Brantley eyes more as Breakers head south
Jarrell Brantley might be the best player on the best team in Australia’s National Basketball League, but he’s not done impressing hoops watchers on both sides of the Tasman as his Breakers prepare for a rare Christchurch appearance.
The 2.01-metre South Carolina native made that clear after his starring role in the Breakers’ statement 116-79 Sunday victory over the Brisbane Bullets that improved them to 10-3 for the season. That, combined with the Sydney Kings’ Monday night overtime defeat 94-88 to the Cairns Taipans, has put the Kiwi club two wins clear at the top of the table.
Brantley, along with fellow imports Dererk Pardon and Barry Brown Jr, has been a big part of that. They are probably the best restricted trio in the league, and maybe the finest combination in their club’s history, as they combine consistent two-way play, team-first attitudes and some heady performances to take the Kiwi club to its best start since they opened 9-1 in 2017-18.
Brantley was outstanding over the last round as the Breakers rolled the Cairns Taipans on the road (82-71) and then backed it up less than two days later with that 37-point home towelling of the Bullets, prompting visiting coach Sam McKinnon to label them championship ‘‘favourites’’.
On Sunday at Spark, after going 13 of 19 from the floor, and 2 of 5 from deep, in a 29-point low-post masterclass against the Bullets, the 26-year-old, 41-game NBA player (with the Utah Jazz) reflected on a situation under Mody Maor at the Breakers that is bringing the best out in him.
‘‘We’re doing well, we’re playing together, and beyond the wins and losses just how we attack adversity is important,’’ he said. ‘‘The travel has been kinda crazy, but being focused and disciplined has been a good trait.’’
The challenges continue as the Breakers host the dangerous 7-5 South East Melbourne Phoenix in Christchurch tomorrow night, then return to home base to battle the desperate 5-6 Perth Wildcats at Spark on Saturday.
Brantley indicated he still had plenty of upside in his play. That’s saying something for a power forward averaging 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and shooting 52% from the floor for the season.
‘‘It’s been special [here],’’ he said. ‘‘From the first day Mody set the table, showed what he expected from me, but also allowed me to bring family in. There’s something special going on here. I know you all see our wins and losses, but we’re able to build something, so it’s been special to be a part of it.’’
There’s a feeling that Brantley is really finding his groove on a team with a lot of weapons, but he believes his best might still be to come. ‘‘It’s been fun,’’ he said.
‘‘Behind the scenes the coaches have been challenging me to go beyond what I’ve shown up to this point in my career. We’ve been working on so much more than what you see. Being the worker I am, that’s the fun part. I want to do so much more, so every day is a stepping stone.’’