Max-imum impact

Monday, October 21, 2024

"In the meeting before we go onto the court I told everybody that when you are open we want you to take those shots."

Four career games for New Zealand, 52 minutes, 5 points. It's fair to say Max Darling wasn't high on the Perth Wildcats' scouting report ahead of Saturday night's game against New Zealand.

He will be next time.

Darling scored 15 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and had 2 blocks in the Breakers' win, shooting at 4/6 from three.

"Max is one of those guys from what I've seen who has been really solid from the beginning of the season," New Zealand coach Petteri Koponen said.

"He tries to do the things we ask him to do and I think finally tonight he showed also what he can do in offence. Before the game I told him personally that when you are on the court you have to look at the basket and be ready to shoot the ball.

"If you watch the Brisbane game, when he was open three times he didn’t even look to the basket. But today, it was as simple as that.

"In the meeting before we go onto the court I told everybody that when you are open we want you to take those shots. Max did that and then not only offensively, he was great defensively tonight for us guarding from one to four being physical, getting rebounds and making big plays."

Darling has been a strong contributor with the Canterbury Rams in the NZNBL for a number of seasons, and now looks to be taking the next step.

"He's still a young guy who is getting better, and he's competing which is the key for any young guys and then anything else is extra. I'm happy for him and he's one of those guys who can have a great career in this league," Koponen added.

Darling wasn't the only player to shine from beyond the arc, with import Matt Mooney lighting it up. He shot at 7/10 from downtown against Perth, for 28 points.

But the 27-year-old was quick to pass the praise back to his teammate.

"Max is the epitome of a great teammate. He's really unselfish, does a lot of the little things and is very even keel," Mooney said.

"He's a guy who for me any time I tell him something he listens, and I just love having a guy like that. It's good to see him have a big night and I think he's just going to keep getting better and better."