American import Dustin Scott's double-doubles will spell just as much trouble for the opposition.
The big man role, Dustin Scott will be the first to tell you, doesn't sit too comfortably with him.
That is in the face of how he and fellow biggie Kareem Johnson have helped nut out the IMS Payroll Hawks' imposing season this year.
Between them the US imports have racked up seven double-doubles in the points and rebounds department of the Bartercard National Basketball League (NBL) and five agonisingly close to it.
In the match against the Canterbury Rams in May, Scott claimed a staggering 16 rebounds.
"For me and Kareem we have always had to set an example for the young guys," says the 29-year-old Charleston University graduate before the Paora Winitana-led Hawks tip off at 6pm today in the first semifinal at the ASB Stadium against Zerofees Southland Sharks.
Scott hastens to point out while double-doubles have been abundant their contributions aren't in the game-high vicinity of 29 points and 15 rebounds.
"We've scored like 12 points and 10 rebounds so it's been good to help the team out."
Because he finds himself outside the perimeter he has become used to living in the contact zone.
In fact on arriving in Napier early this year, Scott revealed in his childhood years his older, bigger and stronger cousins bullied him and twin brother Justin in the backyard of their grandmother's house in South Carolina. That sort of systematic bullying in American football has helped develop his steely resolve in the basketball courts.
"I'm trying to get rebounds on the 4-5 [power forward/centre] position against the post.
"Tab always tells me to take a shot from outside the perimeter," says the versatile player in his debut season for the Paora Winitana-captained Hawks. Equally adept inside and outside, he tends to scan the court for point guard Jarrod Kenny.
"I'm never worried about getting my shots away because I want to do that for my teammates."
The chemistry Kareem and Johnson have developed is the envy and consternation of their NBL rivals.
"I've been playing with Kareem since February 12 so I've learned his movements."
That sense of connectivity on court is mutual with Johnson.
"As long as me and Kareem start as big men and do rebounding and boxing out, we'll be okay.
"We don't have to score big shots."
Scott points out most NBL teams this season have had one or two players who do the bulk of their scoring.
"We're a complete team. Our starting five can score by making their own play.
"I don't see any other team that does have that sort of five."
Two seasons ago, the Wellington Saints had physically ground down the then Henare-coached Hawks in the No1 v No4 semifinals before going to snip the net on the rim.
Scott brings a different sense of assurance to the match against the Sharks.
"When you go to the playoffs, it isn't about getting physical. It's about being smart."
He emphasises it isn't a best of five or seven playoffs but a one-off knockout. Making it difficult for the Sharks to catch the ball or go for the rim are the foundation for success.
"You have to take care of your man and mark as a team."
No doubt he is a wiser man than when he started the season, coming to terms with an NBL that many imports have struggled with.
"I've learned not to use my hands when I'm not supposed [to]."
Basically it doesn't pay to be in foul trouble in the first quarter because Johnson and the team rely on him. Having heard of the Hawks' demise last year, he concluded the other teams must have been good.
In the final four, the mantra of a game at a time will remain. The Saints play the Giants in the second semifinal at 8.30pm.
Hawks in NZ equation
Hawks pair Everard Bartlett and Jarrod Kenny are in prime position to catch the eye of national selectors from tonight.
Bartlett, a shooting guard, is having the time of his life with the IMS Payroll Hawks who are in the Final Four today.
Point guard Kenny, who has been in and out of the Tall Blacks equation, has also had a stellar season in conducting proceedings this winter.
It's difficult to see a Tall Blacks in the Fiba World Cup year and with the home series against Korea not factoring the Hawks duo.
Last week 24 players were named to attend trials in Auckland next week, the Tall Blacks coaching group has laid down a marker, identifying the players that are in contention for national honours in this FIBA World Cup season.
Nine of those contenders will be taking the court at the TSB Arena in Wellington in the Final Four of the Bartercard National Basketball League.
Zerofees Southland Sharks coach Paul Henare is an assistant with Advice First Waikato Pistons coach Pero Cameron.
Tall Blacks coach Nenad Vucinic was expected in New Zealand yesterday before heading off to today's playoffs.