Basketball: Lopsided court battles looming

By PETER JESSUP

The national basketball league has a decidedly top-heavy look to it this season, with Otago struggling to make a team down the bottom and Waikato with too many stars to get on court at the one time.

Waikato's Titans will start without Tall Blacks captain Pero Cameron, who is captaining Chester Jets in England. Coach Jeff Green had considered flying him back from London for the opener.

Cameron is due in six weeks, but they look strong enough without him anyway.

Elsewhere, the shuffling of Americans both restricted and those here long enough to be naturalised is the significant factor.

Kenny Perkins and Leonard King go to Otago, Ed Book to Nelson, Clifton Bush to Manawatu, Terrence Lewis to Canterbury.

Kenny Stone returns from repeat knee injuries at age 36 in a crucial player/coach role at Auckland.

There is added interest this year with Tall Black places up for grabs, trips to China and Europe in the offing before the world championships in Indianapolis in August.

Of other internationals overseas, Mark Dickel at the Victoria Titans is not believed to be returning, nor are Tony Rampton and Kirk Penney.

Sharp-shooting guard Phill Jones arrived back in the country from Europe this week but has been given week one off by coach Nenad Vucinic, who wants him refreshed.

TVNZ will screen seven games live this season, starting with the opener between Waikato and Auckland at 3.30pm today.

Opening round draw:

Today: Waikato Titans v Auckland Blockbusters, Hamilton YMCA; Nelson Giants v Wellington Saints, Nelson; Manawatu Jets v North Harbour Kings, Palmerston North.

Tomorrow: Otago Nuggets v Canterbury Rams, Dunedin.