Basketball: Breakers justify Lemanis getting the job

The Breakers are downplaying Andrej Lemanis' minimal experience as an NBL basketball head coach.

The Townsville assistant coach has been appointed to the Breakers top job for two years, ahead of the likes of Tab Baldwin.

Lemanis has only been in charge of minor league teams, age group sides and the occasional off-season tour with the Crocodiles.

However, Breakers chairman Keith Ward says there is good reason he has been assistant to Ian Stacker at Townsville for seven years.

Ward says Lemanis and Stacker have seen themselves as a team rather than head and assistant coaches.

He sees Lemanis as a perfect fit for the side, while other candidates fell short on a range of parameters.

As for Tab Baldwin missing out, Ward says the fact that Baldwin is currently in Turkey did not work against him.

It appears money has been the issue, with Baldwin saying that discussions with the Breakers broke down reasonably early.

He says what he was looking for in a package and what the Breakers were offering was not very close.

Baldwin says his main focus is on the Tall Blacks 2006 world championship campaign, although he has to look at his future overseas as well.

Basketball New Zealand was keen for the Tall Blacks coach to hold both roles and, although Lemanis secured the job, Ward says the national body still wants a close relationship.

Ward says it is in the sport's best interests to make sure the two teams work closely together.

- NEWSTALK ZB