This will be a great test for NZ after dorking the Sixers.
Hopefully they can use the Adelaide game as a stepping stone to success.

My heart says Breakers but my head says Bullets.

Not sure the Barrett family would agree with you there Jack. FYI 3 of the Barrett boys from the naki played for the All Blacks.

Vic Law could have a night out against breakers front court and the Webster's likewise against Brisbane.

Brisbane by 5.

NZ off to another hot start 11-2 with 6:30 left in the 1st

4.03 to go and it's 22/2 to NZ

Wow 22-2 and it's not even quarter time.

Is it time for a Breakers BEAST MODE thread?

27-12 at the end of the 1st quarter.
NZ were hot and Brisbane were a turnover machine.
Bullets settled with some fresh legs on the court in the last few minutes.

Brisbane looking god awful

Breakers cooled off but resting starters.
Vic Law with 3 fouls already

Bullets fighting their way back in it as the foul count evens out and they stop turning the ball over.

Well done to Brisbane for putting up a fight, Connor Henry please watch how other teams actually try to recover from the initial flurry.

Would anyone like to defend Law? Anyone at all?

Well shortened rotation with Loe & Patterson out.
Done well so far, especially the bench.

Not being disrespectful to Patterson but has Patterson's removal been a positive subtraction to the team?

Seem they trust each other and are willing to set each other up more.

If so should NZ let him go ASAP? I am not sure of the pay out rules where the player is an first year import of a new team but has played NBL previously.

Yes you get the cohesion with him out but they're running out of legs and fouls.

The coach's challenge is a joke.

Can't believe the changed the call

Big 3 from Sobey to cut the lead down to 5 with just under 2 to go

Lead is 6.

Bach with the massive 3. Damn what a pick up out of no where

When dumbass Drmic is your smartest player yiu ain't winning many games

Those Bach daggers sure are timely and welcomed, and free throws too, more than I can say for Iverson.

Breakers win two in a row.
Great composure to hold on as Brisbane threw everything at them.

Well done NZ.

And props to Brissie too for almost winning the next three quarters after a horrific first, they tied Q4.

Granted IH was injured but this is the resilience that the Sixers lacked.

Iverson was pretty banged around and had been pretty solid from the line.
Certainly kept the game interesting.

Bach was great both ends and put his hand up when Corey Webster fouled out.

How much is Orlando Johnson loving the protection that Covid affords imports?

Iverson - pricing me wrong

C Web - proving me right. Always said he should start and be focus of the offence.

Would like to see them get Sam timmins as a replacrnt for Loe. Problem us he is playing is estonia. So forget I just said that.

Proving

Timmons was very average in the NZNBL bubble despite his experience and pedigree.

Agree Mystro.

But Coach Simmons of the Bulls didn't do him any favours.

And I can't think of any nz big who is better?

And he has potential.

And I'd like to see a NZer out there.

And he can't be worse than Trist

You can't ask for more than that?? How about not playing like garbage to start the game so you're not chasing your tail to end it!!

Agree Mystro.

But Coach Simmons of the Bulls didn't do him any favours.

And I can't think of any nz big who is better? Salt is injured.

And he has potential.

And I'd like to see a NZer out there.

And he can't be worse than Trist

#328

Spot on.

I have liked Bach from early on. He gas a good shot. He started at one point but gave way to Corey. He deserves more court time and I'm sure his confidence would lift. One of the few good on ball defenders on the team.
Galloway is similar. V good outside shot and a presience defensively.
Finn is struggling with his shot and needs to get back in the low block to contribute.

Having your hands straight up is not the criteria for a foul. You have to be standing still and in the right place. Inversion foul that they reversed was ridiculous. That was a foul and referees shot themselves in the foot on that one.

Bigdog.

Why does it have to be a Kiwi?
I would rather the best available player and if it's someone who's already in Australia even better.
I would rather Dave Andersons leadership & experience over a Kiwi who's inexperienced at this level.

There aren't a ton of options unfortunately.

It would allow Galloway to play PF behind Delaney and he would be a great locker room presence.

Mystro

It doesn't have to be a kiwi. Just my preference.

I've watched the breakers for many years take aussies over kiwis. And it rarely works out.

Rarely doesn't mean never. Burton, donaldson come to mind.

But it breaks my heart when guys like wetzell train with the breakers but go elsewhere.

Yes anderson an option. Not one I'd go for. Karena will become available soon. Miller smith. Pledger. I can't think of anymore.

Auto correct my friend

Yeah finances come into it.

Get that. If they couldn't afford him in the offseason they won't afford him now.

Adam Darragh, Ben Thompson, Ryan kersten

Breakers from years gone by who should never have been breakers, but made the team bc mgmt weren't prepared to back kiwis

Yeah but it isn't the National team, it’s a pro franchise who can select who they like, they just play out of NZ (pre Covid).
I’ve been a fan since the day it was announced they would exist and have been watching every season since.
They have always had the creme of the NZ National team on the roster so there’s plenty of locals to support.
You wanted them to sign Ethan Rausbatch to the last roster spot instead of Bach because he’s a kiwi.
Look how much better Bach is. There’s a pretty large gulf between them in talent and ability.
Not knocking Rausbatch as I also like him as a player and person but I’m all for taking the best player available.

Yes but all things being equal I'd prefer a kiwi.

I can't recall if I wanted them to sign rusbatch over bach, but it sounds like me, so I won't dispute it. Is Bach that much better? I'm not sure he is. Rusbatch played well internationally and never got a chance with the breakers. Anyway I don't mind Bach.

One thing I do recall is I was critical of vodanavich playing centre last year over majok. So it's not as though I think it is kiwi everytime.

I'm not saying don't sign an Aussie. I'm saying just don't assume bc he is an Aussie he's better, and look in your own backyard first.

Fair call.

I think a lot of Coaches in the NBL give kiwis plenty of opportunity outside of the Breakers.

Mike Kelly has stuck by Jarrad Kenny and added Jordan Ngati. Vodanovich found a spot at Sydney and has been contributing and rewarded with a couple of starts. Vickerman happily poaches from NZ and Flavell's an assistant at SE Melbourne.

It used to be a lot different 15-20 years ago but the standard of basketball in NZ has risen and with it the opportunities.

Is Tai Wynyard even playing anywhere?
Was a DP with Cairns a season or two ago and has been battling injury ever since Kentucky.

Is Salt still injured?
That was quite some time ago he pulled out of the NZNBL bubble tournament.

I was thinking about Wynyard. I'm not sure where he is at. He looked out of shape in the lockdown. But his footwork and touch was great. He'd possibly only give you a minute and a half in the anbl with the shape he was in. He was rated up there with humphries at one stage.

Salt is injured still

Yep both melbourne teams and cairns run with kiwis.

Galloway took Loe's place on the playing roster I believe.

Be nice to replace Trist with someone capable of contributing more but I'm not sure Shamir would necessarily play them. He seems to like shorter rotations than Lemanis, Vickerman or Henare who would pretty much play everyone at some point.

Playing extended minutes has Iverson looking pretty sharp after looking terrible in his first few games and Delaney has also been playing big minutes but looks to be enjoying it.

Vodanovich had his opportunity and stuffed it up by misbehaving on the plane when returning from Perth and reportedly struggled with some of the plays in training.
Glad he's getting another chance with Sydney and likewise for Jordan Ngatai.