Kings co-captain Tom Garlepp dismissed claims Sydney have become too reliant on star import Josh Childress, who has been a stunning success in his first season in the NBL.
Improved performer: Kings co-captain Tom Garlepp drives to the basket in the recent clash with the Breakers. Photo: Getty Images
Childress, who has averaged 22 points per game while also filling up the box score with blocks, rebounds, steals and assists, has been a proven match-winner.
Garlepp said last week's victory over the Breakers, in which Childress saw less court time than usual due to an illness, put this theory to bed.
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A look at the best in sports photography from around the world. Photo: Reuters
"We do have depth, and we're not too concerned about being labelled a one-man team. We have confidence in each other."
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Buoyant after their 13-point toppling of the Breakers at the Kingdome, the Kings have found momentum after a stumbling start to the season and are confident of pulling off a three-game winning streak when they hit the road for a clash against the Wollongong Hawks this weekend.
"I think we've got a bit more of a bind to our game plan than we have had at previous times in the year," Garlepp said, but conceded that a lack of consistency continued to be the Kings' Achilles heel. At six wins and five losses, and just a few games shy of the mid-season point, the Kings are hovering just outside a top-four berth.
"I wouldn't say we're a consistent side," Garlepp said, "but we have a game plan and specific things we know we need to work on."
The Kings are keen to use Saturday's game to "improve defensively and keep moving the ball".
While the Kings have a 2-0 record against the Hawks this season, including a 29-point demolition the last time they met in the Gong, Garlepp said the team was taking nothing for granted.
"More than anything we've just got to come ready to play," he said. "We're not too worried about getting points. We really have to take care of business because they are a pretty dangerous side at the moment."
No specialised strategy has been devised for Saturday's game, but solid performances from point guards Kendrick Perry and Jason Cadee would be critical, Garlepp said. "If they can continue to do what they've been doing, then we will be fine. They've been great for us lately."
After the Hawks, the Kings will return home to host the top-of-the-table Perth Wildcats, against whom they are yet to pull a win this year. While Garlepp said the Kings were focused on taking it one game at a time, recent wins against the Breakers and the Tapians at the Kingdome proved their potential to take down the powerhouses. "Our focus when we do play them is to figure out where we let ourselves down last time, and rectify that," he said. "But I don't think we can afford to look past Wollongong."