Jets getting up to speed
The Manawatū Jets can expect a whirlwind week coming to grips with the team’s systems now everyone is on deck.
The Jets lost 92-82 to the Canterbury Rams at the Arena on Friday night to be 0-3 after the first three weeks.
But three players – Shane Temara, Rob Crawford and Zane Najdawi – only joined the team last week and a third yet-to-beannounced import will be in the mix this week.
Kiwi Temara and United States imports Crawford and Najdawi only arrived last week so were still getting their heads around the team’s systems, and the effects of travelling from the other side of the world showed.
Najdawi ran out of steam by the third quarter and Crawford was jet-lagged.
They should all be well-adjusted to the time zone and the team by the time the Jets host the Otago Nuggets at the Arena on Sunday.
Coach Natu Taufale was busy this week making sure everyone knew how the team played and were getting used to each other.
‘‘We’ve got a lot of work to do in terms of transitioning [our third import] and also the other guys who have just arrived.
‘‘Zane said to me in the third quarter [against Canterbury] his legs were gone. Just the fact they had a massive flight, were trying to get used to the time zone, we’ve got lots to do this week.
‘‘They have been here less than a week. There’s still teething issues with our offence.
‘‘There’s a lot of work to do with those guys to get them familiar with our stuff. Hence, the reason we’ve got four, five practices this week to get them through.’’
Taufale was pleased with how they rallied in the fourth quarter, but they hadn’t shown enough of that earlier in the game.
He said if they had the result could have been a different story.
Big man Temara made his presence felt straight away with 22 points and 7 rebounds, as did Najdawi, who didn’t play the fourth quarter, but he came in with 17 points and 9 rebounds.
Crawford had 16 points and Pafe Momoisea was handy with 13 points and 6 assists.
Rams players Sunday Dech and Ryan Taylor both torched the Jets with 27 points each.
Against the Nuggets this weekend the Jets should be at full strength except for Lukah Richards, who had Covid-19 and will not be rushed back.