Sydney coach Andrew Gaze has accepted some blame for Todd Blanchfield's frustrating NBL campaign with the Kings as they prepare to face the rejuvenated sharpshooter on Friday.
Blanchfield averaged only 9.1 points per game in his sole season under Gaze at the Kings in 2017-18.
He has subsequently flourished since moving south to Wollongong, averaging 15.8 ppg to sit second on the Hawks scoring stats behind former league MVP Brian Conklin.
Blanchfield was used in a number of positions by Gaze and it was only in the Kings late season purple patch that he consistently displayed his best form.
"Todd's issues that he had last year ... I think he could put the blame more on me and out coaching staff because of the changing of the players and the changing of our personnel," Gaze said on Tuesday.
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"He played as a guard, he played as a (small) forward, he played as a power forward and he never really found that consistency.
"Towards the end he did and he played great. We were really disappointed not to have him this season, he's a great guy, a great team guy.
"We want nothing but the best for him, except against us."
Blanchfield returns to Sydney for the first time this week, and is looking to maintain his early season form under Hawks' coach Rob Beveridge.
"He is playing really well so far this season in Bevo's system, I think it's a really good season for him to be in," Gaze said.
Gaze was wary of Beveridge's penchant and aptitude for switching defensive systems, something Sydney struggled with in their early season losses to Adelaide.
"We didn't handle it well," he said.
"These guys do it in a slightly different way but we've got to get used to that and have a plan how we're going to deal with it, or else they're going to have the advantage."
