Sal’s NBL: The Think Tank – Round 1

Photo credit: Monica Toretto

Welcome to the Think Tank, where you will find weekly musings that touch on a bevy of topics from around the league

AUCKLAND TUATARA

If you THINK the Tuatara are stinging from being back-to-back runners-up THEN you need look no further for a response than the star-studded starting unit coach Aaron Young has put together. The Tuatara’s hopes of being third time lucky and landing a championship will fall on the shoulders of Corey Webster, Cam Gliddon, Reuben Te Rangi, Tom Vodanovich and Rob Loe. It’s a fab five packed with pure class.

FRANKLIN BULLS

If you THINK the Bulls might get off to a slow start this season THEN you may have factored in the players they are missing this week. Dom Kelman-Poto is overseas with the Tall Blacks 3X3 team, Isaac Davidson is still playing in Europe, and Jordan Hunt will likely miss the first third of the season as he recovers from a broken leg.

TARANAKI STEELFORMERS AIRS

If you THINK fairytales are possible THEN you have probably already bought into the hype surrounding the Airs. A string of big signings, headlined by Aussie big man Sam Froling, has Airs fans feeling confident their team can win its first ever championship. These are the same fans who are likely going to get sick of the media talking about a drought that extends back to 1985.

PROPERTY BROKERS MANAWATŪ JETS

If you THINK a trouble-free pre-season helps a team deliver early wins THEN you might want to steer clear of the Jets. A number of player changes since the turn of the new year, including an import, hasn’t been an ideal buildup for the team in green. But on a positive, the green army will get to see big man Tyrell Harrison for the first few weeks of the ’24 season.

TAYLOR HAWKE’S BAY HAWKS

If you THINK a good clean-out and a re-set was needed at the Hawks THEN it looks like Hawks general manager Jarrod Kenny has heard you. Just one (Jordan Ngatai) of the team’s top seven players has returned from last season, coach Everard Bartlett has been replaced by Sam Gruggen, and a heap of young talent has been signed. It’s a new dawn at the nest, but what will the hatching eggs bring?

WHAI

If you THINK basketball fans in Tauranga are excited about having their very own Sal’s NBL team THEN we are about to find out. The Whai start the season with a home game against the Hawks and given you only get to play a first game once let’s hope we see the fans turn up in big numbers and help their team get off to a winning start.

MILLS ALBERT WELLINGTON SAINTS

If you THINK the only 41st birthday present the Saints want is a championship THEN you would be right. With coach Zico Coronel back at the helm, the Saints have signed a roster that has the potential to deliver a 13th title, the centrepiece being rising Kiwi Hyrum Harris, who was prized away from the Hawks during free agency.

NBS NELSON GIANTS

If you THINK Sammy Dempster is important to the Nelson Giants THEN we will soon find out just how important he is. The ageless forward is likely to miss the first few weeks of the season with a foot injury, leaving a big hole for coach Mike Fitchett to try and fill.

WHEELER MOTORCOMPANY CANTERBURY RAMS

If you THINK the Rams might be looking for the NBL/Rapid double in 2024 THEN you must have taken a close look at just how deep their roster is. Three imports, Walter Brown, Max Darling, Taylor Britt, Kaia Isaac, Aidan Tonge and some highly rated youngsters out of their academy has the 2023 champs looking scarily good.

NIGHT n’ DAY OTAGO NUGGETS

If you THINK Dunedin could do with an Australian sister city THEN you might want to suggest the local council take a look at Perth. The link between the Nuggets and Wildcats continues to grow and in 2024 local hoops fans will no doubt enjoy seeing Tai Webster, Dontae Russo-Nance, Jack Andrew and Ben Henshall continue to show the strength of the partnership.

SOUTHLAND SHARKS

If you THINK the Sharks need to develop more local talent THEN you will be a big fan of Rapid League. For more than a decade cynical fans across the competition have looked at the Sharks as being a team flying in players each season, so the introduction of the innovative Sky Broadband Rapid League is the perfect opportunity for the Sharks to develop young southerners on the big stage.