New Zealand On “Different Level”

Brisbane Bullets’ coach Greg Vanderjagt declares the New Zealand Breakers are a “different level” team in this league, following their 99-71 loss on Thursday night.

The Bullets had won three straight games heading into the clash but were convincingly beaten by the Breakers, with Vanderjagt believing New Zealand can make some serious noise in the finals.

“It’s definitely a different level, that’s what one of the best teams in the league looks like,” Vanderjagt said.

“It certainly went up a couple of notches tonight.

“It was challenging for us, there’s no doubt about it. There’s not an excuse, everybody’s been down on bodies, they’ve had injuries, the travel, the schedule, everybody’s been through it.

“We’ve got to find ways to get it done even though we’re down a couple of key guys.”

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New Zealand is currently third on the ladder with 15 wins closely tailing behind the Taipans and Kings.

Bullets’ guard Nathan Sobey echoed Vanderjagt’s comments as they found it hard to match the Breakers’ performance on Thursday night.

Sobey produced 13 points, eight assists and five rebounds, without key pieces Jason Cadee, Tanner Krebs, and Harry Froling.

“They’re a very good basketball team, and when they’re playing well like that, they’re very hard to stop,” Sobey said.

“Credit to them they played some really good basketball tonight, and they’ve got a lot of depth in their unit.

“We’ve got to be a lot better on both ends of the floor.”

The ninth placed Bullets are determined to produce better efforts on both ends of the floor to build habits and hopefully come back as an improved side next season.

NBL veteran Cadee missed Thursday night’s game due to displaying concussion symptoms, ending his consecutive games streak at 274.

Sobey highlighted the significance of Cadee missing and how important he is to the group.

“I’ve played here now four seasons and every game he’s been a part of that, so it was a little bit different to not have him run out there with the group,” Sobey said.

“It was a bit weird he’s been running that streak for a long time. It definitely felt different not just in terms of being next to him with him on the court but in the locker room.

“I think he’s struggling with the concussion so we’re hoping that he can recover from that as quick as he can and bounce back.”

The Bullets have two more games this season, with their second round 17 game taking place on Saturday against the Cairns Taipans.