NBL: Faithfull marvels at Kings turnaround as title beckons

Manly Warringah star guard Indiana Faithfull says it’s immeasurable just how far the Sydney Kings have come since he was at the franchise.

The Harbour City club is just one win away from winning this season’s NBL championship, taking a 2-0 grand-final series lead into its clash against the Tasmania JackJumpers at Qudos Bank Arena on Wednesday night.

Faithfull – averaging 18 points per game for the dual defending-champion Sea Eagles in this year’s NBL1 East competition – was at the Kings when they won the wooden spoon after the 2015-16 season, finishing with a 6-22 record.

“They’re completely different. They’re so professional right now. You look at their roster and they’re so talented, and they’re really fun to watch,” he told BettingSite.com.au.

“They’re obviously the competition favourites, and right now with the winning streak they’re on (triumphing in their past five games) they’re bloody hard to beat.

“Jaylen Adams, Xavier Cooks (have impressed me). If you go through their roster everyone is playing well.”

Faithfull said the Sea Eagles were starting to build similar momentum after their 76-64 win over Bankstown at Warriewood on Sunday.

Faithfull was one of the standouts with 19 points (three from six three-pointers), while captain Steven White (22 points, with two from six three-pointers) drove through the paint and shot well.

“He (White) is our captain. He’s the heart and soul, and the engine of this team. We love having him,” Faithfull said.

Faithfull said Manly – like the Kings – buys into a strong team-based culture.

“Everyone’s unselfish and no one cares about the stat line – we just want to win, have fun and do it together,” he said.

The Sea Eagles started the season with a 1-3 record but have won their past three games to now sit at 4-3 ahead of Saturday’s clash away to Illawarra (also 4-3).

“We had a slow start to the season. We still haven’t really found our feet, but winning games is the most important thing, right?” Faithfull said.

“You look at our squad and it’s deep. We can go with any kind of rotation and any guy on the court.

“And we can bring energy.”

The Bruins kept coming at the Sea Eagles in the third quarter, twice getting to within a point, but the hosts – led by White’s energy – kept finding an extra gear.

According to Faithfull, that kind of resilience under pressure sums up why Manly is the team to beat in NBL1 East.

“I think it has been the hallmark of the team throughout the past few years, and that’s why we’ve been so successful,” he said.

“It’s not one guy who’s doing everything. In any game we’ve got different guys who can help out and play together.”

Faithfull – who also played for Illawarra at NBL level in the 2017-18 season – said he hasn’t had to impart much of that elite experience on his teammates.

“This is my third year here and these guys don’t miss a beat – it’s the Manly culture and the Manly way,” he said.

“That’s why this team has been so successful. I’m not bringing anything extra at all – it’s all these guys.

“That’s why it’s such a great group to play with. We’re going for a three-peat.”

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