Basketball: Mair keen for 14th season in charge

Keith Mair senses that his young Tall Blacks are on the verge of a golden era in New Zealand's basketball history and has no intention of hanging up his coaching clipboard.

There were whispers even before Mair took the Tall Blacks to Sydney last month that the Olympic Games would be his international coaching swansong.

But he confirmed yesterday that he would seek a 14th season at the helm of the national men's team and, given the respect he commands from the game's hierarchy, he is unlikely to be overlooked.

"At this stage there is no intention not to apply," he said.

"There has been no loss of enthusiasm after going to Sydney."

The Tall Blacks might have beaten only Angola to finish 11th out of 12 teams in Sydney, but their gritty efforts against the gold medal-winning United States and fellow world heavyweights Lithuania and Italy exceeded Mair's expectations.

With Wellington captain Peter Pokai and Nelson veterans Nenad Vucinic and Ralph Lattimore expected to be the only international retirements, the future looks bright for Mair's men.

"The other nine players are all aged between 19 and 26, and the 26-year-olds should be looking at another 10 years [on the international scene] at least," Mair said.

"When you add a few of the young players coming through the system and a guy like [Wellington's] Terrence Lewis, who adds shooting firepower and experience to the mix, the next decade looks very encouraging."

Mair only has to log on to the worldwide web to get excited about next season's big assignment, the Oceania world championship qualifiers against Australia.

The Boomers have not only lost inspirational captain Andrew Gaze, New York Knicks centre Luc Longley and forward Andrew Vhlaov to retirement, but are also embroiled in a very public player versus coach spat.

Former Chicago Bulls centre Chris Anstey and Adelaide guard Brett Maher have said they will not play for Australia again as long as incumbent coach Barry Barnes is in charge.

Neither agree with Barnes' coaching style, despite Australia achieving a creditable fourth placing at the Olympics.

Although Mair will not say it in so many words, the volatile Australian situation gives his Tall Blacks their best chance of a first series victory over the Boomers, especially given Basketball Australia's decision to forfeit home-court advantage to New Zealand for the Oceania tests.

- NZPA