HAMISH BIDWELL
If you heard it from someone else, you'd scoff. But when Hawks captain Paora Winitana says he dreamt his team would beat the Auckland Stars in the National Basketball League final, you know the devout Mormon is being fair dinkum.
His vision may not have included an 84-69 full-time score,
but the league and final MVP was on the money with the rest, as his beloved Hawks trounced the two-time defending champions to win their maiden Primo NBL title.
"At the start of the year I told everyone that I had a dream that we won," said Winitana from amid the Hawke's Bay fans who packed the North Shore Events Centre.
"All the boys were like, 'for real?' And asking in detail what happened. I knew we were away from home and playing Auckland, but I didn't think it was at their normal home stadium. I'm not exactly sure where it was, but I think it might've been here," he said as he gestured around the building.
"I told coach the same thing and he said 'this could be us, mate'. This is unreal, I'm speechless."
As was the grand old man of New Zealand basketball, Willie Burton, 44, who can leave his own Never Never Land at last. After 21 years, the man from Miller, Georgia, secured the one crown that had eluded him in a Hall of Fame career.
"Good things come to those who wait, and I'm one of those - I waited my turn," he said. "This is it. I'm gone."
But he'll never be forgotten. Paul Henare told Burton he loved him during an emotional embrace and both he and Winitana paid tribute to "Big Willie".
Winitana said: "He was at the free-throw line and I gave him a (high) five and said 'I told you this was our championship' and he looked at me and said 'thank you, Paora', and I said 'no, thank you, Will B."
"This was something I know myself, and a lot of the other guys, really wanted to do for him and help him achieve," Henare said.
"There's nothing more to add to his resume and he can finally retire now."
* Hawks win big one - p9
