National Basketball League pre-season games getting under way and the regular season just around the corner, the time has come to preview the nine teams that will be running around in 2011/12. During the NBA lockout negotiations, many NBL teams have had high hopes of securing top level import talent and have been holding off signings until market conditions had become apparent. However, with less than eight weeks until tip-off, many of those imports are now being announced and it's time to get training camps together.

Sydney Kings

2010-11 Regular Season: 8-20 (ninth)

Where are they coming from?

The Kings entered 2010-11 on the back foot, re-entering the NBL after a hiatus induced by a string of mismanagement and fraudulent ownership. With less than the normal length of time to assemble a squad, the franchise from the Harbour City was fortunate to secure star big man Julian Khazzouh, surrounded by a mix of young talent and league cast-offs. Notwithstanding the roster, Sydney was elated to have their team back and drew fantastic crowds for a cellar-dwelling club.

Outside of Khazzouh, Ben Madgen was a major bright spot, rising from sitting outside the 10-man roster to a starting role and NBL Rookie of the Year honours. His outside shooting and tenacity saw him earn a call-up to the Australian Boomers training camp recently.

2010-11 was always going to be a season of learning and development and whilst the Kings went through plenty of struggles on the court, one thing they proved that they still know how to do is put on a great show around the court. Game night entertainment at the Kingdome proved to be a major drawcard with fans turning out to see the sideshows and "be there" where the celebrities were.

Who are the stars?

Once again, Khazzouh will be the marquee player that every team tries to stop. The big man, who finished second in MVP voting last season to the outgoing Gary Ervin (Wollongong Hawks, now in Europe), is arguably the best player in the NBL once again. Many will claim that the Kings' centre only missed out on MVP honours due to his team's poor record and there is scope for even more improvement in the 25 year-old's game, with his amazingly soft hands and all-round game. Most of the Kings' offence will key off Khazzouh's ability to draw double-teams and score inside and out; similarily, his shot-blocking at the other end of the court is as good an anchor as you can get.

Meanwhile, the newest announced signing, import Jerai Grant, may challenge Khazzouh for level of impact on some nights. The son of former NBA forward Harvey Grant (and nephew of ex-Chicago Bulls star Horace Grant), is a hustle player with eye-catching athleticism, an ability to get fans out of their seats with dunks in traffic and enough swatting ability to handle the biggest swarm of bugs. Khazzouh could not ask for better assistance at the power forward slot to complement his game at both ends of the court. When Khazzouh sits, the 6'8" Grant can easily slide across to the centre position and use his 7'0.5" wingspan to alter opposition shots and throw down dunks like this:

On the rise?

Whilst the Kings have the aforementioned firepower (pardon the use of the word) down low, the two players to look out for on the up and up will be scoring from the outside. After his ROY performance last season, Madgen will be looking to assert himself even more in this league as a gunner to be feared. Being able to start the season in the rotation, along with his off-season training with the Boomers, will surely pay dividends for the South Australian's game as he continues to attract opposition key wing defenders and similarly looks to continue to improve his defensive game.

Meanwhile, newcomer Anatoly Bose comes to the Kings with a solid Division One NCAA career under his belt at Nicholls State University. Originally born in Kazakhstan, the 6'6" swingman has a brilliant knack for scoring, ranking ninth in the NCAA with 22.1ppg in his senior year. He is essentially a Sydney product, having grown up for most of his childhood in the Eastern Suburbs and attending Waverly College -- bringing another local touch to the Kings. Like teammate Madgen, Bose was called up for a run with the Boomers in recent months, showing no fear to shoot the rock.

Both Bose and Madgen will be called upon to draw defences away from the big men and knock down the outside shot when left open -- essentially giving the Kings an inside-outside combo not to be sneered at.

The wildcards?

