Jets can get better, says coach
Manawatu¯ Jets coach Tim Mctamney believes he’s only seeing the start of what his team can offer.
The Jets have had a win and two losses heading into the second round of the revamped NBL in Auckland this week, but have looked good in parts and some pundits are rating the team’s chances.
The Jets started the season by losing to the Otago Nuggets 104-100 on Thursday, beat the Auckland Huskies 95-67 on Saturday, then lost to the Nelson Giants 87-83 on Sunday.
In round two they play the Canterbury Rams tomorrow, new Auckland team the Franklin Bulls on Saturday and the Taranaki Mountain Airs on Sunday.
Mctamney said it would take time to get the new players used to the plays, but he was pleased with how everyone was fitting in.
He said the team was three or four weeks away from having everything in place and playing at their peak. ‘‘We’ve started to establish a defensive identity, which is good. That’s happened much sooner than we’d liked to expect and that’s been really positive.
‘‘We’re playing at a good pace. I would argue we’re the quickest team here. We’re putting guys in a position to score quickly, which is something we’re been focusing on.
The top four draft picks, Jayden Bezzant, Hyrum Harris, Taane Samuel and Thomas Vodanovich, have been great picks ups, but the rest of the squad have been contributing too.
The team has been confident with their shooting and have created a lot of open three-point shots. The free-wheeling style has meant the Jets have been a threat for everyone to handle so far.
‘‘Part of the way we play is we give the green light to guys and, if they’re open, we expect them to shoot,’’ Mctamney said. ‘‘Everyone on the floor is capable.
‘‘We don’t hold anything back, we let it fly. That allows the team to play with freedom, which is really important.’’
The local players had been learning from guns such as Tall Blacks Vodanovich and Harris.
Mctamney will have to balance minutes for all players, with three games most weeks of the competition, and he doesn’t want any injuries during the short tournament.
The side had run out of steam against Nelson, having been in control for 80 per cent of the game.
The Rams have won all three of their games, while the Airs have had two wins and a loss, and the Bulls have had two losses and a win.