Photo credit: Cameron Walker Photography
AUCKLAND TUATARA
If you THINK the Tuatara will be better with Tom Vodanovich in their line-up this season THEN the Saints confirmed it as they ripped the Aucklanders apart. Some Tommy V aggression was badly needed in the 80-110 belting the Tuatara suffered.
FRANKLIN BULLS
If you THINK the Bulls were hoping new import Luther Muhammad would be cleared in time to play against the Giants THEN you can imagine their excitement when they won by one point as Muhammad dropped 34 points on debut including the game winner!
TARANAKI STEELFORMERS AIRS
If you THINK the Airs are the real deal this season THEN you better hurry up and get a ticket to next Thursday night’s first home game. The new look Airs nervously got past the Jets in R1 with all three imports starring. Next up … the Tuatara on the road to challenge last years runners up, but the round after that they host the Whai for their home opener on April 13th with the hope that around 2,500 New Plymouth locals are ready to scream “AVALANCHE” !!!
WHAI
If you THINK Tauranga has been hanging out for their own Sal’s NBL team THEN you should have been at Mercury Baypark Arena last Thursday night when a great crowd turned up to see the Whai men in action for the first time securing victory against an understrength Hawks squad. A dream start for the new franchise.
TAYLOR HAWKE’S BAY HAWKS
If you THINK it will be a long season for the Hawks THEN you might be right based on what we saw in the opening round. However, this team is clearly in a rebuilding phase and the minutes being put into young players like Tommy Fergusson, Jackson Ball and Kobe Kara will prove invaluable. And let’s not forget Jordan Ngatai and import Isaiah Moore are still both to return.
PROPERTY BROKER MANAWATŪ JETS
If you THINK the Jets are happy to have Tyrell Harrison only staying in town for a couple of weeks THEN you underestimate the pressure everyone in the Jets organisation is about to apply to the big man after his 16-point an 24-rebound haul against the Airs it a tight loss on the home opener. The Jets were on the cusp but would have looked vastly different without the big fellas rebounding prowess.
MILLS ALBERT WELLINGTON SAINTS
If you THINK the return of Zico Coronel might make the difference at the Saints THEN you saw it first hand as they dismantled the Tuatara with a 110-80 win. Zico’s influence was undeniable as a new-look Saints team put on an offensive masterclass with the habits of a team that was well drilled and in mid-season form.
NBS NELSON GIANTS
If you THINK the Giants were unlucky to lose at home to the Bulls THEN you might want to take a look at the stats … go straight to the foul shooting which shows 23/35 at a 65% clip for the home team. Nothing lucky about making shots from the charity stripe Remember that saying as kids - free throws win games.
WHEELER MOTOR COMPANY CANTERBURY RAMS
If you THINK the Rams are going to be deep this season THEN you will have noticed their round one victory over the Giants was completed without imports MJ Walker and KJ Buffen, while Walter Brown was also missing with his duties in Australia being completed with Tasmanian championship. Going to be anther fun year for Rams fans.
NIGHT n' DAY OTAGO NUGGETS
If you THINK the Nuggets can improve on their opening win over the Sharks THEN you must have seen Tai Webster on the sidelines watching his team in action. And did we mention Dontae Russo-Nance was also unavailable? That’s two big ins still to come for the Nuggies.
SOUTHLAND SHARKS
If you THINK the Sharks will be working on shooting at training this week THEN you must have seen the boxscore from their opening round loss to the Nuggets. The Sharks had 10 more shots but went at a poorly 34% (31-89) and were well beaten on the rebounds too, with a total of 47 to Otago's 63. Some work to do at the Shark Tank.
