2004 NBL Champions: Auckland Stars

The Auckland Stars prevailed in the 2004 season to claim their eighth league title. Led by Tall Blacks legends Dillon Boucher and Lindsay Tait, the Stars went on to defeat the Nelson Giants in the championship decider.

Teams:

10 teams contested the 2004 season (final standings): Auckland Stars, Nelson Giants, Wellington Saints, Hawke’s Bay Hawks, Manawatu Jets, Waikato Titans, Canterbury Rams, Taranaki Mountainairs, Otago Nuggets and Harbour Heat.

Grand Final:

Auckland Stars (80) defeated Nelson Giants (68) (Referees: Alan Godden, Stan Battock & Gavin Whiu)

Season Award Winners:

Regular Season Winners: Wellington Saints (13-5)

Most Valuable Player: Adrian Majstrovich (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

NZ Most Valuable Player: Adrian Majstrovich (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

Finals MVP: Aaron Olsen (Auckland Stars)

Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy): Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars)

Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy): Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars)

Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup): Adrian Majstrovich (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy): Adrian Majstrovich (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy): Geordie Cullen (23.7) (Waikato Titans)

Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy): David Cooper (11.7) (Manawatu Jets)

Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy): Paul Henare (5.2) (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

Best Team Free Throws (Nial Forsyth Trophy): Wellington Saints

Rookie of the Year: Luke Martin (Manawatu Jets)

Coach of the Year: Shawn Dennis (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

Referee of the Year: Alan Godden

Administrator of the Year: Jeremy Bayliss (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

Media Award: Toby Robson (Dominion Post)

All-Star Five:

G: Willie Banks (Taranaki Mountainairs)

G: Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars)

F: Adrian Majstrovich (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

F: Ben Knight (Wellington Saints)

C: Geordie Cullen (Waikato Titans)

Photo: www.photosport.co.nz