Basketball: Breakers ready to rumble

Paul Henare

Paul Henare has put last month's world championship disappointment behind him as he eyes the start of the New Zealand Breakers pre-season programme.

The Tall Black guard, who returned last week from a stuttering campaign in Japan, says he and teammates Aaron Olson and Mika Vukona can't wait for the start of the NBL season, and hadn't allowed themselves to be jaded by a world championship hangover.

"We're not feeling flat, in fact it's been just the opposite, and I think I can talk on behalf of Aaron and Mika as well," Henare said yesterday.

"We were all really eager to get straight back into it once we returned, and there's a genuine feeling of anticipation now that we have."

The Breakers fly to Coffs Harbour tomorrow in preparation for a showdown against the Townsville Crocs on Thursday, after which they will throw themselves into the official pre-season tournament on Friday and Saturday.

Their first game of the regular season is against Hobart's South Dragons at the North Shore Events Centre on September 26.

"We've got a pretty good run in to this year's regular season," Henare said. "The way I see it, the preparations could hardly be better. We get to play in Townsville on Thursday before the start of the official pre-season tournament, The Blitz, and then we get to come home for about 10 days before hosting Hobart.

"That's almost ideal, I reckon. It not only gives us the chance to put a few things together on the court, it also allows us time to head home and work on whatever priorities we've identified before the opening game."

Henare was flying back to New Zealand when the Breakers staged their official season launch last week, but said he was thrilled with the quality of this season's roster and looked forward to seeing what they could do on the court.

The Breakers have bolstered their squad with star forward and former Hunter Pirate Brian Wethers (ex-California), hard-working forward Carlos Powell (ex-South Carolina), former Adelaide 36er Oscar Forman, and experienced Australian guard Adam Darragh.

"I've seen enough of Brian [Wethers] to know what he's capable of, and his value is already well documented; the numbers speak for themselves, really. It's exciting to have him on board," said Henare.

"As far as Carlos [Powell] is concerned, it's true he's not the tallest of power-forwards, but what he might lack in height he makes up for in quickness, and that's where he's got the potential to cause some problems for his markers."

The Breakers skipper believed this season's bench would be stronger, with Forman possibly slotting into the No 6 position and Darragh providing sound cover for the back-court.

"At this stage it just looks a better all-round side and hopefully that will translate into results when we get cracking.

"I know it's early days but we've already had the experience of three seasons behind us at this level, and I think we're all thinking it's time for this team to make their first play-offs.

"We'd like to win the whole thing, obviously, but getting to the play-offs is the first step and that's what our goal will be."