The long wait finally over for eager Breakers

It has been nigh on a full year since the Breakers last played an Australian NBL game in anger. That’s a lot of pent-up energy and enthusiasm that is set to be unleashed at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre tonight.

In what shapes as a contrast in buildups, Dan Shamir’s Breakers open their ANBL campaign against the busy Adelaide 36ers (tipoff 9.30pm NZT) with plenty of unknowns swirling. How will they cope without Corey Webster (cut hand) and possibly Rob Loe who will be a game-time decision with knee soreness? How will new imports Lamar Patterson and Colton Iverson fit into Shamir’s rigid system? What sort of an impact can star off-season signing Tai Webster have with his size, athleticism and familiarity with his Kiwi mates?

And, maybe most important of all, how quickly can the Breakers shake off the rust of the big wait (they last played an NBL game on February 14 of 2020) against a side that has already tucked three games under its belt for a doubleovertime victory and two defeats?

Backup guard Jarrad Weeks, who can figure on extended burn off the bench in Corey Webster’s absence, vows the league’s only Kiwi club will be as ready as it can be given the circumstances of a season severely disrupted already by the pandemic.

‘‘It’s been pretty tough being moved around from Auckland to Melbourne to Hobart and now over here in Adelaide. But as soon as that ball goes up everyone will be so excited to actually play a basketball game, the energy and everything is going to be there as we finally get to show the league what we’re about this year,’’ he said

Both Webster and Loe were slated to head the Breakers’ bench group this year, so that’s going to mean Weeks and new addition Rasmus Bach taking on bigger backcourt roles for the first few weeks, and probably Aussie big Daniel Trist, who will be one of at least a quartet making their club debuts in Adelaide.

Weeks says the new faces have slotted in well, even if the preseason buildup has been so disrupted by the fresh Covid outbreak in Australia.

Weeks wasn’t reading too much, either, into Adelaide’s stuttering start. They were walloped first up by Melbourne, prevailed in double overtime against the Phoenix and then went down to the same side in a quick turnaround rematch on Wednesday. All on their home court.

‘‘With [new coach] Conner Henry coming in they’ve got a whole new system, and to be able to see them a couple of times in a week and what they run is going to be a big help for us,’’ said Weeks. ‘‘We have a fair idea what’s coming.’’

The Breakers cannot be expected to be anywhere near their best first up, all things considered, but Weeks, an upbeat type at the worst of times, is forever hopeful.

‘‘We’re just so keen to get out there and show the NBL what the Breakers are all about because I think we’ve got a good chance of going deep into the season.’’