Super City Rangers
Coach: Jeff Green
Best starting five: Point guard: Lindsay Tait, Shooting guard: Brook Ruscoe, Small forward: Mitch McCarron (AUS), Power forward: Dillon Boucher, Centre: Nnanna Egwu (US)
Star performer: Mitch McCarron. The 24-year-old Aussie is athletic, plays good D, can knock down the triple and is feisty to boot. His ANBL numbers (7.2ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.3apg) are modest, but scored big in college where he was national div II player of year.
The outlook: Mika Vukona’s decision to sit out the season hurts. So does Corey Webster’s to return to the Saints. Have two known prospects as imports in Egwu and McCarron from the Cairns Taipans, but might lack a stud to carry the load.
Putting a lot on veterans Tait and Boucher at this stage of their careers. Further signings due and will be needed.
TAB title odds: $7.50
Taranaki Mountain Airs
Coach: Trent Adam
Best starting five: PG: Houston O’Riley, SG: Alonzo Burton, SF: Tylor Ongwae (Kenya), PF: Aaron Bailey-Nowell, C: Daniel Gomis (Senegal)
Star performer: Tylor Ongwae: If the Mountain Airs are going to be a playoff team, Tylor Ongwae needs to play to his potential. There’s no doubt he can score the ball from beyond the arc and inside and can clog the passing lanes, but with Taranaki being undersized, his work on the glass could make all the difference.
The outlook: With last season’s assistant coach taking the reins, you can bet the Taranaki side will be strong on the defensive end again. What will be telling is how they match up against good jump-shooting teams like the Saints and Rangers. Without a Lindsay Tait or Everard Bartlett type shooter and being a team who like to slash and play inside, if they can hit anywhere around the 40 per cent mark from beyond the arc, they’re going to be tough for opponents.
TAB title odds: $26
Hawke’s Bay Hawks
Coach: Kirstin Daly-Taylor
Best starting five: PG: Jarrod Kenny, SG: Everard Bartlett, SF: Lamar Roberson (US), PF: Josh Fox, C: Amir Williams (US)
Star performer: Everard Bartlett. The experienced guard returns to his native Hawke’s Bay after a quiet season at Southland last year, where he averaged 12 points per game and shot 35 per cent from three point land. Bartlett has a reputation as one of the most lethal shooters in the NBL when he gets going. The Hawks need him to make a consistent impact on the offensive end if they are to regain their respectability and be competitive in 2017.
The outlook: The Hawks will be an improved outfit this season following last year’s woeful 0-18 campaign. With ANBL title winner Jarrod Kenny and Bartlett both back in the Bay they have a quality backcourt, but lack the depth and starpower some of their rivals possess. South African-born Grant Fiorentinos will fill the second import spot until American big man Amir Williams arrives in early April. The Hawks will pick up some wins, but expect them to fight it out with Taranaki for the wooden spoon in a competitive NBL.
TAB title odds: $12
Wellington Saints
Coach: Kevin Braswell
Best starting five: PG: Shea Ili, SG: Corey Webster, SF: Leon Henry, PF: Josh Duinker, C: Tai Wesley
Star performer: Webster. The guy just dominates every time he plays at this level. With such a good team around him, he should be a stats monster this year, provided no offers come in from Europe mid-season.
Outlook: Clear title favourites. The depth is there, with BJ Anthony, Jordan Ngatai and import Aaron Valdes all likely starters in any other team. So long as coach Kevin Braswell can keep them all happy and gets them to gel, it’s hard to see any chinks in their armour.
TAB title odds: $2.40
Nelson Giants
Coach: Alan McAughtry
Best starting five: PG: Joe Slocum (US), SG: Dion Prewster, SF: Sam Dempster, PF: Finn