Maor Welcoming All Blacks Comparisons

Breakers head coach Mody Maor is enjoying the comparisons that are being made between his side and the New Zealand All Blacks as the Breakers approach their Championship Series against the Sydney Kings.

After their Round 10 loss to New Zealand, Kings coach Chase Buford famously said the physicality of the opposition made his side fell like they were playing the All Blacks – and the burgeoning rivalry between the sides is set to take another step next week.

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Adam Gibson – who won the NBL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 believes Maor is right to take the positives out of the comparison.

“I’d love it if I was the coach,” Gibson said on NBL Today. “That means your team is playing physical, they’re not playing soft, they’re hitting first and they’re not getting hit.

“That’s just how the Breakers play. It’s not dirty – they’re tough, physical guys who like that side of things.

“I hope the game will be officiated in the manner where both teams can be physical. Let the players play, let them play through some contact.

“That’s what we as fans want to watch. Put the whistles away a little bit and let the game go.”

Dererk Pardon looms as a crucial cog in this scintillating Championship Series matchup. In fact, the battle between him and fellow big Jarrell Brantley against Kings duo Tim Soares and Xavier Cooks will likely go a long way to deciding the series.

Gibson says one of the most dangerous parts of Pardon’s game is he’s more than happy to go and get his own ball.

“He’s someone that doesn’t require touches,” Gibson said. “He just goes and gets the ball wherever he is – offensive rebounds, put backs, dunks.

“He rebounded everything [against Tasmania]. If the Kings can lock him away that would be huge for their progress.”

The NBL23 Championship Series begins on Friday, March 3.