Basketball: Coach puts head down for march to world champs

By PETER JESSUP

Tall Black coach Tab Baldwin has his feet firmly back on the ground two weeks after New Zealand's upset victories over Australia.

Part of that sober attitude is due to what has since happened to his transtasman counterpart, Phil Smyth, who "resigned" eight months into a four-year contract that was supposed to deliver an Olympic medal.

Baldwin, preparing for a world championship tournament in the Oceania spot that the Australians had banked on, was a bit shattered by the news and took no triumph in it.

"I almost feel bad because the victory on our part was used to crucify the guy."

Smyth, a legend in Australian basketball, played 365 tests for the Boomers and went to four Olympics, captaining the team at three of them.





Tall Black Dillon Boucher has been approached by Smyth's team in the Australian league, the Adelaide 36ers, to take part in pre-season trials.

He was yesterday awaiting confirmation of a deal and said he would jump at the chance of a professional career across the Tasman.

Baldwin wants as many of the Tall Blacks overseas now as possible, competing at the top level.

The 36ers were champions in 1998 and 1999, Smyth's first years as head coach. He has 37 wins and 19 losses for a 66 per cent winning record in the league.

Smyth's likely replacement as Boomers helmsman is the next-best-performed league coach, Brian Goorjian of the Victoria Titans.

Baldwin will gain insight to his coaching methods from Tall Black and Titans guard Mark Dickel.

Basketball NZ manager David Crocker is in Europe this week seeking international competition.

Teams have traditionally been reluctant to travel Down Under and when they do, they only go to Australia - but that is expected to change.

"Aussie isn't in the driver's seat any more," Baldwin said."We'd love to bring anyone we can here."

The Sports Foundation has already offered more money for the world championship campaign.

Baldwin is hoping for a 30-game build-up to the tournament, in Indianapolis next August.

First step is a development tour for prospective internationals and the younger players in the Tall Blacks squad.

They will go to the United States from November 1 to 14 for games against top university sides, with assistant coach Nenad Vucinic in charge.

The tourists will be named on Monday. The coaches have agreed on who to take and are now checking their availability.

Baldwin will join them after the first two games, following a visit to Lithuania and two top American colleges.

He wants to see how Lithuania, with a similar population to New Zealand's, runs its league to such a high standard - second at the Sydney Olympics and regulars at the world championships.

In the US, he will go to Duke University and Michael Jordan's old school, North Carolina.

Next week, Baldwin will be across the Tasman watching the last days of pre-season build-up for the Sydney Kings.

And in between all that, he must decide if he wants to continue coaching the Auckland league side. The answer looks increasingly like "no."

"I'll make a decision in the best interest of the national team."

This is an important year. Basketball is on a roll since the wins over Australia - a roll Baldwin wants to kick along.