Sydney Kings coach Andrew Gaze is embracing the expectation on his star-studded roster as they sit on top of the NBL table.
A four-game winning streak coupled with the arrival of former NBA guard Steve Blake this week have long-suffering Kings fans dreaming of an end to their title drought.
The Kings haven't been to the playoffs in six seasons and haven't looked like adding to their most recent trophy triumph in 2005.
"I'm sure now that with the reputation of some of these players, that people will be looking at us to say we have put together a roster that has a chance to win a title or at the very least, compete for one," Gaze said on Monday.
"I'd much rather have that and deal with the pressures of saying, 'gee you've got a talent', than going into a season and saying, 'crikies, you need a miracle in order to compete'."
Blake is set to arrive in Sydney on Thursday night and will have just two training sessions with his new teammates before playing against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday.
He averaged 4.4 points and 3.4 assists in 17 minutes a game for the Detroit Pistons last NBA season, and becomes the second former Los Angeles Laker to join the Kings in the past fortnight.
Gaze defended the acquisition of a 36-year-old point guard, arguing Blake will form a formidable three-guard rotation with reigning MVP Kevin Lisch and Jason Cadee.
"My experiences playing in the NBA are very brief, but if you're playing 17 minutes a game in the NBA, you've got some skill and you're still capable of playing at a very high level," he said.
"His role is such that we've got established ourselves with Jason and Kevin in the backcourt and he's going to come into that three-guard rotation.
"I think it'll provide us with some versatility and depth in that position. I think that he has the capacity to perform and play at a very high level."
Powell said Blake's competitiveness was respected throughout his 16 seasons in the NBA.
"Of course we can talk about his experience and the value in that, (but) just his competitive nature. I think that's something that's been well-respected in his career," Powell said.
"He's a no=nonsense type of guy. He has that type of attitude and grit about him. When it comes to winning, he'll do anything he can to get that team in that situation."