There are two key wildcards that could make or break the season for the 2011 wooden spooners:

1. The first import signing for the Kings was met with many blanks faces from the non-hardcore basketball community. However, swingman Kevin Ratzsch can play basketball. The American, who fits coach Ian "Moose" Robilliard's hustle mentality, is the type of all-rounder that keeps teams together and does all of the little things that others don't. Whilst still relatively young at 25, the 6'7" Northern State University product has proven both in Spain and around the traps in Australia, that he is determined to do whatever it takes to prove that he belongs. Being compared to former NBL import Mike Kelly, Ratzsch can shoot from the perimeter, dunk the ball, pass the rock and plays exceptional defence. In short, he is the type of player that every team wants, even if he doesn't make the sexy plays that casual fans go ga-ga for. The question is, will he be a mere role player for the Kings, or will he emerge as a star performer, demanding focus from opponents on a weekly basis?

2. Whilst many contend that an import point guard is what is needed to compete in the NBL, Robilliard (himself a former NBL guard) is squarely in the opposing camp. He has previously made it clear that the standard of homegrown point guards in Australia is such that it is unnecessary to waste an import slot on the position. And true to his word, the Kings have sourced an Aussie point guard rotation in returnees Luke Martin and Luke Cooper, alongside new signing Aaron Bruce. The big questions here are: (a) who, if anyone, will emerge as the clear starter here?; (b) how will Cooper return from injury that saw him miss much of his fine rookie season?; and (c) will Bruce return to the form that once saw him as a much-touted future floor leader for the Boomers? Bruce is a big guard who should impress, given a full off-season of training, after previously querying his own future in the sport. Meanwhile Cooper is a big enigma, given his strong rookie start, followed by injury, rehabilitation, a call-up to Boomers camp and some disappointing performances from there over the off-season. The team may rely on the known-quantity that Martin is to keep the point position steady in the early-going.

How is the roster shoring up?

At this stage, based on talent and longevity the most likely starting lineup would consist of Martin, Madgen, Bose, Grant and Khazzouh. Of course, Robilliard will tell anyone that listens that players have to earn their minutes and that training camp will go a long way to determining those spots. Ratzsch will certainly push hard for one of those starting wing positions, whilst Bruce and Cooper will do everything in their power to garner the point guard duties too. The other player to look out for is Australian NCAA recruit Alex Gynes, who Robilliard looks forward to coaching as his type of player. He may well secure some rotation minutes at the two and three spots. The man not to be forgotten here is 2010-11 Sydney Kings team defensive player of the year, Graeme Dann. The man who famously lost his front teeth at the Kingdome last season, was as hard-working as any King and did a huge job of rebounding, defending and assisting with ball-handling as an undersized power forward. At this stage it looks like Dann will be the key backup to Grant at the four spot, as part of a three-man rotation at the PF/C positions.

Whilst they are not yet officially announced, the Kings have signed a Sydney-born, potential-laden backup big man to the 11th roster slot and four development players who will struggle to see any minutes in the current deep lineup. At this stage it certainly appears that there is no room for 2010-11 captain Ben Knight, who is training with the Wollongong Hawks for a likely roster spot.

Where will they finish?

No more cellar-dwelling for the Sydney Kings in 2011-12 -- that is the prediction from this writer. A combination of Khazzouh's brilliance, the youthful scoring punch of Madgen and Bose and the excellent recruiting of imports that complement the Australian content of the roster, mean that the Kings should find a way to finish in the range of 5th to 7th with a record of about .500. It's not back to the three-peat days yet, but the Kings are on the rise.   

The National Basketball League and Basketball Australia have certainly seen their share of troughs, but after an extensive review of basketball downunder and a rebirth of the NBL last year replete with a Sydney team, things are definitely on an upward trajectory.

One aspect that is particularly refreshing is that the league has learnt from past mistakes in the areas of communication and media. Whilst there is still some room for improvement, particularly in the promotion of the game to a wider audience, it is pleasing to see the use of online media to engage fans and a more open line of communication with league head office opening up.

Justin Milne, the relatively new chair of the NBL Commission, has addressed the fans on a variety of topics in a just-released video interview. Opening the floodgates to fan scrutiny is always a dangerous ploy, but one to be commended from a league that is striving to regain public sentiment. The NBL did just that by asking fans for questions via the league's Facebook page, prior to the interview going ahead.

