Is This The Year of the Breakers?

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

The time is now for the New Zealand Breakers to claim their first NBL championship since 2015 after turning the page on a tumultuous last two years.

New Zealand has built a team on the foundations of hard work and grind – and now just one win away from the Championship Series, those same qualities will help the Breakers reach the NBL's summit.

Anything can happen if you put your mind to it, which applies to head coach Mody Maor, who has constructed a team full of talent and restored the strong culture that fuelled New Zealand to four titles from 2011-2015.

New Zealand finished 5-23 and at the bottom of the ladder last year, and prior to that in 2020/21, they finished eighth out of nine teams at the time. Both seasons were ruined by COVID which forced the Breakers to relocate to Australia and live out of several suitcases and hotels.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">?GAME 2 ?<br><br>This Thursday the Breakers take on Tasmania on the road in the 2nd game of the Hungry Jack's NBL Semi Finals ?? <br><br>Everything to play for, watch live on Sky Sport 1 or free to air Prime at 9:30pm NZT <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNBREAKABLE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNBREAKABLE</a> <a href="https://t.co/wjocvluCIU">pic.twitter.com/wjocvluCIU</a></p>— Sky Sport New Zealand Breakers (@NZBreakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers/status/1625257420590288897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In Maor’s first season as head coach for the Breakers, they clinched a top two spot, advancing straight to the Playoff series. After winning Game 1 against the Tasmania JackJumpers, a Championship Series berth is now in sight - an achievement that was almost unrecognisable a year ago.

“We definitely did get it right this year,” Maor said.

“Building a team is important, selecting the people that are going to be around you and with you for this journey is important.”

Maor had a vision for the Breakers to reach 16 wins this season and successfully achieved that goal.

A new dynamic and coaching strategy has seen Maor and his staff scout three new imports who have been nothing but incredibly impactful this season.

Barry Brown Jr, voted Best Sixth Man in NBL23, is ranked first for the Breakers in points per game, averaging 19.1.

Forward Dererk Pardon, selected for the All-NBL Second Team, averages 8 rebounds per game and brings an intimidating interior presence.

Finally, Jarrell Brantley, a leader for New Zealand, is ranked second for minutes played per game and makes a difference all over the court.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHO'S HYPED!! <br><br>PLAYOFFS BASKETBALL BABY ?<br><br>? (LIMITED) : <a href="https://t.co/GiEzkswStV">https://t.co/GiEzkswStV</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNBREAKABLE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNBREAKABLE</a> <a href="https://t.co/2QdeWV6HGm">pic.twitter.com/2QdeWV6HGm</a></p>— Sky Sport New Zealand Breakers (@NZBreakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers/status/1624256918402535429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Let’s not forget about NBL Next Star Rayan Rupert, who attracted around 20 NBA scouts to watch him play in a single game this season. His draft stock continues to skyrocket, and he is projected to be a first round pick.

Every player on the Breakers squad has been scouted on their hunger for a title this year, with Maor acknowledging their hard work and hustle.

“They’re great basketball players, the better you are the easier it is to adjust,” he said.

“Every person fits into a very specific role in what we do.

“We put a lot of time and effort into learning the market, learning who they are as players and people.”

Brantley echoed Maor’s comments and elaborated on the significance of making it to the Playoffs in a tough but rewarding season with the refurbished roster.

The 26-year-old also mentioned it hasn’t been a simple road for the Breakers, as they’ve dealt with a COVID outbreak mid-season, while floods and cyclones in Auckland have forced an adjusted travel schedule over the past few weeks.

“We’ve all been fighting for something, we’ve all got a chip on our shoulder,” Brantley said.

“When you get a bunch of guys who really love what they do and enjoy their job, they’re just whole-hearted people.

“We’ve been doing a lot of fighting, from the first day where we had our first meeting with our team. Everybody remembers that meeting and how special it was for us.

“We’ve been through a lot to get there. A lot of good days, a lot of bad days, and to be in this position now is a super blessing.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is what it means to the <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZBreakers</a> to return to play-off basketball ? <a href="https://t.co/hEyyc6aUm4">pic.twitter.com/hEyyc6aUm4</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1621833191945543680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A key piece to New Zealand, having experienced 15 seasons of highs and lows at the Breakers, is captain and veteran Tom Abercrombie, who expressed excitement to relive a Finals journey once again.

“The result of finishing second is fantastic but the way that we’ve gone about things and the kind of team and culture that we’re starting to build here is where the real satisfaction comes in,” Abercrombie said.

“You give credit to Mody and the staff for putting together a team of like-minded people who are all hungry, and all have a bit of a chip on our shoulders.

“We all have something to prove this year. We’ve been on the same page since day one and what we wanted to achieve and how we wanted to go about it.

“We put in some real hard work in the preseason, it was a grind. It’s not easy to play the way that we play. Once we were able to get through that and see some of the fruits of our labour, we’ve really enjoyed embracing that style.

“We like getting down in the trenches and working hard.

“It’s been awesome to be a part of and it’s been a lot of fun.”

Catch the Breakers on Thursday night in Game 2 against the JackJumpers at 7:30pm AEDT. You can watch the game live and free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies.