The war of words between NBL heavyweights Melbourne United and the Sydney Kings has begun, with United bigman Josh Boone laying the challenge down to hyped Kings signing Andrew Bogut.
Bogut has dominated headlines since joining Sydney in the offseason, with the 2005 number one NBA draft pick helping the NBL reach unseen levels of publicity and coverage.
However, Boone has scoffed at the suggestion Bogut is the league’s premier centre, declaring he needs to come and take the crown off him.
GOULDING A CHANCE TO RETURN FOR CAIRNS CLASH: VICKERMAN
VICKERMAN OPEN TO KEEPING UNITED’S STARTING LINE-UP FLUID
“Get ready,” Boone told SEN Breakfast, when asked what his message to Bogut would be.
“To me it’s been interesting because all I’ve kept hearing about is there’s a new sheriff in town, this that and whatever.
“The fact is last year I was first-team All-NBL, I was the All-Star centre in this league and I feel like that’s something you have to take away from somebody.
“I’ll be ready for him and I’m sure he will be ready for me.
“I tend to get up for bigger match-ups. I tend to play a little bit harder and a little bit better when it’s a big match-up.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it, if nothing else, just so I can maybe stop hearing about him. It’s kind of all I’ve been hearing about since I signed this summer.”
Melbourne United take on the Sydney Kings on Monday November 5 (Cup Day Eve) at Melbourne Arena. Tickets are available HERE.
Boone added how there will be mouthwatering individual battles all over the court in the Melbourne Cup Eve blockbuster.
“It’s definitely a big match-up, you got marquee match-ups all across the board,” he said.
“You got Casper Ware versus Jerome Randle, you got D.J. Kennedy and Brad Newley, you got a healthy Kevin Lisch and Chris Goulding.
“It’s going to be an interesting one.”
Listen to Josh Boone’s chat with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson on SEN Breakfast in the player below