Dickel urges calm over Breakers’ pre-season

Former Tall Blacks point guard Mark Dickel isn’t reading anything into the New Zealand Breakers’ bleak pre-season.

The Breakers head into next week’s Australian National Basketball League opener against Melbourne United on October 7 in Auckland having lost all six preseason games.

Last year’s runners-up have been hit hard by injury leading into the new season with Kirk Penney battling a calf strain and Corey Webster affected by hip and back problems. Tom Abercrombie and new American point guard Ben Woodside have also been restricted due to niggles.

Dickel, who played more than 100 games for New Zealand and coaches the Canterbury Rams in the Kiwi NBL, wasn’t concerned by the Breakers’ poor pre-season results. He said pre-season form meant nothing and acknowledged most sides would struggle if two of their best players were out.

Dickel expected the Breakers to start the season well and make the playoffs, provided they could get everyone back on court and remain healthy.

‘‘I anticipate the Breakers being in the top four and trying to win the championship. Why would I say that? They’ve done that every year.

‘‘They’ve built a real culture that rally around and supports each other. It’s about the team. Sometimes that’s not as evident in the pre-season, but in the regular season that shines through.’’

Dickel liked the squad first-year coach Paul Henare, who steps up after three years as assistant, had assembled. With Woodside, Webster, Penney, Abercrombie, Mika Vukona, Alex Pledger and Tall Blacks’ addition Rob Loe at his disposal, Henare effectively has seven players jostling it out for the starting five.

After missing out on the title to the Perth Wildcats last season, Dickel said it was time to make some personnel changes. He believed 31-year-old Woodside, who has played with Penney in Europe, was an excellent fit.