Photo credit: Blake Armstrong
AUCKLAND TUATARA
If you THINK the Tuatara will be fun to watch this season THEN find a replay of Sunday’s second quarter against the Rams and fill your ‘Rated E’ cup to the top with Energy, Entertainment, Excitement and Exceptional …shooting. Wow!
FRANKLIN BULLS
It you THINK the Franklin Bulls have a few mouths to feed, which they are doing rather well by the way, THEN get set for Dom Kelman-Poto and Jordan Hunt to join the dinner table over the coming weeks. This is quickly becoming a feast that just needs some silverware to adorn the middle of the table.
WHAI
If you THINK season one might come with some bumps and bruises for the Whai THEN you didn't close your eyes while they copped a playground beatdown by the Airs last week. The boys from New Plymouth schooled the Whai in more ways than one, dishing out some lessons that will surely be discussed in team meetings this week.
TARANAKI STEELFORMERS AIRS
If you THINK the Airs are buying into ‘Rated E for Entertainment’ this season THEN you will have loved seeing (and hearing) the guy on the electric guitar during last week’s pre-game at TSB Stadium. Some seriously good shredding and a guitar solo that was well worth the entry fee to the game. And the play on the court wasn't too bad either.
PROPERTY BROKERS MANAWATU JETS
If you THINK the Jets have high hopes of playing finals basketball this season THEN we’ll let you tell them they need to win games at home. Losses to the Airs (5pts) and Hawks (3pts) at Fly Palmy Arena will surely come back to bite the team in green.
TAYLOR HAWKE’S BAY HAWKS
If you THINK the Hawks were just going to make up the numbers this season THEN you might want to re-think your prediction and get along and watch this hard-working team who look better every time they hit the court. Don’t sleep on the Hawks.
MILLS & ALBERT WELLINGTON SAINTS
If you THINK the Saints are going to live and die by the three-ball this season THEN their game against the Nuggets was the perfect example. In the first half the Saints poured on 65 points with 14/22 shooting from downtown, but it turned sour in the second half when they added 33 points on 5/19 shooting from beyond the arc.
NBS NELSON GIANTS
If you THINK the Giants were happy to see captain Sam Dempster back in action THEN you need only look at the way every player lifted around their leader and delivered a tough, gritty win against the fancied Tuatara. It was a victory that will have everyone walking a foot taller in Nelson this week.
WHEELER MOTOR COMPANY CANTERBURY RAMS
If you THINK the Rams looked undersized against the Tuatara THEN you’ll be very happy to hear import forward KJ Buffen arrives this week and young Aussie hardman Lachie Olbrich will return to action. Unfortunately though it appears Max Darling will be sidelined again with concussion.
NIGHT n' DAY OTAGO NUGGETS
If you THINK the Nuggets are a chance to go all the way this season THEN you will be feeling even more confident after a memorable win against the Saints. In a high-level contest, the Nuggets finished strongly, led again by Aussie teenage sensation Ben Henshall. With Dontae Russo-Nance expected to return in the coming weeks, surely it won’t be long before the Nuggets will be billed as the team to beat in 2024.
SOUTHLAND SHARKS
If you THINK the Sharks’ finals aspirations are sinking fast after four straight losses THEN put the life jacket on and keep paddling a little longer because an American import PG from Europe is said to be on his way and is expected to arrive soon, but is it soon enough?
