What makes a rivalry a rivalry?

Perth Wildcat versus Sydney Kings. Is it the NBL’s fiercest rivalry, or is there no rivalry at all?

It’s a question for the fans – many of which would argue there’s a little bit of extra spice in the game when these two teams meet.

Why? For starters they’re last year’s Grand Finalists, each possessing star guards who tend to face-off against one another.

Why not? Well, the Wildcats have defeated the Kings in eight of their last 10 games, including all three this season.

If you ask the Wildcats coach, it’s all irrelevant anyway.

“We just get out there and play, and do what we do,” said Trevor Gleeson.

“We’re used to travelling, we’re used to playing on the road and we just want to step over the line and play hard.

“The history of last year raised the bar up a little bit, but it’s just game number 19 for us. We don’t get high emotionally, or low emotionally. You’ve got to be even keel and keep improving.”

Perth have enjoyed success at Qudos Bank Arena of late, with their most recent loss at the NBL’s largest venue coming back in November 2019.

They meet their again on Thursday, and a unique element for Gleeson is that it will be his third-straight game against the Kings.

“We were pretty bad (on Thursday) I thought, but it’s good to get a win when you’re not playing well. I didn’t think we played particularly well, we weren’t as a sharp as we were early in the season against them,” he said.

“Hopefully we’ll get that sharpness back.”

The Wildcats are halfway through their 2020/21 campaign and sit on top of the ladder, while Sydney are fourth with a 10-10 record.

Tip-of on Thursday is at 5.30pm on ESPN and SBS On Demand.