By Sean Teuma

Copyright news

On the back of a disappointing home loss at the hands of title favourites Melbourne United, Goorjian isn’t backing down from the challenge of a red-hot 36ers side.

With his side slipping to a 2-1 start to the season, he said it’s time for the Kings to stand up among the big guns.

“I think as an organisation and as a team it’s time for us to win a game like this,” he said.

“It’s early in the year and we’re starting to get going and everything and getting better, but we need to go and win a game like this.”

Davis finished second in the MVP race behind Bryce Cotton last year, with Adelaide moving to sign the Wildcats legend and Davis moving to the Harbour City.

There’s been plenty of talk from both camps about his departure from the 36ers, including former Adelaide import Montrezl Harrell comparing him to a “bitter ex”.

It promises to be a hostile atmosphere for Davis in front of a packed Adelaide Entertainment Centre, but Goorjian said the Kings had to take the fight to the undefeated side.

“Walk into the fire,” he said.

“Paint the picture of what we’re walking into…… we know what we’re walking into.

“Gloves off and let’s go.”

The Kings will be buoyed by a return to form from Xavier Cooks, who had 21 points against United, but Goorjian admitted that the former MVP needed work at the free-throw line after hitting just 1-10.

“Putting the ball in his hands, we’re trying to have him carry it and play like a point forward,” he said.

“In the post position, having him pull their five out and letting him play off the bounce.

“I thought tonight they played big, so the match-up on him was difficult for them. They had a big body on him and he was tough to keep.

“He created shots for people, he got on the rim. I thought it was a tireless effort.

“Some of the plays he made. The tips, the second-effort shots, were huge.

“You look at his numbers if the free throws go in, that’s an MVP-type thing. You add that to our scoreline and we’ve got a chance to win.

“It’s just something he’s got to work at and get better at.”