There was a time when many wondered how the Breakers would cope without Kirk Penney.

Dean Vickerman has barely been in the job 48 hours but the new Breakers' coach is already casting an eye to future.

The party has continued on home soil for the New Zealand Breakers after their historic three-peat championship win.

The patrons lingering in the lobby of a Perth hotel didn't know what hit them when the NZ Breakers arrived to celebrate a "special moment for NZ basketball."

The NZ Breakers have won a sensational, tight final 70-66 to claim a record third win in the Australian NBL. Kris Shannon of APNZ was in Perth to capture the atmosphere.

The NZ Breakers have won a sensational, tight final 70-66 to claim a record third win in the Australian NBL. Kris Shannon of APNZ was in Perth to capture the atmosphere.

In a talented Breakers backcourt boasting multiple rings and even NBA experience, a junior partner has quietly established himself as an integral part of the title defence.

One-time NBL crowd-kings Townsville are looking for new owners after crippling financial losses forced the club's backers to hand back their licence yesterday.

The recipe for any championship team usually requires a few hardened veterans, mixed in with some homegrown youth and capped by a couple of influential recruits.

Just one night of work separates the Breakers from their dynasty dream after the defending champions opened their grand final series against Perth in dominating style.

Watch a replay of our live updates from the Breakers NBL playoff final against the Perth Wildcats and the Warriors NRL clash with the Rabbitohs.

What started in a Christchurch carpark in 2004 has developed into the biggest rivalry in Australasian basketball.

With the formality of the regular season followed by a semifinal series sweep, all that separates the Breakers from further history is their great rivals, Perth.