Bouncy Breakers’ big happy to fill gaps in the front court
Coming off an inconsistent fortnight and facing the possibility of a shortened rotation, the Breakers know they can rely on Akil Mitchell.
The import will be hoping to find revenge in Cairns tomorrow, having fallen to the Taipans earlier in the month to begin a couple of contradictory double- headers.
That home defeat was followed by an impressive overtime victory in Perth, before a win over Illawarra preceded a thumping from the same opponents.
A roster in flux has complicated the i ssue and that will continue in northern Queensland. The returning Shea Ili’s involvement i s still in question, limiting the options at point guard now Izzy Tueta has returned to Australia, and the health of Rob Loe will be a game day decision.
On the latter, at least, Mitchell is ready to assist. The American has proven a canny acquisition in his first 11 games as a Breaker, with a combination of athleticism and length making him both an invaluable scoring option and an effective rebounder.
Mitchell leads the bigs in minutes ( 23.1) and points ( 11.1) while sitting second on the boards ( 6.7), production that exemplifies his importance to coach Paul Henare’s rotations. His foul shooting remains a work in progress — an anemic 36 per cent success rate is the second- worst in the competition — but, crucially, Mitchell’s ability to perform at both power forward and centre should ensure the Breakers suffer little if Loe again misses out.
“Really, all it means is I’m playing more minutes at the 5,” he said of Loe’s absence. “It just means I have to be a little smarter with what I do, as far as fouls and knowing the scout a little better and knowing both positions.
“I’m adaptable and versatile, and that’s kind of what I hang my hat on — playing multiple positions.”
No amount of versatility was enough in the 31- point thrashing at the hands of Illawarra last Sunday, when 22 turnovers and, according to Mitchell, a lack of competitiveness left the Breakers at 6- 5 and a step off the pace set by Sydney ( 8- 4), Brisbane ( 6- 4) and Perth ( 6- 4).
But given the situation at point guard will only improve as Ili recovers and new recruit David Stockton becomes accustomed to the offence, any additional upgrade among the big men will benefit the Breakers.
“I think we’re only getting better,” Mitchell said of a group which also includes Alex Pledger and Mika Vukona. “I feel like the four of us are on a pretty good page. When Rob gets healthy and we’re all playing more minutes, we’ll continue to get better.”