Confident Breakers coach shrugs off pre-season issues
It’s lucky new Breakers coach Kevin Braswell isn’t the self-doubting type. The former title-winning Breakers point guard has not exactly been handed a propitious pre-season programme with which to prepare for his first assignment as a head coach at the Australian NBL level.
Braswell will have four games to sharpen his squad ahead of their October 11 season opener against the Brisbane Bullets at Spark Arena in Auckland.
Four lousy hitouts. And, for the first time in a while, none in New Zealand.
They will play three games at the league’s annual Blitz tournament in Victoria from September 20-23 (Perth, Illawarra and Cairns), and then travel all the way to Arizona to take on the Phoenix Suns in their home arena on October 3 for their first ever crack at an NBA side.
That’s a quality finish to the buildup, but nonetheless it’s a barren schedule. A risky one, too, truth be told. Over the other side of the ditch rival sides will be ticking up doubledigit preparation hitouts as they sharpen their edges for the real stuff.
Other factors add to the degree of difficulty. Braswell is bringing in new systems and concepts that have to be learned; he has three players travelling halfway round the world with the Tall Blacks over the next fortnight; and two latecomers to integrate in returning shooting guard Corey Webster and import replacement Shawn Long who only arrived yesterday.
In total he has seven new faces in a season of unprecedented change – though two, in Webster and Tai Wesley, are returning to the club – and faces one heck of a challenge for a young coach setting out his stall at the professional level.
Braswell, who oozes the confidence you would expect from someone who forged an outstanding college and pro career as a savvy southpaw playmaker, has zero doubts he can get his lineup game ready for October 11 and the muchanticipated return of Mika Vukona with the Brisbane Bullets.
‘‘All these guys are experienced, [new imports] Armani [Moore] and Patrick [Richard] have been playing in Europe at a high level, Shawn has played in the NBA . . . these guys are pros, and they can handle it,’’ the rookie head coach told Stuff.
‘‘The second time I came down with the Breakers I didn’t even get here till September 18 and we played October 4. My [Kiwi NBL] team Wellington changed the week before the season started. It’s about making sure these guys are prepped physically. So long as they’re physically there, we’ll get the effort, and I know we have the talent to compete.’’
Braswell does concede the four pre-season games they do have all become vital in their own right.
‘‘I’ll rotate a lot of guys and see which lineups work well together. The Blitz will be huge. The Tall Blacks guys will be back a day before. We’ll make sure we get on the same page before we go to Phoenix, and the whole time we’re in Phoenix we’ll be building to play Brisbane.
‘‘We know the intensity we need to play at [against the Suns], and then we’ll be home to play our opener five days later.’’
Braswell figures on having everyone’s attention for the historic matchup against Devin Booker, No 1 pick Deandre Ayton and the Suns. Between the imports, Wesley and the ambitious Kiwis and Aussies in his squad, there will be an intense keenness to measure themselves against the NBA talent level.
‘‘Tai was there last year with Melbourne and they lost by one to OKC. He came in and said I’m so excited to play Phoenix. I know Patrick and Armani are as well,’’ added Braswell.
‘‘Every kid grows up thinking that’s where they’re going to play. It doesn’t always happen, but now we have a chance to perform at the NBA level it’s going to be great.’’
Braswell, too, is excited to get the chance to earn his coaching chops.
‘‘As a player I’ve never seen a shot I didn’t like and never shied away from the big moment.
‘‘This is the next opportunity at the next level in my coaching career. I’ve played at the club, I know everything they stand for and I know the guys we’re bringing in are good people.
‘‘Three years in Wellington has prepped me.
‘‘It’s one of the toughest clubs to coach at because of the history.
‘‘I’ve just walked into a new level of expectation and competitiveness because all the coaches at this level are great.’’
‘‘I’ve never seen a shot I didn’t like and never shied away from the big moment.’’ Kevin Braswell