NBL coaching great Brian Goorjian has reluctantly weighed into a spicy MVP debate after star Sydney guard Kendric Davis issued his latest emphatic statement.
Davis scored 30 points and added 10 assists in 32 minutes to easily lead the Kings past the in-form Perth, who had won nine of their last 10 games, 102-84 on Sunday.
His performance came hot on the heels of Adelaide star Bryce Cotton’s 42-point haul that lifted the 36ers past New Zealand.
Cotton, a five-time league MVP, has averaged a league-best 24.7 points and 7.5 assists in 38 minutes per game in his first season with the Sixers since a bombshell switch from Perth.
“If you’re not voting for Bryce Cotton, who’s been the best player in this league since the day he got here, I want to know why,” coach Mike Wells declared post-game of the 33-year-old.
“I want to see the votes. It’s not even close. The MVP race is over today.”
Kings coach Goorjian said his father had always taught him “control what you do” and not to focus on other’s opinions.
But with Davis averaging 24.1 points, 6.7 assists and four rebounds per game he felt compelled to put forward a case for his marquee man.
“We’ve played them (Adelaide) four times, beaten them three and he’s having a season that goes down in Sydney Kings history as one of the best individual performances of any player to put on this uniform,” he said after Sunday’s win.
“Him as a leader, him as a person. He’s ticked a lot of boxes.”
Cotton beat Davis to the honour last season, the pair then making shock transfers from Perth and Adelaide respectively.
The victor will be crowned on February 23 ahead of a finals series that would explode should the Kings and 36ers – currently ranked first and second – meet in the best-of-five finals series.
“No it’s not over. We’re still playing, the captains and players vote and no-one’s voted yet,” Goorjian said.
“And … (Perth import forward Kristian) Dolittle is a stud.
“(South East Melbourne’s Nathan) Sobey’s having a year like no other, as is their team.
“I don’t want to do this, but I want (everyone) to know it’s not over and we wouldn’t trade Kendric for anybody. He’s definitely special.”
The Kings, who won a 10th-straight game on Sunday, can lock up top spot with victory against the struggling, last-placed Brisbane on the road this Friday.
Goorjian won the first of his six NBL titles in 1992 and claimed a three-peat with the Kings between 2003-05.
“It’s been this way for months,” he said, explaining why there would be no complacency.
“All of this work and we have a chance (to finish on top) … we leave it on the floor.”
The Bullets (6-26) have lost their last 12 games but Goorjian expects interim coach Darryl McDonald, who he coached at the Victoria Titans in 1998, to make them earn it.
“To keep this team competing is credit to him,” Goorjian said.
“It’s their last game this season, at home; I’m expecting him to bring it.
“He’ll have something up his sleeve for sure.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/its-not-over-kings-stars-clinic-spices-up-mvp-race-c-21649180
