Basketball: Tall Blacks' campaign in tatters

Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin is scouring the rubble of his side's World basketball Championship campaign for a glimmer of hope after another dismal performance in Japan.

New Zealand was never competitive in going down 95-73 to African champions Angola in Hiroshima.

It is the third straight loss in pool play,and it means any hope of a high tournament placing has gone.

The Tall Blacks must win their next two games just to stay in the competition.

Coach Tab Baldwin admits they had thought the Angola game would be an easier one but they failed to match the speed of the Africans, who also managed to shut down the Tall Blacks' defence.

However, Baldwin says he will not need to give his side a rark up, as they all know what they have to do.

He says if they are not quick enough, or skilled enough, or big enough, they have to make sure they are tough enough from here on in.

The next two games against Japan and Panama are now must-win matches in order to get through to the second round where they would likely face the top team from the other pool, probably Argentina.

Baldwin requires a huge step up given the make-up of the team, and he points out that being a team on the small side with just one point guard at the moment, they need to make up for that with their shooting, which has not been good.

The Tall Blacks have a rest day today, and will play Japan tomorrow.

- NEWSTALK ZB