The Waikato Pistons have dropped Aussie import Graeme Dann for American forward/centre Kitwana Rhymer in a last-ditch bid to revive their season.
Manager John Davey reckons they need to win eight of their last 10 games in order to make the playoffs, and so they will be desperate when they
face a hot Auckland side at the ASB Stadium in Kohimaramara tonight.
Rhymer, 2.08m, is from St Thomas in the Virgin Islands and has trialled at NBA summer camps for three teams as well as playing professionally in China, where he averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds.
It is rebounding the Pistons are looking for.
"We have a talented team but you can't score when you don't have the ball," Davey said.
The Pistons reviewed the balance of the team after several close losses, the last two in overtime. The second of those featured two periods of overtime, when they finished 84-84 then 92-92 against Wellington before succumbing 106-103.
"We hope to turn these close losses to wins and when we looked at the balance of the team the imports were the only area where we could make change," Davey said.
He denied they were unhappy with Dann's workload.
The Auckland Stars are healthy and confident after three tough wins on the road, and sitting pretty at the top of the table with a run of home games to come.
Coach Kenny Stone agreed rebounding might decide the game tonight.
"They will be playing with desperation. For us, I'm looking for more consistency at both ends of the court but it is defence that will win you games and that's what wins playoffs and championships."
Neither side has injury worries.
The Pistons' hopes lay with Rhymer if he can score after landing in the country on Monday and clearing NBL registration yesterday, and with big Ben Hill, son of Stan.
If the Stars shut them down, they will get home.
