Comfortable and connected Kenyon says Kings performance is a baseline

Matt Kenyon says the Adelaide 36ers’ win over the Sydney Kings on Sunday sets a baseline for what the group is capable of, particularly on the defensive end.

The Sixers restricted the reigning NBL champions to just 78 points, including just 12 points in the third quarter, on their way to the 84-78 win.

It was by far the Kings’ lowest scoring game of the season and the first time they’d tasted defeat in the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 campaign.

Kenyon was instrumental in restricting former Sixer Kendrick Davis to just 16 points – ending a run of 20 straight matches where Davis had scored 20 points or more.

But Kenyon wasn’t taking all of the credit after the game.

“I think that was probably the most connected we’ve been in a long time,” he said.

“I don't think we've been connected on the court throughout most of the season so far and all it takes is one win to really get going.

“Now we’ve got to string it along and bring that every game.

“But, yeah, I loved how connected we were. Like, it wasn't just me on Kendrick – it was everyone.

“I felt everyone behind me, hearing everyone behind me, so credit to the boys.”

Kenyon said the defensive intent shown throughout the trip to Afterpay Arena had set a standard for what the group needed to bring every game.

“We haven't been performing the way we want to, obviously,” Kenyon said.

“But we know what we're capable of, and I think it was just on the defensive end and just being super aggressive.

“We know they kind of like to pack the paint and blitz Bryce, so it's just being super aggressive offensively and then I think it really started defensively.

“That's where we get going and then offence will come from there.

“Now we've shown what we can do, and we know what we can do,” he added.

“We know as a group we have pretty much the exact same team bar one or two, so we know, but yeah… that's the baseline now for sure.”

As well as his defensive efforts, Kenyon played his part across the court, with a season-high 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists as well as one block and one steal.

But despite his impressive contribution, the former Bullets, JackJumper and Phoenix guard was most proud of his defensive impact.

“I think I did a pretty good job on Kendrick,” he explained.

“He’s obviously a great player. And that's where I get going.

“Honestly, it's nice to make shots, but I don't really care to be honest. I want to impact the game.

“Like I said, it was nice to make shots, but at the same time, like the defensive end is where I can impact the team.

“That's my job and I know I've been able to do that for a long time so it's nice to be able to show that tonight.”

After 172 games and into his eighth NBL campaign, Kenyon knows his best role and how he fits in with the Sixers, and it is seemingly paying off as he averages four points, 3.4 rebounds, one assist and one steal per game in an average of 16.3 minutes of game time.

“I feel really comfortable out there to be honest,” he explained of his strong form.

“I feel I've been around the league for a long time and my mind's right, my body's right and I’m at that age where I feel really good, and we’ve got a really good group.

“I feel good and super connected to the group, so that's nice.”

Kenyon and his teammates will face one of his former sides, Tasmania on Friday night in Hobart from 7:00pm ACDT – the club’s second straight away game in a four-game stretch.