Henare has big calls to make with Breakers roster
Breakers coach Paul Henare is holding the metaphorical match that could blow up his roster after the team’s Australian NBL season came up short of its goal.
But the big question is whether Henare will light the fuse or remain loyal to a group that ultimately could not get the job done in 2017-18? That is the principal challenge facing the Breakers’ new ownership group as day one of their off-season dawns in the wake of Monday night’s heartbreaking 88-86 overtime defeat to Melbourne United at Spark Arena.
That loss, the Breakers’ 14th in their last 20 games, saw the Kiwi club snap a nine-game home playoff win streak, and end a run of five straight semifinal series wins since 2010-11. It also saw them wrap up their season with six consecutive defeats.
Henare has just one player on contract for next year in 2.13m Tall Blacks centre Alex Pledger. Another, the league’s most improved player, Shea Ili, is likely to take up a player option.
That leaves some big decisions to make around a group that produced decidedly mixed results. Already Kiwi hoops legend Kirk Penney has announced his retirement, so that’s one spot to fill and a chunk of change freed up.
Tom Abercrombie, Mika Vukona, Rob Loe, Finn Delany and Jordan Ngatai are the New Zealand players off contract, as are all their imports. Point guard Edgar Sosa has reportedly already agreed to join Reyer Venezia in Italy’s Serie A for the rest of the European season, though this would not preclude him re-signing with the Breakers for 2018-19.
Henare, after the dramatic finish on Monday, said it was too soon to consider either appraising the season or assessing roster spots.
‘‘Right now I’m in short-term memory mode,’’ he said. ‘‘My heart goes out to the boys. That hurts, so the season wrapup and what comes of it all will come out in the wash in the next couple of weeks.
‘‘For now my guys should hold their heads high. It’s been a very good season, a fun season. The camaraderie, chemistry, personalities ... it’s been one of the most fun teams I’ve ever been around.’’
Asked if he thought the Breakers were better than their poor late-season record indicated, Henare hedged his bets somewhat.
‘‘I’m a believer where you end up is where you deserve to end up ... we had some good times, and we had a long patch where we were searching for results and trying to get our identity back. For us to get through all that and the disruption with the [Fiba] windows, it’s not the perfect way to finish, but holding on to that last performance from a bunch of guys willing to play for each other is something I’ll be proud of.’’
On the roster decisions, Henare would only say: ‘‘We’ve been a club that’s always tried to keep a core group together and I’m sure nothing will change there.’’
In terms of the Kiwi contingent, two major factors are in play: are there any better New Zealanders out there worthy of consideration; and will the club continue to foster the growth of home-grown talent under new owners?
On the former, the Germanybased Tai Webster and Isaac Fotu are obvious answers, but will be difficult to prise from well-paying jobs. None of the elite collegians are due to become available. And the new owners have pledged already not to change things up too much on the court.
Abercrombie had a disappointing end to his season, averaging just 5.6 points while shooting 25 percent over his last six games.
"We had some good times, and we had a long patch where we were searching for results and trying to get our identity back."
Paul Henare, Breakers coach
But he should be a priority resigning as an elite two-way player whose shot will surely come back.
Vukona is an enigma. At 35 it seems likely his days as a starting power forward are over. Will he be prepared to accept a lesser role, both on the payroll, and court?
Delany is a no-brainer resigning, providing what is understood to be his fifth concussion doesn’t have any long-term consequences; Loe’s inconsistency and defensive failings are frustrating, but he showed his offensive value on Monday night; while Ngatai remains a good option in the 11th roster spot.
Of the imports, Sosa and Newbill were both capable defenders, decent offensive threats and, by all accounts, excellent team men. Both must at least be in the discussion to return.
And we have seen the last of Rakeem Christmas, whose defence and decision-making were woeful.
A lot to think about. As ever, Kiwi re-signings will take priority.