Basketball: Baldwin looking for a break while reshuffle puts Champman on edge

It's just the one job the Breakers are trying to fill but there are several careers hanging on the outcome.

Firstly there is Tab Baldwin, the current Tall Blacks coach who faces an uncertain future if the Breakers pass him over.

Baldwin has resigned from the high performance element of his job with Basketball New Zealand. That was where he earned the bulk of his remuneration and it is understood the salary he is paid to take charge of the Tall Blacks will need heavy supplementing.

The Breakers head coaching job would be the perfect fit with his national commitments and provide him with a realistic income. If he misses out he'll be hoping to pick up more short term, well paid coaching gigs that dovetail with the Tall Blacks programme. His current club, Banvitspor in Turkey, would be keen to have him back and offers from other European and Australian clubs have been rebuffed in the past.

The danger is that he may not be able to find a coaching position that allows him to also fulfil his national team obligations.

It's a scenario that BBNZ chief executive David Crocker has accepted could become reality but he is confident that Baldwin's desire to remain in charge of the Tall Blacks will lead to a solution.

"Tab is committed to the programme and he still has a strong desire to be Tall Blacks coach. We have seen with the women's national team that it is possible for coaches to manage their seasons," Crocker said.

It's probably not Baldwin who is most worried. Of the 17 applicants, he surely ranks as favourite. His CV boasts both international and NBL experience, has good knowledge of New Zealand's best players and has the profile and charisma to rejuvenate public interest.

Breakers owners even contacted Baldwin shortly before he left for Turkey to make him aware they'd be releasing Frank Arsego and looking for a replacement.

Chairman Keith Ward explains why: "It was a pure coincidence that he left for Turkey two days before we decided we to go our separate ways with Frank. We thought that it would be courteous to advise him otherwise he could've missed out. He is a good coach and we've acknowledged that and felt it was fair and reasonable."

Ward says all candidates have received a questionnaire posing various coaching dilemmas that will be designed to determine their respective philosophies. Once the results have been correlated, probably early this week, a shortlist of up to five names will be drawn.

Baldwin is certain to make the short-list and is likely to be joined by his Tall Blacks assistant and current Nelson Giants coach Nenad Vucinic. Gordy McLeod, the former West Sydney Razorbacks coach who recently took a job with BBNZ, is also thought to be in the mix. Although an NBA assistant coach has applied, Ward suspects the salary on offer - thought to be about $120,000 - will scare him away.

Ward also knows the new coach might want to install his own people, so the next few weeks may be a nervous wait for current general manager Peter Chapman and assistant coach Wayne Brown.

Chapman vowed to resign if the Breakers failed to make it to the playoffs this season but it was a statement made in the knowledge his gesture would be rejected by the board who have expressed a wish to see him carry on in his role. However, a Baldwin appointment may push Chapman on to his sword.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY