Sydney Kings star import Josh Powell admits he still needs time to adjust to the officiating in the NBL after an eventful start to his stint in Australia.
Since arriving in the harbour city last week, the two-time NBA championship-winner has helped the Kings surge to the top of the ladder with two wins from as many games in round two.
He was perfect from the field on his way to 16 points and eight rebounds on debut against Illawarra, however he fouled out in 22 minutes.
He then scored eight points and grabbed seven board in 16 minutes against Cairns before being benched for an unsportsmanlike foul on Taipans forward Mark Worthington.
Powell shoved the former Boomer after picking up an offensive foul in the fourth quarter of a physical encounter that included Kevin Lisch failing to finish the game due to concussion.
"It might look as though I lost my cool, but I'm good," Powell told AAP on Tuesday.
"I do understand that people are going to do things and try and get you upset, or get you mentally out of the game. For me, I'm always locked in. It was just one of those moments.
"Our point guard, our captain, got beat up pretty bad that game. For me, I took it upon myself, considering everything going on ... but it's never personal."
The former Los Angeles Laker said he is well-equipped to handle being a target for both opposition players and referees, having now played in eight different countries over his career.
He welcomed the challenge of fighting fire with fire should referees not make calls.
"International ball, they talk about it being physical, but they also talk about the lack of things being called, so which one is it?" Powell said.
"Just like with Kevin - you get a guy get laid out, and then you'll call a touch foul. It's different everywhere, you just have to adjust to it. I don't have a problem with that.
"If it's physical, I can get more physical too. Some games they might let you get away with things, other games they might not. So when they don't, you've got to adjust."
The Kings travel to New Zealand to take on the Breakers on Thursday before meeting the Hawks again at home on Monday.
