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ADELAIDE 36ERS BRISBANE BULLETS MELBOURNE UNITED SEM PHOENIX SYDNEY KINGS TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS MARC HINTON

Last season, of course, the Breakers played their first 29 games of an ill-fated campaign in Australia, spending 154 days in total across the ditch. AsMaor mentions, there is a familiarity about the challenge looming this season, though one a vastly different groupwill deal with in its own way.

‘‘Before Covid came throughwe’d had a really good couple of weeks and made huge improvements,’’ said Delany of a period that saw them roll both the Sydney Kings and Phoenix. ‘‘It’s hard to know wherewe’re at, but we’ve had really good practices, and I’m proud of the guys, and proud of Mody, in how we’ve dealtwith it.’’

For his part, Maor, a vibrant personality whose courtside demeanour normally contrastswith the stoic Shamir, vows to make the most of his unexpected promotion.

‘‘I love this team, I love this club and I care about Dan a lot and don’t want to let him down,’’ he said. ‘‘I want him to feel like he has the time and space to get better and doesn’t need to rush anything. And I want to help the team win so he feels good.’’

As for the step up in responsibilities, the experienced Israeli coach feels ready for what’s coming.

‘‘This has been forced up on us, but it’s the handwe’ve been dealt and the hand we’re going to play,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s very different ... the difference between making suggestions and making decisions.’’

There had been signs pre-season the groupwas coming together nicely. Imports Peyton Siva and Jeremiah Martin had hinted at their class, young French duo Hugo Besson and Ousmane Dieng had produced confidence-boosting efforts and the local pieces were shaping nicely. YanniWetzell, in particular, had looked a seamless addition.

But how much has the time off curtailed momentum? And can they cope without the key figures they will be absent?

Then there’s the Phoenix to

What: ANBL, South East Melbourne Phoenix v NZ Breakers

When, where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne, tonight 10pm (NZT) TAB odds: Phoenix $1.37, Breakers $2.90

Breakers squad: Tom Abercrombie (out injured), Rasmus Bach, Hugo Besson, Isaac Davidson, Kyrin Galloway, Finn Delany, Ousmane Dieng, Rob Loe, Jeremiah Martin, William McDowell-White, Peyton Siva, Yanni Wetzell, Sam Timmins (DP), Princepal Singh (DP).

consider. They are a quality group who return a lot of pieces from the team that was one bad quarter from making the grand final last season. Mitch Creek and Ryan Broekhoff provide the Aussie class, new import Xavier Munford looks a quality point guard, Kiwis Reuben Te Rangi, Tohi Smith-Milner and Izayah Le’afa will play their roles and China’s Zhou Qi shapes as an influence in the paint.

Delany tagged the Phoenix a ‘‘talented group who like to play fast’’ but felt the Breakers had a good handle on their opponents after a couple of pre-season sighters.

Problematic buildup or not, it is time for Maor’s men to shine.

The skinny: Useful pickups in titlewinner Mitch McCarron (from Melbourne) and Dunedin-born NBA hopeful Mojave King (Cairns), and have added a pair of useful imports (Dusty Hannah and ToddWithers) to go with a strong Aussie frontline of Daniel Johnson, Isaac Humphries and CamBairstow. 2.18m Filipino Kai Sotto an unknown. Will miss Josh Giddy’s playmaking but capable of contending.

Predicted finish: 7th.

The skinny: New era with James Duncan taking over from Andrej Lemanis as coach, Otago Nuggets import Isaiah Moss and Robert Franks joining ex-Breakers fatty Lamar Patterson as restricted players and Kiwi Jack Salt, China’s 2.25m Chuanxing Liu and Spanish/French Next Star Tom Digbeu also new. Nathan Sobey, Jason Cadee, Tall Black Tyrell Harrison and Anthony Drmic all return.

Finish: 8th games, but haven’t added enough top-end class to be truly competitive. Well out of the money.

Finish: 9th.

ILLAWARRAHAWKS

The skinny: Master coach Brian Goorjian will give them every chance, and he has a lot of weapons with Tyler Harvey and Justinian Jessup back to lead the backcourt attack, Aussie Olympian Duop Reath boosting their front court and new imports Antonius Cleveland and Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Harry Froling adding to a useful rotation. Finish: Semifinalists.

The skinny: Losses of Jock Landale (NBA) and Mitch McCarron hurt, but Dean Vickerman has added Boomers great Matty Dellavedova, sharp Nigerian Caleb Agada, German Next Star Ariel Hukporti, veteran Aussie Brad Newley and Kiwi NBL MVP Dion Prewster to a solid roster. Shea Ili will again be key on defence.

Finish: Semifinalists. rise and Matt Hodgson boosting the interior, the perennial contenders should be there or thereabouts again. Finish: Semifinalists.

The skinny: If sharpshooter Ryan Broekhoff can hit top form, could contend again. Mitch Creek will lead from the front, Xavier Munford looks a useful point guard and there are plenty of solid support pieces, including Kiwis Reuben Te Rangi and Izayah Le’afa. Need a lot to go their way.

Finish: 5th.

The skinny: Quality, deep lineup, and bookies’ favourites for the title. Jarrell Martin back as key import, Jaylen Adams and RJ Hunter added and outstanding support cast headed by Dejan Vasiljevic, Xavier Cooks and Angus Glover. Kiwi Tom Vodanovich should see important minutes too. Finish: Semifinalists.

The skinny: The newcomers shouldn’t be easybeats, but it’s always tough year one for an expansion franchise.

Finish: 10th.

Sport

en-nz

2021-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282029035513210

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