Basketball: Uneven start to NBL season

By PETER JESSUP

The basketball season starts this weekend with most teams disrupted by the late arrival of imports and the ongoing Australian playoffs.

The Auckland Stars had their import Casey Frank here but have had only three trainings together ahead of their Battle of the Bridge with North Harbour tonight because their four Breakers players were available only this week.

Harbour start without Axel Dench who is completing the Aussie finals with Wollongong.

They are planning to bring back American Pernell Perry who, after previous seasons in the NBL, has spent time in England and Korea.

Perry was expected to fly into Auckland late yesterday and to sign a contract but won't start at the ASB Stadium tonight, leaving Harbour's front line short on scoring power.

In the guard line, former Tall Black Judd Flavell was keen to assert himself over Breakers' up-and-comer Lindsay Tait.

In Hamilton, Breakers Pero Cameron and Mike Chappell were expected to turn out for the Titans and Phill Jones for the visiting Nelson Giants, who back up after beating Taranaki last night. Ed Book has been handed the captaincy of the Giants after Flavell's departure.

Wellington have signed 2001 Boomers centre Derek Moore because they face a torrid start and as many as 10 games without centre Ben Knight as he makes his way through the Aussie playoffs. Moore became available after the Adelaide 36ers exited the finals series.

The Otago Nuggets have grabbed two Aussies, although that did not stop them going down to Hawkes Bay last night. Michael Kingma (2.07m) from the Hunter Pirates and 2.05m Andrew Latimer from the Perth Wildcats give the Otago squad considerable lift.

The Hawkes this week signed American Morgan Bell, a 2.08m 115kg forward from Elon University. With Adrian Majstorvich qualifying as a Kiwi via his parentage, Gary Boodnikoof as their one allowed Aussie import, and Breakers' guards Paul Henare and Paora Winitana on board, they are a significant title chance.

They were to back up tonight against the Rams, who moved quickly to find another import after Clifton Bush gained New Zealand citizenship this week.

Kenny Walker, 24, from Alabama University, was to join them this weekend.

Taranaki, who have no imports and thus have had the least disruption to their pre-season, have an opportunity to steal a march with two home games, backing up against the Manawatu Jets tonight. The Jets have signed Luke Martin from the Sydney Kings but he'll arrive late. Main player David Cooper was to start on time after Cairns' exit.