Basketball: Coach Baldwin sitting on record's shoulder

By PETER JESSUP

Auckland coach Tab Baldwin has the chance today to equal the national basketball league wins record of his Tall Blacks' coaching predecessor, Keith Mair.

Auckland play the Canterbury Rams at home.

Baldwin sits on 140 victories, from a one-year stint with Otago after he arrived from Florida and eight years with the Auckland side, including four championships.

He has coached 197 games and lost 57, for a winning average of just over 71 per cent.

Mair's record over 10 seasons was 213 games, 141 wins, 72 losses, for an average of 66.2 per cent.

A 55 per cent or better average in any pro-sport is considered good; above 65 per cent is exceptional.

The home team and visitors are 12-all on the points table, with this game and three more to come before the playoffs.

Auckland were in a similar position last year, having to win three in a row to make the finals.

They did that and went on to the championship.

League records were the last thing on Baldwin's mind as he prepared for a game he sees as a must-win.

"We have to tag them with a loss here or rely on others to do it for us," he said.

The Rams beat second-placed Wellington 102-74 last weekend, so are clearly in good form.

Import centre John Wharton has been their main man, averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds a game.

The Rams have four others in the 2m range and will enjoy a height advantage.

Auckland's import, Ben Pepper, sprained an ankle against Hawkes Bay and did not train until Thursday.

Forward Daryl Cartwright had a mixed week with a back strain, flu and an eye infection.

He remained doubtful last night.

Auckland's problem this season has been scoring. Baldwin has put the team through extra practice.

This trip could make or break the Rams' season.

Tomorrow, they meet a North Harbour side smarting from the antics of veteran Larry Hubbard, who has walked, but not in honourable fashion.

Hubbard left the Kings after their big win of the season over Hawkes Bay.

He hung around the Waikato side for a while, but was told he was not wanted unless he completed the transfer according to the rules.

As yet he has not applied.

Kings coach Tracey Carpenter said the defection of their only really tall guy could not have come at a worse time, with North Harbour's season effectively over after three losses.

"It leaves us small and vulnerable defensively."

The NZ Basketball League requires a player changing teams mid-season to apply for a transfer in writing, inform his present team and ask for release, and stand down three games.

The Kings will ask for a law change to prevent players switching teams mid-season.

Kings management have met Hubbard, who played for Waikato against Stamford University, but were told to clear the transfer details.

The American said he was not intending to play elsewhere.

League-leaders Waikato host Nelson at the Hamilton YMCA today.

The Giants likewise face a make-or-break double-header away as they meet Wellington tomorrow, but are unlikely to topple the Titans, who are 11 straight wins and heading for Auckland's 1997 record of 13 in a row.