Kings respond to Adelaide's 'body shaming' complaints

The Adelaide 36ers have lodged a formal complaint with the NBL over body-shaming comments made by Sydney Kings co-owner and assistant coach Andrew Bogut.

In another twist to the bitter ongoing championship series, the Sixers on Monday accused NBA legend Bogut of making "persistent and repeated personal attacks" towards 36ers owner Grant Kelley.

Reports emerged over the weekend that Bogut had confronted Kelley and made comments about his weight following Adelaide's defeat of the Kings in game two of the championship series.

In the wash-up from Friday's game, Bogut shared an image on Twitter that appeared to imply a likeness between Kelley and 'Family Guy' protagonist Peter Griffin.

On Sunday night, Bogut also insinuated on his Instagram story that Kelley had not confronted him after the third match as he was on his way to fast food outlet Hungry Jack's.

On Monday morning, the day after Sydney took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five championship series, the Sixers released a statement addressing the conduct of "a Sydney Kings co-owner and assistant coach".

Bogut is the only member of the Kings ownership group to sit on Brian Goorjian's coaching staff.

"The Adelaide 36ers are aware of persistent and repeated personal attacks by a Sydney Kings co-owner and assistant coach directed towards our owner Grant Kelley," the statement read.

"The 36ers understand that body shaming is not a joke, but rather a very real source of anxiety and emotional distress for people of all genders and ages. We also stand against cyber-bullying in all its forms.

"Accordingly, we have today given notice to the NBL of our concerns and will address the matter further with them and other regulatory authorities during the NBL off-season."

In reply, the Kings pointed to the adrenaline of the championship series as reason for the saga between Bogut and Kelley.

"Emotions run high during Championships, which we have seen from both sides over the past three games," chief executive Mark Thompson said in a statement.

"This series is shaping up to be one of the greats, and our focus is on supporting our players, coaches, support staff, and fans, and what happens on the court is our number one priority.

"As a club, we do not support any commentary from either team that goes beyond the court."

The series has proven similarly heated on the court.

On Sunday, 36ers coach Mike Wells vented his frustrations over the officiating of game three, claiming the referees had allowed Sydney to "beat up" NBL MVP Bryce Cotton.

The Kings gave up only four fouls after halftime, and no fouls were called on Matthew Dellavedova as he marked six-time NBL MVP Cotton.

"The main guy that's on Bryce Cotton had zero fouls ... they literally draped all over him," said an incredulous Wells.

"If they want to beat up the MVP and take him out, that's what the refs have allowed him to do."

The Sixers' hopes of a first title since 2002 hinge on a game-four win in Adelaide on Wednesday night.

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