New Sydney Kings import Damion James cheerfully admits he's jumped into a pretty crazy start with the struggling NBL team, but says he has a record of turning things around.
He was recruited as a short-term replacement for injury-prone Josh Childress, who is expected to be sidelined for four weeks with a broken finger.
Former Nets and Spurs NBA forward James was driven straight from Sydney Airport to Kings training on Thursday morning, with his suitcases sitting at courtside.
He boarded a flight to New Zealand a few hours later, with the Kings playing the Breakers in Auckland on Friday.
Having played most recently in France he only learnt earlier this week of the opportunity in Sydney.
James won't even see his new home court until an hour or two before his first game there on Sunday against Perth, which will be the Kings' last match in that building.
Asked how he got his head around such a dizzying start to his Kings career, a smiling James said: "You don't.
"Nah, it's pretty crazy, You just take it for what it is.
"I just look forward to playing however long I'm here and just giving it my all.
"I'm blessed to be able to play this game of basketball. It put me in the position to take care of my family, I can't complain.
"I look forward to coming into this great organisation and trying to help turn things around."
James was relishing the challenge of helping to revive the last-placed Kings, who have a 3-10 record and need to win at least one of his first two games to have any realistic hope of staying in playoff contention.
"That's the only reason I came (to Sydney), I've always been a guy that turns things around," James said.
"When I wasn't supposed to make it, I made it. I came here to win basketball games and once we start winning the whole city will be turned back around."
Asked what qualities he will bring to the Kings, James said: "Everything.
"I play inside, outside, rebounding, defence, passing.
"They can expect me to bring it, every possession."
James played a handful of games in the 2013-14 San Antonio Spurs NBA title-winning side, where he was a teammate of Australians Patty Mills and Aron Baynes.
"Great dudes," said James, who played against Mills at college level in the United States.
