Tall Blacks star Shea Ili on Delly, defence and Dean

ast 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. As Maor mentions, there is a familiarity about the challenge looming this season, though one a vastly different group will deal with in its own way.

``Before Covid came through we’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 where we’re at, but we’ve had really good practices, and I’m proud of the guys, and proud of Mody, in how we’ve dealt with it.’’

For his part, Maor, a vibrant

Some big-name players have come and gone, but Tall Blacks star Shea Ili figures his role won’t change much when Melbourne United step on court tomorrow to tip off the defence of their Australian NBL crown.

Ili has been a key piece in the Melbourne makeup ever since New Zealand Breakers owner Matt Walsh decided – erroneously, many believe – to cut the hard-nosed point guard loose in 2019.

United coach, and former Breakers mentor, Dean Vickerman could not believe his fortune when the defence-first guard popped up on the free agent’s list, and quickly snapped up the New Zealander to shore up his backcourt.

Their partnership has proved a fruitful one, to say the least, with Melbourne bowing out as beaten semifinalists in Ili’s first campaign (2019-20), and going all the way to the franchise’s sixth championship last season when they swept the Perth Wildcats in the grand final. It was Ili’s second title, after he won one as a development player with the Breakers in 2015.

The Kiwi described Melbourne’s run to their second title under the United banner as ``fun’’. Eventually. After an ankle injury removed him for a big chunk of the first half of the season, the feisty Kiwi returned to add his distinctive defensive stamp personality whose courtside demeanour normally contrasts with 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 hand we’ve been dealt and the hand we’re going to play,’’ he over the run home.

``We were deep, and had a core group who had been there for a couple of years. We stuck together and got a chip,’’ he reflected. ``After the injury it was good to get out and do what I do best, which is play good D on the main players. We had great chemistry on defence, subbing in and out and just taking turns said. ``It’s very different . . . the difference between making suggestions and making decisions.’’

There had been signs pre-season the group was 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. Yanni Wetzell, 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 guarding the import guards.

``It was a great rhythm we had throughout the year.’’

That ``rhythm’’ will have to be found with a new group for 2021-22. Star centre Jock Landale is now in the NBA with the Spurs, influential combo guard Mitch McCarron has moved to the Adelaide 36ers, Sam McDaniel to expansion club

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.

Tasmania and import Scotty Hopson and Japanese guard Yudai Baba have both also departed.

In has come former NBA champion and Aussie Boomer Matthew Dellavedova, as well as German Next Star Ariel Hukporti, new import Caleb Agada, veteran swingman Brad Newley and Tall Black Dion Prewster.

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 Todd Withers) to go with a strong Aussie frontline of Daniel Johnson, Isaac Humphries and Cam Bairstow. 2.18m Filipino Kai Sotto an unknown. Will miss Josh Giddy’s playmaking but capable of contending.

Predicted finish: 7th.

BRISBANE BULLETS

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

CAIRNS TAIPANS

The skinny: The ebullient Scott Machado will keep them in some

``When you win a championship it’s always tough to bring guys back, especially when new teams come into the league,’’ said Ili of the change-ups. ``Teams are trying to build great chemistry and they want guys with championshipwinning experience.’’

But the 29-year-old New Zealander likes what Vickerman has put together, with Dellavedova the key addition after a nine-year NBA career that included a championship with LeBron James and the Cavaliers in 2016.

The prospect of logging significant backcourt minutes alongside the defence-minded Aussie excites Ili, as much as it should scare opposing guards throughout the league.

``Just the knowledge he gives out every day in practice, and seeing the way he goes about his business . . . it’s awesome to play with someone with that experience who’s likeminded and defence-first,’’ noted Ili.

The Kiwi doesn’t figure on his role changing much this year either. He’ll still come off the bench, still provide the hustle on defence, and still look to knock down shots when teams dare him to shoot, and use his speed off the dribble when they don’t.

As always, Ili is trying to round out his game. Melbourne didn’t rely on him as a scorer (he averaged 7.1 points for the season), but his 42 percent hit-rate from deep reflected a

Finish:

ILLAWARRA HAWKS

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. MELBOURNE UNITED

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.

PERTH WILDCATS

The skinny. With Bryce Cotton healthy again, Vic Law an outstanding import pickup, Luke Travers on the part of the game he continues to work hard on.

``I knew it was a weakness in my game, and I had to work on it, and be confident in shooting that shot,’’ he said. ``If guys were going to leave me open, I’ve got to help my team by hitting those shots.’’

Ili is happy where he is now, enjoying life in Melbourne with wife Morgan and their two young children and rapt to play under a coach [Vickerman] who trusts his players and stays well clear of his import quota. ``He’s a great coach, and lets people play the way they want to play, as long as it’s in the

SEM PHOENIX

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.

SYDNEY KINGS

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.

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

Finish: 10th. system. He likes us to get up and down and get easy buckets, and that’s the way I like to play.’’

Ili is also rapt to have fellow Tall Black Prewster on board with Melbourne for 2021-22, and is confident the slick Saints star can provide key minutes when called upon.

``He likes to get up and in, and play physical, which fits us well. He’s always been under the radar, but he’s a great player, and showed that for the Tall Blacks when we beat the Aussies in Brisbane.’’ Melbourne have a tough opening at title favourites Sydney tomorrow (5pm,NZT) and Ili knows one thing for sure: ``We know we’ve got that target on our backs and we know we’re going to get everyone’s best shots. We’ve just got to play great.’’

Cairns:

Melbourne:

SEM Phoenix:

Sydney: