Former Tall Black Mark Dickel defends Basketball New Zealand over Steven Adams' funding criticism

Former Tall Black Mark Dickel has defended Basketball New Zealand in the wake of a national backlash fuelled by criticism from Steven Adams.

In his autobiography Steven Adams: My Life, My Fight, Adams confirmed that he had snubbed New Zealand's national basketball team because of a grudge against Basketball NZ for not being able to financially support him at a young age.

"I couldn't afford it. To represent New Zealand as a young athlete costs a lot of money, not just in basketball but in all sports," the Oklahoma City Thunder star said.

"Some might expect me to be the Basketball New Zealand poster child, but I did the opposite of rising through the ranks of the junior national teams. Being in a national team is far too expensive for most kids – me included."

Mark Dickel said many sports have the same issues as Basketball New Zealand. Photo / Getty

Tall Black Corey Webster joined the debate last week when he posted to social media agreeing that Basketball NZ hadn't done enough to help fund young players in the sport.

But although Dickel respected Adams and Webster's opinions, the Canterbury Rams head coach said Basketball NZ wasn't solely to blame and urged critics to take a broader perspective.

"If Steve never plays for New Zealand he has still done more for New Zealand basketball than anyone else, and Corey has represented New Zealand around the world and deserves unbelievable credit because he has shown all Kiwi kids that you can do that," Dickel told the Star-Times.

Corey Webster in action for the Tall Blacks. Photo / Photosport

"But other sports have the same issues and they all want the same funding we need. I don't have answers, but I do know it's across the board and everybody is in the same boat."

"It's not a basketball issue, and the sooner we get away from acting like it is maybe we could fix it."

"Look at every sport that's not rugby – it's a hit every time you go away [as a junior]. It just so happens now we have a great, great player who came through a system ... so now people care as to why he wasn't playing."

"I want to help basketball in New Zealand, and I just don't know how it helps by piling on Basketball NZ when they're trying their best given the resources they're given. You can't just manufacture money."

Steven Adams said he couldn't afford to represent New Zealand growing up. Photo / Getty