Steve Deane: NZ-Aussie history in the making

Gary Wilkinson of the Breakers celebrates following game one of the NBL Grand Final series. Photo / Getty Images

The Breakers will win the Australian Basketball League Championship, that much is obvious.

All the talk about the Cairns Taipans not being the preferred opponent for the grand final series, was just talk.

The Taipans are like the Washington Generals to the Breakers' Harlem Globetrotters.

The North Queenslanders have got some decent players who can do some pretty flashy things, but the Breakers are bristling with weapons.

The Taipans were no match for the Breakers in the regular season, no match last season and they are no match for them now.

Home court advantage in game two may change that, but there is no way on God's mainly blue Earth the Taipans are taking two in a row off the Breakers.

History is there for the taking. It is just a matter of when it is plucked.

Thanks to Kirk Penney's genius the Breakers have been described as a one-player team, but last night they defied that tag.

By halftime they had built a 14-point lead without a single player reaching double digits.

Indeed it was their depth that provided much of their superiority, with seven players contributing on the scoreboard.

Two minutes before the break the Taipans had just three scorers.

Putting in perspective the Breakers' strength in depth, regular scorers Corey Webster and BJ Anthony didn't even get on the court in the half. In any other team in the league they would be go-to men.

The Breakers are only now discovering how good they can be. Some at the club were mystified by the criticism the team copped as they clocked up tradesmanlike but often uninspiring regular-season wins.

The criticism was a reflection of the frustration many felt at watching a team that had the potential to play so much better.

Last night, and indeed in the two victories over Perth, they proved the frustration was warranted.

Come Sunday afternoon they have the chance to prove themselves once and for all.

While it might be nice to see them claim the title on their home court in a third game, the Breakers will be motivated to put the matter to bed on Australian pine.

Beating Australians in their own competition on their own turf - what could be better?