Basketball: US import proves Nuggets no easybeats

Critics calling for Otago's dismissal from the national league should be eating a healthy dose of humble pie this week after their swing through Auckland at the weekend.

The Nuggets began this season in a state of administrative disarray, without a coach and without several of last year's better players, and subsequently lost their two opening games.

In falling just one point short on Friday night against Auckland 89-88 and finally breaking their duck with a 97-85 result over the Harbour Kings 24 hours later, the Nuggets threw off the easybeat label they carried into the doubleheader.

"At the start of the season, they were petitioning for two imports," said downcast Harbour coach Tracy Carpenter. "With another import, they could win this league."

The key to the revival was the arrival of their one allowable import - American guard Ron Grady from Portland, Oregon.

At 1.93m, the former Colorado State University starter proved not only a capable scorer - he returned 25 and 22 points against Auckland and Harbour respectively - but first and foremost, a team player.

"I'm happy with Ron," Otago coach Todd Marshall said. "He looks like a nice player and involves everyone else in the team as well.

"He wasn't jacking up shots and did some good things out there."

But although the visitors thrive on youth, the key to victory over Harbour was probably the inspirational 17-point/10-rebound display of 40-year-old centre Kenny Perkins.

He clearly out-thought and out-played Kings import John Smith in an interior battle that Harbour should never have engaged in.

While Auckland did get the win at the weekend, Harbour did not get the result Harbour they were looking for and now sit in the bottom three of the table.

It is still early days, but Harbour know life is easier with a strong start to the Burger King-sponsored league.

Wellington took on defending champions Waikato at home and came up short, losing 109-99.

The Canterbury Rams compensated for their disappointing loss to Waikato the previous week to become the first team to win both legs of a doubleheader on the road, beating Hawkes Bay 117-96 and following up with a 90-78 victory in Palmerston North.

That moved Canterbury to the head of the table, although they have played one more game than Waikato and Nelson.