Basketball: Insults fly before clash in Sydney

SYDNEY - A heated rivalry at the best of times, tonight's Australian National Basketball League clash between the Sydney Kings and West Sydney Razorbacks is threatening to boil over as the war of words between the two clubs continues.

Razorbacks skipper Scott McGregor incited the latest round of insults by referring to the Kings as "those wankers across the road" on Wednesday.

Sydney coach Brian Goorjian labelled the comments as "plain dumb" and skipper Jason Smith promised to teach McGregor a new word - loser - at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Razorbacks chief executive Robbie Cadee did nothing to tone down the spat yesterday, when he dragged out a comment Goorjian made two years ago.

"You have to give it to the Kings, they've done brilliantly," Cadee said. "But when [Goorjian] painted his team as well-off, well-dressed and boasting good-looking girlfriends while inferring that westies were ugly and uneducated with his famous 'Ugg boot wearing, bad teeth and tattoos' words then, I've got to tell you: Scott McGregor's not the only person who thinks they're up themselves.

"None of us who have been at the club for any length of time will ever forget that classic. It was a spectacular insult to all of us who live in the west.

"I'm not endorsing McGregor's language, and we've spoken with him about being more careful about his wording in future public speaking, but the sentiments are understood."

The Kings have held the upper hand over their cross-city rivals the past three years, holding a 9-5 win-loss record, including a 3-2 victory in the 2004 grand final series.

The second-placed Kings are riding a five-game winning streak into the game with West Sydney, languishing in 10th place after three straight losses.

- AAP