Gaze admits Sydney Kings defence is poor

Sydney Kings coach Andrew Gaze says his bottom of the table NBL team is a poor defensive side with a long way to go to show the standard necessary in that area.

Andrew Gaze

Kings coach Andrew Gaze has admitted his team's poor defence has sunk their NBL season. (AAP)

Andrew Gaze admits his Sydney Kings are a poor defensive side and understands why people are questioning his position, but says he's no quitter.

The last-placed Kings have a 5-14 record and are giving up a league worst 93 points a game.

While the roster was reinforced by the mid- season acquisition of well- credentialed imports Jerome Randle and Jeremy Tyler, the Kings have continued bleeding big scores.

Coach Gaze believes he has the right defensive strategy and is teaching it properly, but feels it's not being applied consistently by his players.

"Strategy is one part of it, and then there's also that single mindedness, determination, that commitment to play defence," Gaze told AAP.

"We've tried to be as frank as we can with some of the players, and say 'It doesn't matter what system you are going to execute, if that's your level of application it's highly unlikely its going to to be successful.'

'"But the reality of it is we're a poor defensive team.

"We're working through ways in which we can do better in that area, with only limited success.

"We continue to try to work on that, but at this point in time we understand we've got along way to go."

As the losses mounted and the Kings finals hopes dwindled, Gaze's position has come under more scrutiny.

He has one more season of his three -year contract to go and has no intention of walking away early. But he understands and expects management to review his position.

"I don't quit, there's no quit in me," Gaze said.

"I don't think it's unreasonable if I am the owner of this team, to look at and say 'Why haven't we got the performances?'. And I'm extremely accountable for that, there's no doubt about that.

"Absolutely there should be questions asked, or an investigation into the performance of me and all the coaches."

There was a positive for Gaze on Thursday, as guard Kevin Lisch got through 20 minutes of his first competitive and defensive training session for several months following two calf tears.

"He's not going to be playing against Perth (on Saturday), but we're hopeful in a week, or so he will be available to return," Gaze said.

Jeremy Tyler (knee) Jason Cadee (groin) and Brad Newley (back) will all suit up against Perth despite nursing niggles.


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world