Breakers aiming high with new signings
New ownership, new coach and a host of new players.
About the only thing that did not change at the Breakers during the off-season was the high expectations the club has routinely set for itself over the last decade or so.
But as they prepare to open another Australian NBL campaign in Auckland tonight against the Brisbane Bullets, new coach Kevin Braswell says the next month will be crucial, as they look to build chemistry within the side.
Brought in by the consortium led by Matt Walsh, who replaced long-time owners Paul and Liz Blackwell at the end of last season, following Paul Henare’s departure, Braswell has gone about assembling a roster loaded with talent.
Sharpshooter Corey Webster and elite big man Tai Wesley have returned to Auckland to join the likes of Tom Abercrombie and Shea Ili. Aussie duo Majok Majok and Jarrad Weeks were also recruited, along with a trio of well-credentialled US imports, including former NBA power forward Shawn Long.
The bookmakers have installed the Breakers as fourth favourites to win the title behind the Andrew Bogut-led Sydney Kings, last season’s champions Melbourne United, and old rivals the Perth Wildcats. But several experts in Australia have them among the top contenders.
The pre-season has not been kind to the Kiwi club. A combination of injuries and international commitments means Braswell has only had a handful of training sessions with his full squad.
Last week’s trip to Phoenix, where they gave the Suns a late scare, was a step in the right direction, but Braswell admits they are still some way off from where he wants them to be. ‘‘I think we’ve assembled a team that definitely should be in the top four. But it’s going to take a lot of growth in the next four to six weeks, because we have been apart.
‘‘We haven’t been in those moments, in those games where it’s been close, guys have to make plays and that chemistry has to be there – we haven’t done that yet.
‘‘So that’s going to come in the next few weeks, I hope, and weekby-week we just keep progressing.’’
Following the departure of Mika Vukona, Alex Pledger, Kirk Penney and Rob Loe, among others, Abercrombie is one of only a few players to return from last season.
The veteran swingman, who has played in all four of the Breakers’ championship-winning seasons, knows they are work in progress, but is confident they have all the ingredients necessary to challenge for a title.
He likes what the imports have brought to the table, describing Patrick Richard as a ‘‘polished professional ‘‘ who will add plenty of experience to the Breakers’ backcourt and suits the up-tempo style Braswell is keen to employ.
Armani Moore is a hardnosed, versatile forward, while Abercrombie has been particularly impressed by Long, who played 18 games with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016-2017 NBA season.
‘‘Shawn is an incredible athlete,’’ Abercrombie said. ‘‘We’re really lucky to have someone like him inside who just changes a lot of shots with his length and athleticism. He’s a guy we haven’t really had before where you can just throw the ball anywhere and he’ll go up and finish it.’’
Meanwhile, Vukona has not had to wait long to return to Spark Arena, with the Breakers legend part of a Bullets team led by former coach Andrej Lemanis.
Abercrombie admits it will be a strange experience going up his long-time team-mate, but he won’t be holding anything back on the court.
‘‘We know exactly what he’s going to bring in terms of his hustle and his grit, and the way he carries himself on the court,’’ Abercrombie said.
‘‘It’s going to be a good battle.’’