2007 NBL Champions: Nelson Giants

The Nelson Giants, led by league MVP Josh Pace, secured their third NBL title after defeating the Hawke’s Bay Hawks 2-0 in the best-of-three Finals Series. This was the Giants first title since the 1998 season.

Teams:

10 teams contested the 2007 season (final standings): Nelson Giants, Hawke’s Bay Hawks, Harbour Heat, Waikato Pistons, Auckland Stars, Wellington Saints, Taranaki Mountainairs, Canterbury Rams, Manawatu Jets and Otago Nuggets.

Grand Final (Best Of Three Series):

Game One: Nelson Giants (76) defeated Hawke’s Bay Hawks (67) (Referees: Alan Godden, Andy Thackray & Gavin Whiu)

Game Two: Nelson Giants (96) defeated Hawke’s Bay Hawks (83) (Referees: Alan Godden, Andy Thackray & Tim Brown)

Season Award Winners:

Regular Season Winners: Harbour Heat (14-4)

Most Valuable Player: Josh Pace (Nelson Giants)

NZ Most Valuable Player: Link Abrams (Taranaki Mountainairs) & Paora Winitana (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy): Josh Pace (Nelson Giants)

Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy): Hayden Allen (Harbour Heat) & Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars)

Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup): Link Abrams (Taranaki Mountainairs)

Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy): Link Abrams (Taranaki Mountainairs)

Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy): Garry Hill-Thomas (26.2) (Taranaki Mountainairs)

Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy): Link Abrams (11.5) (Taranaki Mountainairs)

Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy): Paul Henare (6.4) (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

Best Team Free Throws (Nial Forsyth Trophy): Waikato Pistons

Rookie of the Year: Charlie Piho (Auckland Stars)

Coach of the Year: John Dorge (Harbour Heat)

Referee of the Year: Alan Godden

Administrator of the Year: Mark Rogers (Otago Nuggets)

Media Award: Toby Robson (Dominion Post)

All-Star Five:

G: Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars)

G: Josh Pace (Nelson Giants)

F: Dillon Boucher (Auckland Stars)

F: Oscar Forman (Harbour Heat)

C: Link Abrams (Taranaki Mountainairs)

Photo: www.photosport.co.nz