Basketball: Expectations worry coach

SYDNEY - New Zealand basketball fans would be wrong to expect forward Sean Marks to be a Tall Blacks saviour, says coach Keith Mair.

Marks is New Zealand's most accomplished player, having become the country's first player drafted into the United States' NBA, and possessing much-needed athleticism under the basket to counter taller international rivals.

Mair was concerned that New Zealanders might have high expectations of the 25-year-old, viewing him as a "go-to" player to provide match-winning plays.

"I hope he's not seen as that because he's not capable of being that," said Mair.

"At this level there's not one member of our team that can be called a go-to guy. They have to work together or they've going to make a real mess of things, it's as simple as that."

Mair has always promoted a team ethos and said nobody was nearly good enough to single-handedly take on the likes of pool opponents the United States or Italy.

"If any of the players think they're bigger than the team then we'll be in deep trouble. These other teams are simply too big and too good.

"Sean is still a small fish on the world basketball scene and he still has a lot to prove as a player internationally.

" I think you'll find he'll just fit in and do the team things."

Marks agreed with Mair, saying he was concentrating on readjusting again to the Tall Blacks' style.

He played for New Zealand at the four-nation tournament in Sydney three months ago but has since been unavailable while playing in a summer league for the Los Angeles Clippers, hoping to impress NBA scouts.

Playing at the Olympic Games had been a life-long goal.

"It's sinking in more and more every day that we're here," Marks said.

"But I don't think it will fully sink in until the opening ceremony and we walk out in front of those 100,000 people.

"It's just a buzz. It's an unbelievable opportunity and something you'll always cherish for the rest of your life."

- NZPA