Basketball: Marks primed to apply heat

By PETER JESSUP

A nervous but excited Kiwi basketballer Sean Marks is awaiting word on his job with the Miami Heat while joining the Tall Blacks for the first time since the Sydney Olympics.

Marks, who is desperate to be part of the world championships squad, is in New Zealand for the camp that precedes the Tall Blacks' five-test series with Hungary, starting in Auckland on Friday night.

However, he cannot play in the series as he is waiting for a finger injury to heal.

The 26-year-old has had surgery to repair tendons in the third digit of his left hand after dislocating it 20 times during the past NBA season.

While the Heat can release him as of yesterday, Marks has asked for a one-year contract with guaranteed play or a release.

Coach Pat Riley has told Marks he wants him and the 2.08m former Aucklander will stay if he can.

"He says I've still got some growing to do in the game and that I'll be at my peak from 28 to 32, so I hope he's right," Marks said.

But it is the first time Riley has not had a team in the playoffs in his 22-year career, so management may take a big hand in squad make-up.

While waiting for an answer, Marks is happy to offer whatever he can to the Tall Blacks squad and will soak up the new systems and atmosphere of coach Tab Baldwin, who succeeded Keith Mair.

There is new self-confidence within the squad, along with realisation of the enormity of the task ahead.

Marks will be part of the squad to play a tournament in Germany, then two tests in Canada ahead of the Indianapolis championships that start late next month.

"I'm not here for a holiday," he said. "When we go to Europe I want to be in the best shape of my life. It's an exciting time for New Zealand basketball and it's good to be part of it."

Marks knows some of the opponents they will face in the United States, and knows New Zealand will be up against it in terms of skill and size.

"It's like the Olympics, when we brought other things to the table. We have to hustle, take it to them, play scrappy and get under their skin, annoy them and put them off their game."

He is likely to go forward from guard because of his size and the Tall Blacks' strength in the position.

"I'm happy to play where they need me."

The Tall Blacks' other American-resident player, 21-year-old Kirk Penney, also joined the squad yesterday.

Penney has one more year as a senior at the University of Wisconsin, where he has been a standout for the Badgers side.

Marks reckons Penney's chances of becoming the second Kiwi NBA player are good, provided he can perform at the team summer camps that he is likely to be invited to.

* The American Chamber of Commerce, the Carbine Club and former Tall Blacks have combined to put on a fundraising dinner for the team on Thursday night as recognition of their effort in making the world championships and to help their preparation for the event.

* After the match in Auckland, the series against Hungary will move to Palmerston North on Saturday, New Plymouth on Monday, Nelson on Wednesday and will wind up in Christchurch on Friday.

Baldwin will then cut his 15-man squad to 12 for more lead-up games in Europe and Canada.

* Tall Black guards Paul Henare, Judd Flavell, Phill Jones and Mark Dickel were in devastating form for their national league sides at the weekend.

Henare top-scored with 33 for Hawkes Bay as they dumped Otago 94-88 on the road.

Flavell and Jones backed up a solid but sporadic performance when the Nelson Giants lost 79-75 to Auckland on Friday night with a more consistent game on Saturday as they beat the Harbour Kings 92-71.

When the pair controlled the pace of Friday's game, Nelson scored; when they didn't, Auckland scored.

On Saturday, Flavell had 25 points and Jones 15. On Friday it was Jones 25, Flavell 13.

If you defend against one, the other gets left open, which meant the Kings had no chance.

Dickel had 21 as the Wellington Saints topped the visiting Palmerston North Jets 96-84, only two behind import forward Kevin Brooks' 23. Dickel's energy sparked a halftime 55-39 lead that the visitors could not drag in, despite 28 from Clifton Bush and 22 from Kent Mori.

Canterbury yesterday beat Hawkes Bay 96-85.

The weekend's results do not alter playoff chances. Canterbury, Waikato and Nelson are definitely in and the Jets are fourth and are likely to hold out any late challenge from Auckland or Hawkes Bay.

The Jets host the Saints after Saturday's Tall Black-Hungary test.

The Saints must win again to keep playoff hopes alive and the same applies to Auckland when they desert home court to cross the bridge and play Canterbury as the curtainraiser to the test on Friday night.