Basketball: Audition never ends in the NBA

A first date can be hard work. Think of the nerves, the need to impress and be at your best. Job interviews fall in the same energy-draining, uncertain category. Now imagine being faced with those kind of situations every day.

Kiwi NBA professional Sean Marks admits the past 11 years have sometimes felt like one, never-ending audition. Marks recently signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, his sixth club across 10 years in the NBA. One season, he played a total of just 12 minutes; in another, he got 17 minutes of court time.

Most off-seasons have been spent trying to impress coaches and scouts, matching up against scores of other triallists for a coveted spot on the 12-player roster.

When he gets picked up, the process doesn't stop. If anything, it intensifies. Every training session, Marks strains every sinew, marking up against the marquee men; hoping to catch the eye of the coaches to make them think maybe he deserves a chance this week.

"You have to treat it like an audition," admits Marks, "and sometimes it feels like you are auditioning every day.

"I haven't usually had the luxury of a long-term contract so it is about making your best effort on a daily basis. I'm used to it; you have to let your game do the talking. I've still got the passion and enjoyment for it, though it is getting tougher and tougher to find employment."

It is something that would grind down lesser men. Even in the NBA, there is nothing glamorous about being parked on the pine. But Marks persists, happy to carve his niche in New Zealand sporting history.

He remains the only Kiwi in the NBA. Breakers star Kirk Penney once played four games for the Los Angeles Clippers. Two New Zealanders made the NFL (Riki Ellison and David Dixon). Travis Wilson tried for nine years but couldn't break into Major League Baseball and no one has come close to ice hockey's NHL.

After being released by the New Orleans Hornets at the end of last season, Marks started looking for another 'job'. There are 450 spots in the 30 NBA teams. Around 40 are occupied by the superstars - the likes of Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James - the guys that sell tickets, fill stadiums and anchor teams. Another 150 make up the starting teams; those who feature prominently during the 82-game regular season and the playoffs.

Marks is among the bottom 50 to 100 players; the 'dirt trackers' who rarely get a chance to take off the tracksuit.

"Guys like me could be replaced any day by 1000 people out there," Marks admits. "There are so many good players in the minor leagues; it is so close."

Aside from those plying their trade in the United States, thousands of Americans play professional basketball across the globe. As well, hundreds of foreigners would give their eye teeth for a shot at the big time.

"I guess I provide value for money," reasons Marks. "I'm not a high priced guy - I'm on the minimum wage. I always work hard in the off-season and come into camp in great shape. And I've got experience."

Marks had a pre-season contract with the Washington Wizards but was cut when a hamstring injury meant he couldn't start a practice game.

His agent kept calling teams, trying to get into camps as the season drew closer. A window of opportunity occurred in Portland due to injury and Marks was invited to a tryout.

Five men, two days, one shot at one spot. The quintet, all experienced NBA players, were put through their paces in front of three assistant coaches from the Trail Blazers. There were shooting drills, one-on-ones, running drills and a physical examination. They also were put through a whole range of scenarios that mimicked the different structures of the Portland team.

"We all knew each other but it is very serious," recalls Marks. "You are fighting for a job and there is no quarter given."

Marks was the last man standing and was signed to a non-guaranteed contract. He has played in six games, just 37 minutes on court, but could be released at any time. However, a season-ending injury to centre Greg Oden could mean more court time for Marks.

You can't help but admire his perseverance, dedication and tenacity. While there are obvious financial rewards (a minimum annual salary of US$1 million; $1.28 million), there must have been a temptation to step down a rung to a lesser league. He would get regular game time in the European competitions and be a star in the Asian or Canadian leagues.

Instead the kid from Torbay has chosen to cross swords with the best, where he has to scrap for every second of court time. Over 10 years, he has averaged 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. He has started just 10 matches. Hardly startling numbers but the statistics don't tell the tale. Marks has held court with the kings of the game. Ask him for fond career memories and he pushes 'play'.

He vividly recalls the first points he scored, a jump shot against the Chicago Bulls of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. He loved the crowds and the atmosphere in Toronto in his first few years out of college. At the Miami Heat, he was coached by the legendary Pat Riley and had a locker beside Alonzo Mourning.

There were two years at San Antonio, including a title-winning season in 2004-05, alongside Tim Duncan and Mano Ginobil. A stint at the Phoenix Suns followed where he called the likes of Steve Nash and Shaquille O'Neal team-mates. At New Orleans in 2008-09, he figured in 60 games, notching a career high 18 points against Minnesota.

All up, he has participated in 204 NBA matches, with an average of 10 minutes a game.

"Anything is possible in the USA," reflects Marks. "It is truly the land of opportunity and I have been able to make a living doing something that I love. Often I have been a practice player - I like to say a 'practice dummy' - for the superstars but I have no problem with that. Basketball is a team sport and it takes all 12 players to combine for a winning effort."

His wife Jennifer recently gave birth to their third son, Owen, to go with Aidan and Lucas. Marks reports they are over-average height already but is not sure if they will be basketballers.

"I didn't start to grow until I was 15. Until then, I hadn't thought about basketball."

Now 35, Marks is open about what the next few years may bring. He says he will be in the US for the foreseeable future, especially with Jennifer, who is part-Spanish, having her large family (her mother has 16 grandchildren) on the West Coast. He wants to keep playing, as long as he is "healthy and enjoying it" and Europe is an option. But what are the chances of our most successful 'Shore boy' turning out for the Breakers?

"It has crossed my mind many times," he admits. "I would love to do that some day - who knows if it is possible?"