KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand Breakers want to sign off with a statement on Sunday to ease the frustration of yet another premature end to an Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) campaign.
"We've got nothing to lose," coach Andrej Lemanis said today.
"If we just go out and play hard and together, we have an opportunity to finish with a bit of a statement."
The Auckland-based club's final match is away to third-placed Perth, who have their own motivation of trying to end a three-match losing streak ahead of the playoffs.
Whatever happens against the Wildcats, the bottom line is that the Breakers, now completing their fourth year, have again failed to make the post-season.
Contrast that with the fortunes of league newcomers the South Dragons and Singapore, who have both qualified for the playoffs at their first attempt.
"Obviously the playoffs were our goal going into the year, there's a certain disappointment and frustration that goes with not attaining that goal," Lemanis said.
"That's the first thing when we assess the season. Having said that, there are also signs that the club is continuing to improve."
Lemanis pointed to the Breakers' win-loss record of 11-21 with one match to go, compared with the 9-23 in his first season in charge.
The home record of 9-7 was also up on last year's 6-10.
In terms of team performance, Lemanis was happy with the way the offence had developed, but concerns remained at the defensive end, where the Breakers blew hot and cold.
He listed overall consistency and the ability to deliver on the road as other areas needing improvement.
The Breakers were still in playoff contention midway through the season, but a run of 10 successive defeats in December and early January effectively killed off their hopes.
The sequence began on a big road trip taking in Perth, Singapore and two matches in Melbourne.
A home fixture followed four days later, before the Breakers headed back to Australia and four more stopovers.
Lemanis said scheduling was an issue the club would need to continue to work on with the ANBL.
"We need to travel, but we learnt again this year that to do all these teams in one hit is probably not the best way to do it," he said.
"Also, if we accept a long road trip, we need to be a little more adamant that, when we come home, we have to have a bigger rest period."
While the ANBL's free agent list features 11 Breakers, Lemanis hoped to be able to keep most of his present playing staff to provide a foundation for next year.
"Inevitably, there will be changes -- every team has changes each season," Lemanis said.
"But as we sit here right now, my intention is to try to retain the majority of the squad."
The free agents include skipper Paul Henare, Ben Pepper, Tim Behrendorff and American import Carlos Powell, who have all played every match this season.
Powell, the club's star turn of the campaign and the league's leading scorer with an average of 28.3 points a game, is one player who will not be back.
After an impressive debut season in the ANBL, the 24-year-old Californian wants to pursue his ambition of making it into the National Basketball Association back home.
"Obviously we would love to have him back, but the financial reality suggests that's not going to happen," Lemanis said.
"Hopefully, whoever we get in place of Carlos will be able to bring just as much excitement to the fans and quality play for the team."
Powell was brought in as replacement for compatriot Rich Melzer, who himself left to take up an NBA contract with the San Antonio Spurs.
- NZPA
