Breakers’ “Swag Factor” Drives Title Aspiration

Sixth Man of the Year and New Zealand import Barry Brown Jr has provided an insight into the Breakers’ quiet confidence heading into the Finals.

Brown Jr has made it clear the championship contenders have gotten through this season in the best way possible, not getting into any controversy and quietly going about their business and securing a top two spot.

The strong regular season saw New Zealand finish second on the ladder and earn hosting rights for their Playoff series against the Tasmania JackJumpers, with game one in Auckland on Sunday.

The always entertaining Brown Jr spoke on the Breakers having a ‘swag factor’ this season and showing it in different ways.

“It’s important, but I think everyone shows it differently,” he told Stuff.

“It might not be smiling or talking trash. It might be Cam (Gliddon) hitting one shot and then coming right back and hitting a tough, contested shot, and not saying anything. That’s his swagger.

“Or Will (McDowell-White) making the right pass, right pass, and then a floater. He might not do the things I do, but that’s his swag.

“I think we all bring our own swag, our own personality to the game. And that’s what’s separated us and allowed us to enjoy the game of basketball.

“It’s not the coach’s way or the highway. We’re able to play our game and feel a little more free than where we’ve been in the past.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breakers secure the 2nd SEED and are heading to the Hungry Jacks NBL Finals for the first time since 2018 ??<br><br>Bring on a HOME SEMI FINAL ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNBREAKABLE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNBREAKABLE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ROADTOTHECHAMPIONSHIP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ROADTOTHECHAMPIONSHIP</a> <a href="https://t.co/5HcszBVc5R">pic.twitter.com/5HcszBVc5R</a></p>&mdash; Sky Sport New Zealand Breakers (@NZBreakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers/status/1621833805165383681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The American mentioned he and his fellow imports Jarrell Brantley and Dererk Pardon are the perfect fit for the team and believes they are one of the best import trios in the league.

“We’re able to talk honestly and openly with each other – kind of check each other, and call out each other’s s***. That’s the most important thing,” Brown Jr said.

“You have to be comfortable enough, lose your ego enough, to allow people to talk to you that way.

“We have a good group of guys who allow each other to be checked – to have constructive criticism. We have guys who will accept it and then fix it, instead of guys where it’s just about them.”

The winner of the best-of-three Playoff series will head to the Championship Series. Tip-off between the Breakers and JackJumpers is 4:00pm AEDT on Sunday at Spark Arena, live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, 10 Peach and 10 Play.