Saints, Sharks loom large in NBL
Replicating perfection is the furthest thing on the minds of the Wellington Saints.
The benchmark of the National Basketball League (NBL) will be gunning for a three-peat and their fourth title in five years when the new season tips off tomorrow.
Wellington would love nothing better than to send departing coach Kevin Braswell off in style before he links with the New Zealand Breakers. Braswell has taken over from Paul Henare as Breakers coach on a three-year deal, but will see out his duties with the Saints.
They became the first Kiwi NBL side in history to go unbeaten last season, winning all 20 games on their path to the silverware. The Saints are on a 24-game winning run, not having lost since May 22, 2016, against the Southland Sharks in Invercargill.
Every team in the league lifts another gear when facing the Saints as they look to grab their prized scalp, but Braswell stressed they were only worried about themselves.
‘‘From the season we had last year, I don’t have expectations to replicate that. It’s very rare that you’ll do that.
‘‘What I want to go back to is what me and [former assistant] Zico [Coronel] always said last year, just playing the best basketball. Play to our standards, don’t play to no-one in the league, don’t play to the score. We’re just going to play the best basketball we possibly can.’’
The Saints will miss the offensive firepower of Tall Blacks guard Corey Webster, whose professional commitments overseas won’t see him return. Dominant big man Tai Wesley’s status is doubtful as he enjoys his first off-season in four years. If Wesley does suit up for the Saints it will be at the end of the regular season.
In Webster’s absence, point guard Shea Ili will be pivotal and Braswell is expecting him to have a major impact. Ili’s star is on the rise after a standout season with the Breakers where he was named most improved player in the Australian NBL. The 25-year-old was MVP of the New Zealand finals last season and also made the All Star Five.
Kiwi forwards Leon Henry, BJ Anthony and Jordan Ngatai will be key men on a Saints’ roster that is noticeably younger from past seasons. Braswell is excited about their import trio, guards Shaun Bruce, LJ Peak, and Sudaneseborn Australian centre Majok Majok.
‘‘I think Majok is going to dominate this league with rebounding. He’s a helluva rebounder. I think he’s going to have a phenomenal year for us. He’s great in the post too.’’
Judd Flavell-coached Southland loom as the biggest threat to ending Wellington’s stranglehold on the title. Southland have retained a stable Kiwi core, including Alex Pledger, Reuben Te Rangi, Derone Raukawa, Luke Aston and Australian-born James Hunter, who holds a New Zealand passport. They have nabbed Australian point guard Jarrad Weeks, fresh off signing a two-year deal with the Breakers, and athletic US swingman Orlando Coleman.
‘‘They’ve added some good pieces down there to what they had last year. They’re going to be tough like they are every year,’’ Braswell said. ‘‘I’m sure they’re going to be a little bit more uptempo this year with Jarrad Weeks going down there because he loves to push the ball.’’
The Nelson Giants, who missed the finals last season, are tipped to be much-improved under new Australian coach Jamie Pearlman. Nelson have lured veteran Tall Black Mika Vukona back to the Giants, but he will miss the opening month of the season. They have also snapped up Tall Blacks forward Tohi Smith-milner, an ANBL title winner with Melbourne United.
Braswell’s former assistant Coronel is coaching the Bay Hawks and they have recruited well, adding Dion Prewster, Ethan Rusbatch and Mitch Newton to their homegrown contingent.
The Giants, Hawks and Jeff Green’s Super City Rangers will likely be battling for two finals spots with Wellington and Southland title frontrunners.
Super City boast a wealth of experience in Lindsay Tait and 42-year-old former Tall Black and Breakers general manager Dillon Boucher.
The Rangers are still to confirm their third import, alongside US talents Okesene Ale and Clayton Wilson.
Tai Wynyard, who is visiting US colleges after being released following a forgettable stint at Kentucky, could be an option later in the season for the Rangers. He is understood to have verbally committed to the Auckland side should he return to New Zealand.
The Canterbury Rams will field a youthful side and be heavily reliant on their American trio of guard Xavier Thames, who was selected in the 2014 NBA draft, and forwards Winston Shepard and Julian Washburn.
Taranaki are attempting to end a long finals drought and will be without stalwart Aaron Baileynowell, who has been the heart and soul of the side for many years.
The Manawatu¯ Jets are back in the league for the first time since 2015 after two years out because of financial troubles. With a young local squad they will find the going tough and be wooden spoon favourites, but will be targeting respectability.
Manawatu¯ will be strengthened by the addition of naturalised forward Marcel Jones, who made the All Star Five in 2016 and 2017 at the Rams. Jones is a former Jet, playing for them in 2009 and 2012-13.