Melbourne United and Sydney Kings lit the first sparks in what promises to be a fiery rivalry during their preseason showdown at Bendigo Stadium on Thursday night.
Rio Olympic teammates Andrew Bogut and Chris Goulding came face to chest in the final minutes after Goulding objected to Bogut’s clash with Melbourne forward Craig Moller.
Melbourne United guard Chris Goulding (centre left) and Sydney Kings center Andrew Bogut (right) at the pre-season NBL jersey launch.
On the scoreboard Melbourne claimed a 93-85 win over the highly-rated Kings, and did so despite being without imports Casper Ware and Josh Boone.
Melbourne enjoyed the fruits of a balanced offence with five players scoring double figures, led by Alex Pledger (18 points, 10 rebounds) and Mitch McCarron (15 points, eight assists).
The Kings showed their scoring prowess with Jerome Randle (21 points) and Kevin Lisch (18 points) leading the way, but defensively Sydney showed they have plenty to improve on as Melbourne repeatedly broke them down, especially in the final term.
Fortunately for fans of both sides, and the Kings' hopes of exacting swift revenge, the two clubs meet again at the State Basketball Centre on Saturday night.
Star power: Andrew Bogut unveils his No.6 jersey after signing for the Sydney Kings.
New signing Mitch McCarron said Melbourne didn’t care who they were missing, they were out to win.
“I don’t think we are going to buy too much into the imports being out, we know they are super talented and going to help us a lot but it was about us tonight,” McCarron said.
“We are trying to win and I’m sure the Kings are doing the same thing. Sure, we will test some things out, but our goal is to win every game we play.”
Melbourne are the reigning champions and McCarron said he was learning plenty about the culture within his new side, and also praised Goulding for sticking up for his teammates.
“They have an established culture here and I’m super happy to be a part of it,” McCarron said.
Toweled out: Andrew Bogut fans the fire that is this season’s rivalry with fellow Boomer Chris Goulding.
“We back each other up, we stand together, and right or wrong we battle through it.”
Sydney star Kevin Lisch said the game was a “preseason” contest in name only and he expected all the contests between the two clubs to be played at the highest level.
“It may say preseason but for us it’s a game and once you cross the line those things can happen,” Lisch said.
“Those things happen a lot in Australian basketball because people are passionate and prideful and that’s what makes this league special as well.”
The Kings showed some frustration in the final minutes and Lisch said his side needed some reality after lofty expectations were placed on them leading into the season.
“This is what you want in preseason – I think we all realise this isn’t the fairytale that everyone writes about,” Lisch said.
“We can make it into that but there is a lot of work that needs to be done.
“Giving up 94 points was too much, Chris Goulding will hit some tough shots and you pat him on the bottom and move on but we can’t be giving up easy layups and those kinds of things.
“Those are all things preseason is for and if we learn from them we will be fine.”
Goulding sought out Bogut post game for a handshake and they will lead their sides back onto the court on Saturday.
“Everyone shakes hands at the end and we will go at it again in a couple of days,” Lisch said.
Melbourne United and Sydney Kings play at the State Basketball Centre, Wantirna South on Saturday at 7pm.
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