Happier Loe Reflects on Rough Past

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

New Zealand Breakers’ veteran Rob Loe has spoken on the tough times he had to deal with over the last two years of living out of a suitcase with the team.

The Breakers relocated out of New Zealand during the past two seasons due to COVID restrictions, which saw the players live out of hotels and finish near the bottom of the ladder.

The 31-year-old centre expressed that point in his basketball career was one of his lowest, which led to him leave the team for a period of time during the 2020/21 season, to re-join his wife and newborn baby.

Loe said being away from home was hard off the court, as well as on it.

“It was just a tough grind, personally and on the court,” Loe said via Stuff.

“Having my son right at the start, it definitely provided a lot of highlights off the court, but, as it showed the first year, I wasn’t around and didn’t get to experience those highlights in person. That’s something that really haunts me to this day.

“Eventually I went home because of that. It was very tough. Basketball is a team sport, and I get what that means.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">No one is enjoying this New Zealand club's run to the NBL's grand final more than big Rob Loe who's having himself a ball. <a href="https://t.co/SgOgwwBHAJ">https://t.co/SgOgwwBHAJ</a></p>— Stuff Sport (@NZStuffSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZStuffSport/status/1629513975368146946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

With an abnormal two seasons for the Breakers, they’ve gone from finishing last on the ladder to being one of the top teams this year. They advanced to the Championship Series this season for the first time since 2016.

Loe said being back to regular scheduling has brought a different perspective from last season, with Loe praising coach Mody Maor for building a successful team.

“It’s also really enjoyable being home this year, having a support system in place, my wife gets to go back to work, and all these little things that add up,” Loe said.

”I’m really happy. When Mody was building this team he talked to me about playing like myself again, and being myself, and contributing any way I can. We have great players and great people, and we build each other up ... we’re our own biggest fans.”

Game 1 of the Championship Series between the Breakers and the Sydney Kings tips-off on Friday night at Qudos Bank Arena.

The game starts at 7:30pm AEDT, live and free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, 10 Peach, 10 Play, Sky Sport in NZ and free to air on Prime in NZ.