King on the throne

Among the three-time National Basketball League (NBL) defending champion Sydney Kings now in town to play the national pool in a two-game series, the most sovereign of them all is skipper C.J. Bruton.

The 6-2 point guard sits majestically on the Kings throne. He’s the reigning Kingpin, the chief playmaker who runs the show on the floor. He wields the baton and the team plays to his beat.

Bruton, 29, is the only King who saw action for Australia at the Athens Olympics last year. Kings coach Brian Goorjian called the shots for the national team, known as the Boomers, in Athens.

The Boomers’ showing in Athens was far from eventful. The Aussies posted only two wins, 83-59 over Angola and 98-80 over New Zealand, compared to four losses, 76-54 to Greece, 89-79 to the US, 87-82 to Puerto Rico and 100-85 to Lithuania. The ninth place finish was Australia’s worst in the Olympics since failing to qualify for Munich in 1972.

Bruton took his spot in the limelight as he banged in 11 points, including 3-of-6 triples, in the win over the Kiwis.

Bruton’s father Cal was a 5-8 Wichita State star who initially played in the NBL as an import in 1979 and took out Australian citizenship three years later. Cal metamorphosed from being a player to a playing coach to a head coach in the NBL. He played up to 1989 and is considered an NBL legend. Cal also played for the Australian national squad.

Cal grew up in Brooklyn and was only seven when his father Thomas, a garage manager, was stabbed to death in a brutal work-related murder. His mother Ann was an alcoholic.

Life was difficult for Bruton’s father who contemplated suicide after he was cut from the San Antonio Spurs tryouts camp. He jumped into a river, not knowing how to swim, but the water was only waist-deep. He overdosed on a drug called "angel dust" in the streets and was hospitalized. Luckily, Cal was rescued by a friend, former Golden State Warriors guard Ricky Marsh who nursed him back to health, physically and mentally.

Cal drove a garbage truck before he was offered a playing job in Australia in 1979. It was the best thing that ever happened to him. He eventually brought his wife Trish and their two sons, Elliott and C. J., to live in Australia. A third son Austin was born "down under."

Bruton, born in Wichita, made his NBL debut for Perth in 1994 as an 18-year-old rookie. Then he enrolled at Indian Hills Community College and played for the junior college varsity for two years. Bruton was offered an athletic scholarship by Iowa State coach Tim Floyd but the NCAA declared him ineligible for having played a year in the NBL under contract.

"I feel C. J. was a pawn," said his father Cal, quoted by Laine Clark. "He only played one year for Perth and earned $10,000 and the NCAA used him as an example. Iowa State showed a lot of faith in him and appealed but lost. C. J. became the one player out of hundreds of international players who play professionally and go to America and play college basketball (and get punished)."

Stripped of NCAA eligibility, Bruton was picked on the second round by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1997 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. Portland acquired his rights in a draft day trade with the Grizzlies. But Bruton played in the NBL instead. Two years later, he made a serious try in making the Blazers roster.

Bruton averaged five points, 1.8 assists and 19.8 minutes in trying out for the Blazers at the Rocky Mountain Revue summer league. But the effort wasn’t enough to convince Portland coach Mike Dunleavy to take a chance on Bruton. There just wasn’t playing time left for another point guard after Blazers regulars Damon Stoudamire and Greg Anthony.

Bruton never gave up hope and in 2000, almost broke into the Portland lineup. He was released just before the season started. He went on to play in the Continental Basketball Association and Venezuela before returning to the NBL.

Bruton left the Canberra Cannons to sign with the Kings in 2003. He played a key role in the Kings’ title runs the last two seasons. Two of his import teammates were Chris Carrawell (2003-04) and Mark Sanford (2004-05).

Bruton has enjoyed a colorful career in the NBL. His first NBL basket was a three-pointer on a heave from over 50 feet. He holds the NBL record of nine triples in a game during the 2004 Finals. He was the NBL’s Most Improved Player in 1999. He has played on two champion teams. And last season, he averaged 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists (fourth overall) and 1.8 steals (fifth overall). He ranked second in three-point shooting at .416.

What makes Bruton such a threat in offense is his ability to knock down the three and to score off the dribble. He has blinding speed, incredible basketball IQ as a point guard and extreme court vision.

Pro Basketball Today scribbled scouting notes on the Kings’ top players in its Sept. 29, 2004, issue. Here are excerpts:

C. J. Bruton: "Excellent ballhandler and devastating, if inconsistent, outside shooter. Stepped into some very big shoes and produced good numbers in 03-04. Nine triples in Game 1 of the 2004 title series, an all-time record. Adequate defensively but needs to improve in that area."

Luke Martin: "Brilliant ballhandler with tremendous quicks and an improving perimeter game. Devastating in transition. Needs to improve defensively. Was outstanding in 03-04 playoffs especially in Game 1 of the Brisbane series. Will break into the top 10 of this list within three years. A rare talent."

B. J. Carter: "At one stage in 03-04, led the NBL in three-point shooting. Excellent perimeter shooter. Big-time scorer in the Australian Basketball Association. Must get better with his ballhandling and decision-making."

Graeme Dann: "Physically very gifted. Still learning how to play. Can put it on the floor. Inconsistent from the perimeter. Makes rookie mistakes at times. Plays hard but needs to play smarter to get out of Brian Goorjian’s doghouse."

Brad Sheridan: "Perennial all-defensive pick. Very long and athletic. Can defend all positions on the floor. Excellent outside shooter, especially from the corners. No mid-range game to speak of. Good offensive rebounder. Tends to go with the flow too much at times."

Ben Knight: "The ultimate journeyman. Has played for six NBL clubs. Very physical. A bull in the low post. Has good face-up game and decent outside range. Excellent rebounder. Loves to get in transition. Works his backside off every game."

David Barlow: "Phenomenally talented. Has great handles at 6-9. Can blow by you for the jam or step back and hit a three. Good rebounder. Makes rookie mistakes defensively. Needs to develop his low post game."

Brett Wheeler: "An absolute warrior who gives everything he’s got and then some. Excellent rebounder. Tough in the low post. Efficient offensively. Has led the NBL in field goal percentage three seasons. Was magnificent in 03-04 title series. A class act."

The Kings play the Philippines-Purefoods Supremo Cane Vinegar Team B at the PhilSports Arena tonight. Team B is made up of Willy Miller, Mark Caguioa, James Yap, Brandon Cablay, Tony de la Cruz, Kelly Williams, Danny Seigle, Eric Menk, Rafi Reavis, Dorian Peña and Romel Adducul.