Basketball: Intriguing storylines as NBL tips off

Raheim Brown of the Auckland Pirates. Photo / Supplied

There will be compelling storylines at both ends of the country when the National Basketball League (NBL) season starts tomorrow.

Two teams who boast interesting yet vastly different circumstances - new franchise the Auckland Pirates and perennial strugglers the Otago Nuggets - fittingly open the 2011 version of the NBL in Auckland tomorrow.

Auckland, one of the traditional strongholds of New Zealand basketball, return to the fold after a one-year hiatus following the dissolution of the Auckland Stars.

Now known as the Pirates, and under veteran coach Kenny Stone who provides a point of continuity from the old Stars setup, Auckland have formed what appears to be a competitive team with a mixture of experience in the likes of former Tall Black Dillon Boucher, Luke Martin and Everard Bartlett and youth in the likes of Brooke Ruscoe and Brad Anderson.

Former Waikato Pistons import Kevin Smith returns to the league as a naturalised New Zealander as the Aucklanders chase a playoff spot in their debut season, while there will be plenty of intrigue around the Pirates' two imports - Raheim Brown and Kevin Mickens - who are experienced in Europe and South America.

While Auckland were absent last year, Otago would probably have preferred to wipe the season from their memories altogether.

No wins, 18 losses, and the extension of their NBL losing streak to 27 matches, it was difficult to find an adjective dire enough to describe their predicament.

Naturally their progress will be followed closely this season but the signs are promising, if recruitment is anything to go by.

The acquisition of Tall Black Craig Bradshaw, who last played in the NBL in 2003, is a real coup and one of the signings of the competition. He will team up inside with big import Lance Allred, who was the first legally deaf player to play in America's National Basketball Association (NBA), with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Elsewhere, Wellington have retained coach Pero Cameron and much of their championship-winning side from last year, although they have lost Nick Horvath, who will play for Manawatu, and points scoring machine import Eric Devendorf, who is plying his trade in Turkey. Breakers guard Corey Webster teams up with last year's most valuable player Lindsay Tait to give the Saints a high-scoring backcourt.

Should they make the playoffs, the Saints will benefit greatly from the decision this year to hold both semifinals and a one-off final on the same weekend in Wellington, irrespective of where the teams finish on the ladder.

Last year's runners up Waikato have recruited Breaker BJ Anthony, who brings size to go with rebound king Alex Pledger, and should contend again.

Thomas Abercrombie is expected star for the Pistons while import guard Jerry Smith comes highly touted from Louisville University, but they lose the leadership of Tony Ronaldson who also spread the floor with his outside shooting.

Nelson invariably feature in playoff calculations but with the losses of Tony Rampton, who has retired, and Michael Harrison, now playing in Romania, they will need production from imports Darryl Dora and Jermaine Green.

Coach Chris Tupu has good depth at the point position with the experienced Mike Fitchett and New Zealand Breaker Josh Bloxham, while veterans Phill Jones and Mika Vukona return.

Hawke's Bay have improved their roster with the additions of Paora Winitana, Arthur Trousdell and Aidan Daly, while Hawks veteran Paul Henare will take over from Shawn Dennis as coach. Henare will also feature as a player.

Taranaki improved on their winless season in 2009 to register six victories last year and will be looking for further improvements. They have lost Jeremiah Trueman and Tyrone Davey, however, although Link Abrams returns after a two years off because of injury. Lack of depth will be their biggest concern.

Manawatu have been big off-season movers, recruiting eight new players and beefing up their front court with Horvath, Tall Blacks centre Jeremiah Trueman and Mike Homik.

Tall Blacks guard Jeremy Kench joins the backcourt while import Darryl Hudson returns after finishing third in the NBL last year with 23 points per game.

Southland had a fine debut season last year, making the quarterfinals before bowing out at the hands of the Giants. They have signed Tall Blacks great Mark Dickel, who has not played in the league since 2003, and Tall Black Brendon Polyblank, while forward Sylvester Spicer will fill an import spot until former NBA player Kaniel Dickens arrives as the Sharks look to build on last season's efforts.

- NZPA