Breakers ready for Phoenix test
Coach Kevin Braswell says there is no chance of the Breakers being intimidated as they take the court against an NBA team for the first time.
The Breakers meet the Phoenix Suns in Arizona today as part of the Australian NBL’s cross-league pre-season series with the NBA.
It’s a huge occasion, not only for the Breakers but New Zealand basketball, and a terrific opportunity for players from the Auckland-based club to test themselves against some of the best.
The Breakers received a boost on the eve of the fixture with Braswell confirming import big man Shawn Long would play after rejoining the team following a family bereavement.
Long is the only player in the Breakers with NBA experience. However, with some of the squad, including fellow imports Patrick Richard and Armani Moore, along with several Tall Blacks having either taken part in the NBA’s summer league or team training camps, Braswell is confident they won’t be overawed by the calibre of the opposition.
‘‘Tom Abercrombie, Corey Webster, Shea Ili, they have all been on this stage before so I don’t think it will wow any of them,’’ Braswell told Stuff.
The Suns had the worst record in the NBA last season and will be without injured marquee shooting guard Devin Booker.
But there is no underestimating the challenge ahead for the Breakers.
The Suns are a team on the rise, having acquired Deandre Ayton with the No 1 pick in the NBA draft. He joins talented wing Josh Jackson, who was selected fourth overall last year, while their young roster has been complemented by the addition of veterans Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson. Ayton has been described as a generational talent and compared to NBA stars Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid.
The squad left for Phoenix last Friday and Braswell says the extended time away together has been crucial towards building team chemistry.