Hoops

Why do NZ persist with budget imports?

When the Breakers had their dynasty it didn't take as much money as it does now to be one of the big spenders. Time has changed and total monetary spend has shifted upwards.

I don't think you can say that the guys who get cut from the NBA teams at the end of the month are of NBA standard. if they were, they wouldn't have been cut.

Answer is in the question, GM said they are on budget but if one of main local players goes down they can bring in decent replacement with new import.

Even as a NZ fan, i'd admit we were fortunate to go through a really good period where we were able to have a very strong core of very good TB's playing for us at really good $ rates (supplemented by 'unofficial' NZNBL top ups). There were a few years there where our rosters were really set and we only needed to put the cherries on top with good imports.

However, with Vukona and Penney slowing down significantly, Abercrombie seemingly declining a tad/not kicking on the same, Webster overseas, Boucher having retired a few years ago and Pledger's development not having quite taken off - we haven't got the same quality of core as we once did; we do need to acknowledge this and look to up our recruitment

I can understand we won't to develop local talent but it's a fine balance between doing that and still being competitive (results get the $ and consumer interest).

If they do want to get the best of both worlds (local talent and results); they should throw some coin at Fotu and/or Tai Webster next year to get them back.

Still didn't agree with cutting Corey Webster.

Are NBA teams making cuts at the end of the month?

Adelaide, Sydney, New Zealand (heck even Perth and Cairns could cut an underperforming PF import) could be waiting for NBA calibre imports to improve these rosters

When the Breakers had their dynasty it didn't take as much money as it does now to be one of the big spenders. Time has changed and total monetary spend has shifted upwards.

Their imports scored OK. Penney however.

I believe they work to a budget these days and prioritise their local players.

That was ugly. Too many TO's, poor shooting, poor defence by both teams. Cairns ground it out.

I don't think it's a mystery. The commentary team mentioned $$$ tonight, and I'd say Dillard's play last season probably priced him right out of NZ. The price of putting together a championship-caliber team right now is a good deal beyond 3 years ago and I guess the Breakers just don't have the finances for it.