If you've spent even five minutes in the comments section under a news article, or followed the conversations on Facebook and Twitter in the past, you'll know that the online world can be a cesspit for misguided, uneducated and downright stupid 'thought'. True to form, there were plenty of 'questionable questions' thrown at the NBL to be addressed to Milne, but they were carefully navigated during this interview.

Importantly, Milne speaks at length about the prospects of clubs from Brisbane, Melbourne and Newcastle in entering the league. He dismisses the notion of returning to 48 minute games (the NBA is the only other league in the world to not have adopted the FIBA 40 minute game) and excitingly, mentions in passing that Basketball Australia has had discussions with the NBA about getting an NBA exhibition game to Australia down the track.

Milne shows impressive knowledge of the game and its history -- which, given the nature of many executives and their failure to take their post seriously, is impressive -- despite his background being mainly devoted to telecommunications (Telstra, OzeMail etc). Enough from me. Watch the video.

Patty Mills has moved to quash the rumours we noted yesterday about him having signed on the dotted line to play with Andalou Efes in Turkey.

A press release from Basketball Australia opens the door to National Basketball League clubs and others in Europe to still secure the speedy guard's services, before he finalises any contracts. Ultimately, he intends to focus on his Australian Boomers commitments, before returning to the Portland Trail Blazers when the lockout is lifted.

From BA:

Mills, whilst acknowledging that the Turkish team was one of a number of European clubs his agent was in talks with, emphatically denies that he has signed a contract with the club and was continuing to weigh his options both in Europe and the iiNet NBL Championship in Australia.

“I want to make it clear that I have not signed with any team in Turkey,” said Mills from his Canberra home this afternoon.  “I have received offers from teams but I have not come to any agreements with any of the teams there.”

The star guard admitted that, apart from European offers, there had been “interest from a lot of NBL teams”.

“My intention during this lockout is to look at offers from Europe and Australia particularly for the reasons that my contract would have an out-clause, therefore when the NBA lockout does come to an end that I could head back over there then,” he said.

“I’ve made no decision where I’m going to play during the lockout as of yet, but I’m looking to come close to making a decision in the next few weeks,” Mills added.

Mills said at the moment his full focus is on preparing for the Boomers’ upcoming Olympic qualification series against New Zealand, the 2011 FIBA Oceania Championship which will be played in Melbourne (7 September), Brisbane (9 September) and Sydney (11 September) next month.
“All these rumours with the lockout are obviously going on but my main focus at the moment is with the Boomers and in preparation for the New Zealand series,” said Mills.  “We’ve got the next camp coming up which is going to be a big camp for all of us guys to move forward before our exhibition games in London and Spain.  It’s great coming home and being part of the Boomers so you can stay focused on the job at hand.  Our one goal at the moment is to beat New Zealand and move ahead to qualify for the Olympics.” 

The Adelaide 36ers have today announced the signing of import power forward John Williamson.

Originally from Cincinnati University, the 6'6" power player has competed professionally in Poland, France, the Phillippines, Finland (with the Honka Playboys, former home of popular Portland Trail Blazers draftee Petteri Koponen) and in the VTB League. The VTB League, where he ranked second in rebounds (9.8rpg) and fourth in steals (1.9spg), was formed in 2008, uniting 12 clubs from across Eastern Europe. Williamson was named to the league's All-Imports team.

Williamson joins recently signed point guard Chris Warren in completing the 36ers' quota of imports.

Head coach, Marty Clarke: “John is known as a fierce and uncompromising competitor and is a power forward.  He has outstanding statistics and extensive experience in Europe,” he said. “We have spoken to many people about John’s abilities and there is only praise for his determination and skills.  We are thrilled he has agreed to join the 36ers next month.”

Williamson looks forward to joining the team: “It has been great dealing with the 36ers Club and now I am getting ready to come to Australia and join the team.   I have heard great things about the NBL and how supportive the fans are in Adelaide so I can’t wait to show them what I can do", he said.