Hoops

Phoenix v Breakers Jan 5

And since then we've seen Singapore, Gold Coast, Sydney, Brisbane...and the last team before the Dragons?

Not to mention the Dragons had a losing record in their first year and finished in the bottom half of the ladder.

Expecting to make playoffs in your first season is absurd.

Name the last expansion club to make finals in its first season.

SEM are doing decently for their first season, but it feels like the strategy was to just sign as many shooters as they could and everything else will sort itself out. Too unbalanced, which is the key fatal mistake teams make in this league each season.

My point is SEM have positioned themselves better for success in the next few seasons than Adelaide or Illawarra. It's not that hard to understand.

NZ played Sydney twice in round 3 and without Delaney to open the Breakers season. Ashley had just joined the team prior to going to the States for NBL/NBA so also didn’t play any Blitz or pre-season games.
1st game was close, 5 point loss.
2cnd game NZ lost by 10.

Round 4 NZ played United without Loe after he fractured his skull earlier in the round in a win over the Hawks. Delaney was still out with a foot injury.
NZ lost by 6.

Round 5 NZ played Perth still without Delaney and Loe and Hopson who was injured in the win against the Taipans earlier in the round.
NZ lost by 5.

Round 6 NZ were still without Delaney, Loe & Hopson but had added GRJ and played United.
NZ lost by 3.

Round 7 NZ played Perth without Loe, Hopson or GRJ.
NZ lost by 11.

NZ are 0/2 against Sydney, Melbourne United and Perth but Sydney is the only team to played them close to full strength and they were NZ’s first games of the season when they had just got back from the States.
I don’t think the gulf between a healthy Breakers and those other 3 teams is as large as everyone thinks because of NZ’s record.

At least with Roberson and Creek SEM are ahead of Adelaide and Illawarra too. They will be fine.

True test for NZB will be the upcoming 3 game stretch against Sydney, Melbourne United and Wildcats (@ Perth).

Lose all 3 and they're probably toast. They haven't got too flash of a record against those 3 this season I'd be guessing;

With Webster gone the ball is moving around and guys like Abercrombie and Delaney are getting more touches and more shots. It was too predictable before as everyone knew the ball was going to end up in Webster’s hands.

The Breakers have figured out that a 'big' lineup of Hopson, Ngatai, Abercrombie, Delany and Loe causes havoc on small guards. Had hoped Rusbatch would play more than he has to date, but Shamir has rotated the bench guys well (aside from Ater Majok).

That being said, the Breakers are known for being rubbish for most of the season and running on a decent winning streak to stay in it..

Very entertaining game. Best team won and deserved their result. Shamir has kept this side together very nicely. Ashleigh has been very good and should be kept if they can. Hopson is a gun and seems to follow Shamir around the globe and should stay. Get a true point guard to go with there NZ talent and they have a great side.

Phoenix have over performed, Creek has been great but is tiring carrying the load. Roberson been very good as well and Wesley is strong. Pineau has improved out site and been good but you don’t win the league with him as your starting 5 man. Mitchell has done a great job, they need to get better local talent.

13x 3’s = $26k donation

Creek has had multiple stuff ups.

Turnover central at the end here.

NZ throwing this game away

And unfortunately, Madgen is nowhere near the player he was before he left. If he had 2013 form, SEM would have won a couple more games this year;

Loe should have been called for a moving screen on that. Don't know how Roberson got called for the foul.

SEM just can't make baskets when its most needed;

NZ trying to bankrupt the franchise by bombing away from 3 in the 2cnd quarter. SE Melbourne refusing to go away and punching back every time NZ hit them with a score.

2 fouls each for Creek & Delaney, no sign of Ater Majok on NZ’s bench. They may have decided to donate his airfare to the Bushfire Appeal.

Sek Henry grabbing his calf and limping off isn’t a good sign for NZ.

Clearly need that Knox arena built sooner.

Homicide and Heal, hit the mute button.

They’re using a DP as cover for Benson which is a huge risk

Phoenix by 4.

Creek must be getting tired carrying the Phoenix, Wesley back having a few games under his belt should help. Hopson to be kept quieter by Creek could be the difference. Ashleigh staying out foul trouble is also a key, he smacks Pineau and NZ are back. Who knows, OT thriller and NZ by 1.

NZ have found a way to close out some tight games recently and will be feeling confident heading into this one.
SE Melbourne have parted ways with Benson which may be addition via subtraction and NZ without Weeks with a shoulder injury.
RJ is back but I think Shamir will bring him off the bench and run with a backcourt of Henry & Hopson.

NZ will donate $1000 for every 3ball they make and Matt Walsh will personally match that figure so I hope they bomb away from outside and donate a substantial figure.

NZ by 4.

Just wondering when the closest possible season is where we can get another team