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Sydney Kings star import Steve Blake says the NBL ball has been partly to blame for the shooting slump that has critics questioning his move to Australia.The former NBA guard has struggled offensively through his first four games in the royal purple, shooting just 26 percent from the field and an even lower 18 from long range.The 36-year-old admits he hasnt been at his best so far, but he is enjoying being a part of the ladder-leading Kings resurgence as an NBL force.Its been quite a good experience in some respects and tough in others, he said.Personally my basketball hasnt been at its best. Im struggling shooting the ball but I know there was going to be an adjustment period as far as that goes.But the teams been having a lot of success which has been a lot of fun. Its been a great group of guys and great coaches. Ive enjoyed that team atmosphere and winning basketball.An NBA veteran of over 14 years across eight different franchises, including two stints at the powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers, Blake said getting used to the NBL ball was a major issue.The Australian league uses a 100 percent composite leather Wilson ball, while the American association uses a full-grain leather Spalding ball.If you could hold an NBA ball to this ball, youd be like, Wow thats a huge difference, he said.NBA balls are true leather thats a lot smoother and a bit harder, maybe feels a little bit heavier, whereas this ball is really spongy and has a really different feel.For 13 years, thats all Ive practised with; an NBA ball. Its an adjustment period, but its also me missing shots. Id love to blame everything on the ball but some of it has to do with me.Coach Andrew Gaze praised Blake for contributing on the boards and defensively, and he remained confident his big-name recruit would begin converting his shots.Hed been working out and hes in great shape but hasnt been playing in a team environment since the end of the last NBA season, Gaze said.It takes a little while to get your legs underneath you, new guys, different officiating rules, rules of the game, all those things come into play.But hes settling in and I see no problems with him. He starts making some of those shots and thats an absolute bonus for us, which he clearly has the capacity to do.The Kings continue their season with a blockbuster against Perth on Thursday night.Custom Luke Appling Jersey . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. Luis Aparicio Jersey Large . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. http://www.customwhitesoxjersey.com/custom-carlton-fisk-jersey-large-501p.html . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Robin Ventura Jersey Large . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. Wholesale Custom White Sox Shirts . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999.France rallied from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat New Zealand 66-59 on Thursday, moving two victories from a spot in the Olympic basketball tournament.The French clinched first place in their Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, Philippines, and will play Turkey on Saturday in the semifinals. Canada will face New Zealand in the other semifinal.Mikael Gelabale scored seven of his 11 points in the fourth quarter for France. Boris Diaw, recently traded from San Antonio to Utah, finished with 10 points and six rebounds. The French, the tournament favorite, outscored New Zealand 28-11 in the fourth quarter.Corey Webster led New Zealland with 21 points.ddddddddddddIn the other game in Manila, Ali Muhammed scored 23 points as Turkey clinched its semifinal spot by beating Senegal 68-62. Semih Erden finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.The semifinals in the other two tournaments had already been set and will be held Friday. Italy will play Mexico, while Greece takes on Croatia in Turin, Italy.In Belgrade, Serbia, Latvia meets Puerto Rico, and Serbia hosts the Czech Republic.The winners of the three tournaments will earn the final three berths in Rio. ' ' '