Durant to re-sign
It was scrappy, it was ugly and it was tense but in the end, it was a fifth straight World Cup qualifying win for a Tall Blacks side that continues to impress. A 67-57 World Cup qualifying win over China confirmed what we already knew: Barring disaster, this Tall Blacks side is heading to the 2019 World Cup, and if they keep developing, they might even be able to make some noise when they get there.
Yesterday’s victory in front of a sold-out Auckland crowd sees the Tall Blacks top Group A — a notable landmark considering their 11 points already banked will carry over to the second stage of qualifying.
China provided their most difficult test but though they had some sloppy stretches, the Tall Blacks showcased their increasing array of talent — most notably on the defensive end — to get the win.
It helped that China were fairly one-dimensional. They lived up to their billing as a team which loves to attack the hoop but they didn’t show enough variety, hitting just three shots from beyond the arc.
That tactic worked for them early, taking an 18-15 quarter-time lead as Spark Arena briefly turned into their home crowd thanks to the passionate Chinese fans, but eventually the Tall Blacks’ defence wised up to what was on the Chinese menu.
Offensively, the Tall Blacks started sluggishly but soon found their rhythm. They started the second quarter on a 13-0 run, with China going scoreless for four minutes as the Tall Blacks started to dominate in the paint. However, just as it looked like they would start to stamp their authority, the Tall Blacks also went through a drought, scoring just five points in six minutes.
Suddenly, it was a mission to create Shea Ili puts up a shot during yesterday’s win over China.
good looks, and a flurry of points from Abudushalamu Abudurexiti saw China hit the front as the contest ground to a halt. It was a situation where the services of the unavailable Webster brothers would have come in handy, but the hosts instead drew on their ever-increasing depth to combat the frisky Chinese squad.
Rob Loe had one of his best games in the Tall Blacks singlet, racking up 13 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and four blocks, Isaac Fotu finished with 15 points, Mika Vukona nabbed some crucial rebounds down the stretch and Jarrod Kenny stepped
up in the fourth quarter with some timely shots.
Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare believed his side’s strong finish was a result of experience.
“The experiences that these guys have been through over many, many years allow them to perform at a high level on this stage. In those moments, that’s when you rely on all the hard yards and all the experience to get you through those tough times, and I’m extremely proud that they were able to do that.”
Eventually, that experience shone through to finally vanquish China’s
resistance, pulling away to take a 10-point victory and continue their Asian ascendancy.
What’s next for this squad? They progress into the next stage along with China and South Korea, and — at full strength — will be favoured to defeat Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, who they each play home and away in the second stage of qualifying.
With four of those six teams making the World Cup, the Tall Blacks’ odds look strong. But that’s a scenario to ponder in September. For now, the Tall Blacks can be content — one stage down and just one to go. Kevin Durant will likely sign a twoyear contract to remain with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA, with the caveat that the deal will have an option and allow him to return to free agency next summer. It is a win for the two-time defending NBA champion Warriors on several levels. Not only do they get to keep the 2017 and 2018 NBA finals MVP, but they also get some financial flexibility in the deal. Durant will be paid $30.5 million this season, about $5 million less than he could have commanded if the deal was structured differently. That saving will give Golden State options for other moves this summer.