Henare bids to bring back ‘nasty’ Breakers

For all the criticism the Breakers have copped during their four-game Aussie NBL losing streak, coach Paul Henare thinks he’s found the key reason behind the slump.

He accepts the last-placed club have been too generous on defence, conceding an average of 98.3 points during the slide. And he acknowledges the Breakers have been too careless with the ball, coughing up an average of 18.5 turnovers in the four defeats.

But Henare, who knows a thing or two about playing on hard-nosed teams, believes his players’ problems stem from their mentality more than anything.

“As a group, we’re too nice right now,” the coach said. “I think we need to bring back a little bit of nasty.”

Ahead of the game against Brisbane tonight at Vector Arena, Henare trusts his charges will know what that means — not needless fouls but playing with an edge under the basket, teammates holding one another accountable and the coach enforcing standards when they slip.

Henare delivered a vocal address to his players to conclude yesterday’s practice and knew any attitude change among the group needed to start at the top.

“I’ve been too nice,” he said. “And I think this group is experienced enough and know where that nastiness should come from.

“Sometimes that can be an uncomfortable conversation and some people can take that the wrong way — the important thing is that we’re sending the right messages.”

If those messages are received tonight, the Breakers can begin their climb from the bottom of the ladder.