Davis’ swagger wins over Melbourne star

The intense rivalry between Bryce Cotton and Kendric Davis has been the talk of the Hungry Jack’s NBL recently, following their altercation earlier this month at Afterpay Arena.

This incident, which was followed by subtle digs at one another, is the latest moment the two have exchanged barbs over the past three seasons.

While Cotton tried to play it down, saying ‘he doesn’t have any rivalries in the League’, the likes of Sydney’s Brian Goorjian, Perth’s John Rillie and Australian hoops legend Andrew Gaze believe the back-and-forth is good for the code.

Further to that, two-time NBL MVP Chris Anstey and former Sydney Kings captain Brad Rosen have called it the competition’s ‘best-ever rivalry’.

Now Melbourne United star Chris Goulding has weighed in on the simmering rivalry.

“It’s really interesting because Bryce is universally loved,” Goulding said to SEN 1116.

“He’s a three-time champion, six-time MVP, arguably the greatest or one of the greatest players ever.

“Usually when someone comes in like Kendric, and he’s got a bit of a swagger, he acts a certain way, you’d be like, that’s not right.

“[But] he just won the championship and was the Championship Series MVP.

“All the things he does, it’s like, well, is that conducive to winning? Well, yeah.

“He just backed it up and got the MVP and a championship.

“Two great players at the forefront of our League, with a bit of controversy, are really good for our League.”

Goulding is currently sidelined with a calf injury, but his United side next faces Perth at RAC Arena on Friday night.

That Round 6 fixture tips off at 9.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.