Basketball: Injuries limit Baldwin's options

By PETER JESSUP

Anyone who watched coach Tab Baldwin stalk the sidelines during the games against Hungary - wild stare, forthright instructions to players and even louder verbals for referees - would raise an eyebrow at his own assessment of the series.

"It was fun to watch," Baldwin said yesterday, still glowing at the 4-1 series success.

But it was hardly ideal preparation for the European tournament next month, followed by the world championships, as three of the five players who would be first-choice in his run-on five were out or hampered by injury.

The Tall Blacks' biggest man, forward Tony Rampton, looks increasingly likely to miss the trip.

He is taking longer than expected to recover from an operation to repair bone spurs in an ankle, has deep bone bruising and cannot be given a return date.

The lingering problem is starting to trouble Rampton mentally, with concern that he will not be able to foot it with his team-mates.

Sean Marks, who also sat out the Hungary series, will definitely be fit, and captain Pero Cameron, who had minor game time in matches four and five, is recovering well from his calf strain.

Baldwin has to cut three from his squad of 15. With four naturalised Americans among them, and only one allowed to go to Indianapolis for the world championships, that decision is made for him.

If Rampton is out, Ed Book would be nose in front for the job, with age and niggling injury counting against Kenny Stone, 36, and Willie Burton, 40.

If Rampton is in, it could be a toss-up between Book and Canterbury guard Terrence Lewis.

Baldwin said he would reveal his world championships squad on Wednesday after telling the players.

He was happy with the performance from all of them in the series against Hungary, but the makeup of the side could be dictated by injuries, not least Rampton's.

Baldwin said he would not bracket two players, but might name 12 Kiwis, with one told his involvement would depend on the availability of Rampton, a 2.11m forward with the Cairns Taipans.

The "replacement" player would not be identified to the public because Baldwin did not want to place undue pressure on him through the national league finals series.

Baldwin said he was happy with the team's progression through the Hungary series. Statistics underlined a gradual improvement game by game.

"I always rated my ability and the team's ability to adjust," he said. "I always enjoy a series because you get the chance to study your opposition, analyse and break them down."

He will not get that chance at the world championships, with one-off games in round-robin play.

There is no rest for the coach this week. Baldwin is in Australia to watch national youth teams, the women's under-21 tour and the Australian state age-group championships, with the New Zealand under-16s represented.

Packed in his bag are videotapes of New Zealand's next opponents, France and Germany, and their companions in their world championships pool, Russia, Argentina and Venezuela.

He will also meet Australian coach Brian Goorgian with the idea of promoting more frequent contact between the national teams.

"We go at each other as mortal enemies in qualifying [for world championships and Olympic Games] but once that series is done we should be prepared to help each other on the world stage," Baldwin said.

The Hungary series had taught the team to cope without key players and to find ways of overcoming their weakness in areas such as height.

The emergence of Kirk Penney had been a highlight. The 21-year-old University of Wisconsin guard became more relaxed as the series wore on and he learned the team systems.

"He is technically such a good shooter and a skilled player that we just have to get him the ball," Baldwin said.

"As it wore on the players started finding him and he was finding the shots."

"It's taken Kirk a few games to settle down and that's what it's going to be like introducing anyone else - you have to take backward steps in order to go forward."

The enthusiasm and commitment has been first-class. The Tall Blacks played every game bar the loss in Palmerston North with full-on energy, brilliant, hussling defence and a never-say-die attitude.

That one flat performance was undoubtedly affected by the killing of former national representative Duncan Taylor the day before.

Penney topped the scoring averages over the series with 21.

Baldwin is looking forward to taking in the last round of the national league and the semis and finals.

His squad will be settled, with injury the only reason to open the door for anyone else.

The Tall Blacks in the national league will be able to play in the finals without national selection pressure.