Photo credit: Masanori Udagawa/Photo Wellington
AUCKLAND TUATARA
If you THINK the Tuatara’s Corey Webster is happy playing ball back in the 09 THEN it is showing in a big way. The 35-year-old Kiwi star racked up big numbers against the Jets and stuffed the stat sheet with 29 points and 13 assists, increasing his season averages to 22.7 points (fourth in the league) and 8.2 assists per game which happens to lead the league. Anyone else thinking MVP?
FRANKLIN BULLS
If you THINK the Bulls are happy with their recruitment of Luther Muhammad THEN you better believe the feeling is mutual form the scoring machine. Seemingly always smiling, Muhammad punished the Sharks last Friday night on his way to an effortless 28 points in 25 minutes. His quick steps and ability to blow past defenders is Rated E for Entertainment. He has proven he is going to be a handful for opposing teams all season long.
TAURANGA WHAI
If you THINK the Whai will settle for ‘just doing their best’ each week THEN much like the Nuggets in round 7 you will find out the hard way because this Whai team will scratch, claw and scrap its way to a win anyway it can. It wasn’t pretty basketball, but the 70-69 victory delivered plenty of thrills and spills. And as for Vance Jackson Jnr being released before the game … we wish you well!
STEELFORMERS TARANAKI AIRS
If you THINK the Airs medical staff have had an easy run so far in 2024 THEN spare a thought for those who had to snap Derone Raukawa’s nose back into place on Sunday after the ever-smiling guard copped the full brunt of Callum McRae’s head on a move to the basket. Captured in graphic detail on Sky’s coverage, the clash was big and Derone’s nose was bent out of shape … literally and figuratively!
TAYLOR HAWKE’S BAY HAWKS
If you THINK the Hawks are a sneaky chance to make the final 6 this season THEN those chances improved greatly in R7 with a win over the Nuggets. The starting five piled up 110 of the team’s 116 points and continue to look like a unit that no team should be taking lightly. This is a team under a great development coach in Sam Gruggen that is starting to believe.
PROPERTY BROKERS MANAWATU JETS
If you THINK the Jets (1-8) are struggling for answers right now THEN you may be looking for any possible path to improvement, and that is likely to start with looking after the ball and reducing turnovers. The Jets have an average of 15. 7 turnovers per game, second worst in the League only to the Sharks (16.5). In Saturday night’s game against the Tuatara, the Jets coughed up possession 23 times, which led to the Tuatara scoring 36 points off turnovers in their 110-72 victory.
MILLS ALBERT WELLINGTON SAINTS
If you THINK the Saints have championship number 13 in sight THEN you better stop that talk right now and focus on the job at hand just as the Saints are surely doing today. The Saints were reminded just how tough the Sal’s NBL is with the Giants completing a brilliant ‘smash & grab’ on Sunday night in the capital. With Hyrum Harris still sidelined, the Saints looked vulnerable defensively as they gave up 105 points to the barnstorming Giants.
NBS NELSON GIANTS
If you THINK the Giants were looking for some confidence after a disappointing loss to the Nuggets THEN they found it in a big way with a 105-96 win in the capital over the Saints. Coach Mike Fitchett has been in charge of the Giants since 2019 and enjoyed some good wins along the way, but taking down the top-of-the-ladder Saints on their home patch might just be the coach’s best dub yet.
WHEELER MOTOR COMPANY CANTERBURY RAMS
If you THINK the 2023 champs are eager for some ‘back-back championship’ action THEN you just know they will be on cloud 9 after taking down the Airs in a thriller. This was billed as match-of-the-round and it lived up to all expectations with Taylor Britt and Lachie Olbrich showing all the class that has the Rams poised for a another deep run this July. As for the Australian master (Sam Froling, 13pts 10rb) and apprentice (Lachie Olbrich, 22pts 10rb) clash … the apprentice took the points this time round.
NIGHT 'n DAY OTAGO NUGGETS
If you THINK the Nuggets are frustrating to watch right now THEN you copped the full dose of that frustration in R7. On the road and coming off the back of a great win against the Giants where celebrations were at fever pitch given it was the team’s 50th win since re-entering the Sal’s NBL, the Nuggets fell flat in losses to the Whai and Hawks. In particular the loss in Tauranga was arguably the Nuggets’ worst performance of the season, it was difficult to watch. The Nuggets have won just one of their last six games and are officially in a slump.
SOUTHLAND SHARKS
If you THINK the Sharks need to look for positives right now THEN look no further than captain Alonzo Burton. The skipper did his best to lead from the front in R7 and keep his teammates focused on small steps and positivity. Burton averaged 19.5 points in games against the Bulls and Airs and worked tirelessly in defence. When the chips are down, the first person you want leading by example is the captain and Burton didn’t let coach Guy Molloy down.
