Basketball: Boucher in dog box

By JULIE ASH

Breakers forward Dillon Boucher faces disciplinary action after it was found he sent a text message to former coach Jeff Green which contained derogatory comments about coach Frank Arsego.

Boucher sent the message to Green, a long-time friend and mentor, after the Breakers' 104-78 loss to the Adelaide 36ers last weekend, their third loss in four games.

It is understood Boucher was critical of the Breakers team and organisation and scathing of Arsego.

Green, who was sacked as the Breakers coach last year, then revealed in a radio interview there was dissent in the ranks and that Arsego was close to being sacked.

Breakers general manager Peter Chapman said Boucher had apologised to the team and coaching staff and would face some "internal action" which could be a fine or even suspension.

Boucher, who represented New Zealand at the Athens Olympics, told Chapman he sent the text out of frustration.

"He told me, 'I was just frustrated I only had six minutes on the court; I was on the team bus, I just fired the text off - I didn't think it was going to go anywhere and I am very surprised that a friend would go to the media with that sort of information'."

Chapman said: "I told Dillon that it was irresponsible and had brought the club into disrepute. But I am extremely disappointed, as is Dillon, that a person would use this to cause this club harm."

This week's incident was not Boucher's first. In January he was suspended for two matches and fined A$1000 ($1086) after being found guilty of hitting Perth Wildcats import Rashad Tucker in a car park confrontation in Christchurch.

Chapman said the incident hadn't dented morale or affected the team's buildup to the weekend's double header against the West Sydney Razorbacks in Auckland.

"For once and for all the support of the coach is known and is 150 per cent from this organisation," Chapman said.

"All players have been put on notice. We understand there will be frustrations during the year but they should be able to control it."

The Razorbacks arrive in Auckland fresh from a thrilling 87-84 win over the Cairns Taipans on Monday.

They are now fifth in the competition with three wins and two losses. They face the Breakers tonight at the North Shore Events Centre and tomorrow night at Waitakere's Trusts Stadium.