BASKETBALL: Hawks in the dark over Majstrovich's shock departure

HAMISH BIDWELL
Pettigrew-Green Arena favourite Adrian Majstrovich has walked out on the final year of his contract with the Hawks. The only member of this year's Primo NBL-winning team to have put pen to paper for next year, Majstrovich's plea for a release was granted by the club earlier this week.
Attempts to track the 2004 NBL MVP down in Adelaide yesterday, where he plays for ANBL club the 36ers, proved fruitless and even Hawks management concede they've yet to receive an explanation from him either.
"Basically, the club and Adrian have come to a mutual agreement to part ways," said 0800 Easy LPG Hawks coach Shawn Dennis.
"I'm not 100 percent sure what the reasons are, but the information I've been given is that he asked management for a release. I haven't actually spoken to Adrian myself."
With that elusive first NBL title having been secured, it seemed inevitable that one or two players might leave the Hawks' nest in 2007. But not Majstrovich. Aside from having a signed contract, the 201cm 102kg forward has always said that he would come back to Hawke's Bay for as long as Hawks boss Jeremy Bayliss wanted him.
Majstrovich said the pair had forged a special relationship in his time here and that he wouldn't betray that by playing for someone else.
Taking the burden of media statements off Bayliss is among the many duties new general manager Michael Barbour has been asked to perform, but despite speaking on behalf of his boss, he too said he had no idea what Majstrovich's motives are.
"I'm only surmising, but perhaps playing in the ANBL and NBL for four years straight has taken its toll and, perhaps, Adrian just needs a rest. As I say, I'm just surmising. I really don't know," said Barbour.
Aside from his play, Majstrovich's nationality will leave a big hole in the 2007 roster. Despite being as fair dinkum Australian as VB and Four'N Twenty pies, the 26-year-old was able to play in the league as a local, by virtue of being born in Turangi.
Nevertheless, Dennis said his departure would not be allowed to affect the team and that the motivation to go back-to-back in 2007 was as strong as ever.
"Oh, hell yeah. I can't wait. We've got verbal agreements from the rest of this year's team and I'm starting pre-season training with the local guys next week," said Dennis.
"We're confident we'll be right up there again. I basically tell Jeremy and Mike Barbour who I want and then they take care of the monetary and contract side of things.
"But who we get is wholly and solely my decision and I do a lot of research to make sure we get the right people. This season is all about defending the title and I only want people who are totally committed and right behind that effort."