Unfinished business lures Beveridge back
The NBA begins tomorrow in the United States. Jeff Cheshire casts his eye over how this season is shaping up.
TITLE aspirations have lured one of Australia’s top coaches back to Invercargill.
Rob Beveridge has resigned with the Southland Sharks for next year, the 41yearold inking a new deal with the NBL franchise.
It will be his second year with the team, although he had been set to coach in 2020 before the Covid19 pandemic.
Beveridge proved a valuable addition to the franchise this past season.
He guided the Sharks to 12 wins in their first 15 games, finishing 135 to secure a finalfour spot.
Once there, they were undone by a classy Hawke’s Bay Hawks team.
It was an impressive season nonetheless, particularly given the team lost star centre Alex Pledger following a cancer diagnosis in the preseason.
Under Beveridge’s watch, the team got plenty out of several of its younger stars — the likes of Brayden Inger, Toby Gillooly and Johnny Helu taking big steps up.
The opportunity to keeping building on that had been important in luring the former Perth Wildcats and Illawarra Hawks coach back.
‘‘I felt that we established very good foundations in 2021 by making the playoffs and narrowly losing the semifinal,’’ Beveridge said.
‘‘But I believe that if we continue to work hard as an organisation to retain as many players as possible that we legitimately will put us in a good position to go one step further in 2022.’’
Sharks general manager Jill Bolger was thrilled with the signing.
‘‘To have the confirmation that Bevo will be back in Invercargill for another season is the best possible news for all of us.
‘‘I think we all saw firsthand what he can do both for the Sharks and the community as a whole this year and we really want to replicate that in 2022.
‘‘Bevo is an outstanding individual in every way and this translates to all of us around him making ourselves better. ‘‘
The NBL is set to begin on April 7.
A decision is to be made by Thursday as to whether the women’s NBL will reprise its season.
It was halted after its opening weekend due to the Delta lockdown.
Rob Beveridge
Teams to watch Milwaukee Bucks
Coming off their first championship in 40 years, the Bucks are riding high. Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most potent threats in the league, while he has a well assembled support cast of shooters and the increasingly prominent Khris Middleton. Brooklyn Nets
On paper, the most talented team in the league, led by scoring duo Kevin Durant and James Harden. How much the Kyrie Irving antivaccination saga impacts them could be telling. Los Angeles Lakers
It was almost the plot of a movie, the way this Lakers team was assembled. All the players from yesteryear followed each another to Southern California for one last shot at a ring. Health is massive with this team. But if LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and company can be at their best come April, this team could go all the way. Golden State Warriors
The dynasty took a twoyear hiatus, but the window to bring another title to the Bay has not completely closed. Klay Thompson will return after two years off with injury, joining Stephen Curry to reform the most potent shooting backcourt in history. Phoenix Suns
Went on a run to make last year’s finals and should be better again this year. Devin Booker gives them one of the best scorers in the game, DeAndre Ayton is a beast inside and Chris Paul pulls the strings at point guard as well as anyone who has ever played. Players to watch Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
The Slovenian does virtually everything and is capable of putting a team on his back. His step back from deep is one of the toughest shots to guard and he facilitates as well as he scores. At just 22, expect another jump this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Long and athletic, the Greek Freak is coming off one of the most dominant finals displays in recent history. Always potent on defence, gets to the rim whenever he wants and has an everdeveloping shooting game. LeBron James (Lakers)
A healthy King James, entering his 19th season, remains the best player on the planet. He can hurt teams in any way and his passing
game is as good as anyone’s. Had two of his past three seasons derailed by injury, although won a championship in the one he stayed healthy. Kevin Durant (Nets)
Probably the best allround scorer of all time. Long and skilful, he is unguardable at his best. Stephen Curry (Warriors)
Not as versatile as the others in this group, but the former twotime MVP still shoots the ball better than anyone. Has had something of a second coming since returning from injury last year and is a reminder that there is still a place for the little guy in a supposed game of giants. Narratives to follow Covid19
Vaccination has been the issue of the offseason — notably in Andrew Wiggins’ Uturn and
Irving’s refusal to get the shot. What it means for player availability and their future in the league will play out as the season goes on. Wide open
For a long stretch, there were one or two clear favourites to win the title. This season, like last, feels far more wide open. Last year’s league was heavily impacted by injury. Steven Adams
The big Kiwi lasted just one year in New Orleans. Memphis is his new landing spot and there will be plenty of interest in his role and how he goes on a Grizzlies team on the rise. East no longer the least
For so long the butt of many a joke, the Eastern Conference is the strongest it has been in years. It has the defending champion Bucks and arguably the best
paper team in the Nets. There is also plenty of quality among the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks and a resurgent Chicago Bulls. Cheshire’s picks East
It is hard to go past Brooklyn. A team dogged by injury last year, this time around it has had a full offseason and its new pickups have had a chance to gel. The Bucks are a clear a threat too and seem the most likely to meet them in the conference finals. But I’ll give the Nets the edge here. West
There are many questions around the Lakers, although there is enough talent and experience in that team to be in the mix. The Warriors are another who know how to get it done and have the talent to do so. Both could yet end up being disasters. But a LeBronCurry conference finals is appealing so let’s go with that. It is tough to make a pick there — but it is always risky betting against LeBron so the Lakers advance. Finals
Again, it is always risky betting against LeBron. The Lakers to win an epic series, but Durant will push them all the way.