NZ Breakers add Richard to their roster
AUCKLAND: There is a new regime in place, but the import strategy remains the same at the New Zealand Breakers.
The Breakers have signed American shooting guard Patrick Richard as their second import — a solid player who should provide quality production in tandem with Corey Webster.
Richard, who has signed a oneyear deal, is a good shooter who spent four years at McNeese State before embarking on a professional career which has seen him play in the DLeague, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Israel and Spain.
His most recent season was his most impressive, averaging 11 points per game in the competitive Spanish ACB, while his stats in Israel
(12 points, five rebounds and four assists per game) compare well with the Israeli stint of Webster, who is a proven commodity in the Australian NBL.
The Breakers have rarely been a side to go out and sign splashy names as their imports, and they have continued that trend with the recruitment of Richard and fellow American Armani Moore.
It is a strategy which has largely proved successful, though it can be argued that the Breakers have fallen slightly off the pace in terms of import production over the past few seasons.
While Moore and Richard will fit snugly around the Breakers’ local core — and it is an impressive core this season — recent campaigns have proved that fringe NBA players such as Bryce Cotton, Casper Ware and Josh Boone can make a huge difference in creating championshipcalibre rosters.
However, the Breakers neither have the financial means nor incentive to go after the big names, and have instead focused on finding pieces that fit. Richard may not have the supreme upside of some of the aforementioned imports, but in a side which already has the likes of Webster and Tai Wesley, he too could be a handy piece to add to a roster which has significant strength in depth.
Breakers head coach Kevin Braswell likes how Richard will fit in his planned up tempo style.
‘‘Last year we had Shea Ili, DJ Newbill, Edgar Sosa and Kirk Penney, who were all quite different guards. This year we have Shea, [Jarrad] Weeks, Corey and Patrick who are all uptempo. Now we have four guards who can push the pace — hard.
‘‘Patrick is very knowledgeable when it comes to reading the game. He can also do everything. He shoots the ball well, he makes plays well and he can defend well. I’m trying to find guards who have depth in that position and can do everything,’’ Braswell explained.
Richard is planning to use his experience gained in Europe to make a positive impact on the Breakers.
‘‘When you play against top players in the EuroLeague there is very little room for error. You have to be ready to play at your best, or those guys will take advantage of any little mistakes you make,’’ Richard said.
The Breakers will use their leftover salary cap space and final roster spot to sign a starting import centre.