Should help in late run for playoffs. Played at pretty high level in Greece, so seems well qualified. Together with Carter we could now mount a challenge. Might now be able to run some on balls and let him go to work. Find out tomorrow night. Just beats the 8 game threshold. Stockton's gone I suppose?
Lucky we have the $'s to throw around.

Boti:

Stockton is making the trip to Cairns, but it's unclear exactly how much game time he will produce.

"The initial response after the Sydney game was he could be a couple of weeks," coach Paul Henare said.

"He seems to have freed up this week, and he got through training OK. We'll take him up there and see how he goes."

That's a good comparison to Jamar Wilson. Could see it straight away from the first highlight

Breakers Update tonight.

6:59 PM Thursday Jan 5, 2017
SHARE:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
LinkedIn
Save
Australian Basketball League
Basketball
Kevin Dillard during his college days with Dayton Flyers, up against former ANBL and Southland Sharks player Jordair Jett. Photo / Getty
Kevin Dillard during his college days with Dayton Flyers, up against former ANBL and Southland Sharks player Jordair Jett. Photo / Getty
The New Zealand Breakers have reportedly called upon their fifth import in a testing ANBL season.

According to respected European basketball reporter David Pick, the Breakers have signed American point guard Kevin Dillard as a replacement for David Stockton.

Dillard would be the team's third point guard this season, after an early injury to inital import Ben Woodside.

The 27 year old has a well-travelled resume similar to that of recent recruit Paul Carter, having played in Italy, Latvia, France, Greece, Belgium and Turkey.

His most recent stint was with Turkish side Pinar Karsiyaka, where he averaged 10 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, shooting 42% from the field and 46% from deep.

Throughout his career, the 6'0" Dillard profiles as an above-average three-point shooter, and reliable at the free-throw line.

Dillard's arrival would force Stockton out, with Carter and Akil Mitchell filling out the other import spots on the roster.

If Stockton is to be replaced, it would be a relatively recent decision.

The diminutive ball-handler aggravated a back injury in a game against Sydney Kings, but initially was set to make the trip to Cairns for tomorrow's clash with the Taipans.

"The initial response after the Sydney game was he could be a couple of weeks," Breakers coach Paul Henare said earlier this week.

"He seems to have freed up this week, and he got through training OK today. We'll take him up there and see how he goes."

Stockton averaged nine points and 4.3 assists per game on 38 percent shooting in nine games for the Breakers.

Earlier today, Corey Webster was ruled out for the season after deciding to undergo surgery, while Woodside (longterm) and Tom Abercrombie (2-3 weeks) are also sidelined.

- NZ Herald

Has played in two quality leagues in Turkey and Italy, similar standard to NBL. Was averaging 12p and 5a in the Turkish league this year hitting 52% of his triples, which is damn impressive.

His ability to penetrate will be very handy with Penney, Loe and Abercrombie (once he returns) on the wings. A good fit and another plus for the NBL from the unfortunate situation in Turkey.

Scrap that about Italy, that was his first stop and he played Div 2, but has held his own in France and Greece too which are good leagues.

So is he replacing Stockton or Webster?

Webster isn't an import.

He's replacing Stockton. Carter replaced Webster

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Stockton's back tonight. Sounds like he's just been dumped.

Why o Why o Why.
If Dillard was to come in he had to come in for both games of the double header. Now it is MUST MUST win against the comp leaders Sunday( to go to 9 of 11) and no margin for error the rest of the season. (4 home including Perth. Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney , 4 away including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hawks) requiring at least 6 wins.
I have said for the past month that there were doubts around Stockton. And what was going on with keeping Woodside hanging around.
Dillon rabbits on about club values blah, blah, blah. There is only one value that counts in his line of work and that is a building a winning team (right players) a la Melbourne, Sixers and then keeping it winning (right coaching).
It was clear early in the season that ball handling on this team was weak, and TO's would prove a problem.
Dillon needed to be decisive. Need a miracle now.

Why o Why o Why.
If Dillard was to come in he had to come in for both games of the double header. Now it is MUST MUST win against the comp leaders Sunday( to go to 9 of 11) and no margin for error the rest of the season. (4 home including Perth. Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney , 4 away including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hawks) requiring at least 6 wins.
I have said for the past month that there were doubts around Stockton. And what was going on with keeping Woodside hanging around.
Dillon rabbits on about club values blah, blah, blah. There is only one value that counts in his line of work and that is a building a winning team (right players) a la Melbourne, Sixers and then keeping it winning (right coaching).
It was clear early in the season that ball handling on this team was weak, and TO's would prove a problem.
Dillon needed to be decisive. Need a miracle now.

Good move. Stockton was one of the worst defensive PGs going around, it was laughable trying to watch him execute the switching schemes they were running last night. I thought they should have moved on Stockton before Christmas so the new PG was ready for the Sydney game, but maybe that wasn't possible with clearances etc?