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
