2015 NZ NBL Preview
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James Blond Supercity Rangers
Coach: Jeff Green
2014 Placing: 8th (7 wins and 11 losses)
Gains: Casey Frank (Waikato), Hayden Allen (Out of Retirement), Nick Barrow (Waikato), Josh Bloxham (Nelson), Chris Duthie (Nelson), Inga Solofuti (Rams), Tom Garlepp* (Sydney), Reuben Te Rangi (Southland), Matthew Lacey (Waikato)
Losses: Darryl Corletto (Melbourne), Duane Bailey (Southland), Houston O’Riley, Patrich Bolstad
Returning: Dillon Boucher, Tai Wynyard.
Four time NBL title winner Jeff Green returns to the NBL, last coaching the Waikato Titans in 2003. Green has always been able to attract talent and this season the Rangers are an early season title contender with notable additions of Casey Frank, Reuben Te Rangi and Hayden Allen. Last year’s scoring champion and All Star Five selection Jason Cadee returns and brings with him fellow Australian and Sydney Kings team mate Tom Garlepp who will join Casey Frank in the starting front court. Dillon Boucher, at 39, will play his 22nd NBL season having already amassed 352 career games. Boucher won a title with Green in the 2002 Waikato team.
Augusta Airs
Coach: Darryn Shaw
2014 Placing: 9th (5 wins and 13 losses)
Gains: Xavier Shaw (Returns from US college), Chris Hagan* (US), Aaron Fuller (US), Dyson King-Hawea (Waikato), Ashton McQueen (Tauranga), Jackson Stubbins (Hutt Valley)
Losses: Suleiman Braimoh* (Hawks), Adrian Oliver (USA)
Returning: Aaron Bailey-Nowell, Brad Anderson, Derek Albertsen, Dane Brooks, Todd Fisher, Beauden Giddy
Taranaki have kept the core of their young talent from last year, but have added Tall Black trialist Dyson King-Hawea, who had a strong season for Waikato last year. Their biggest loss is 2015 most outstanding forward Suleiman Braimoh who has joined the Hawks. Replacing Braimoh is former USC Trojan Aaron Fuller. The 6-6 forward averaged double digits in his second to last season of college. Former Jets point guard Chris Hagan returns to the NBL and will give much needed scoring to the Airs roster. Experi-enced captain Aaron Bailey-Nowell plays his 14th season. NZ Breakers squad member Brad Anderson will start in the back court alongside Hagan, forming a solid scoring duo.
IMS Payroll Hawks
Coach: Liam Flynn
2014 Placing: Runners Up (15 wins and three losses)
Gains: Suleiman Braimoh (Taranaki), Zack Atkinson (USA), Alonzo Burton (Manawatu), Morgan Natanahira (Southland)
Losses: Everard Bartlett (Australia), Dustin Scott (USA), Kareem Johnson (Saints)
Returning: Paora Winitana, Jarrod Kenny, Marco Alexander, Anamata Haku, Darryl Jones
After winning the regular season and a franchise record 15 wins, the Hawks suffered a major blow losing NZ coaching great Tab Baldwin. The Hawks have replaced Baldwin with former Nelson Giant coach Liam Flynn, who took them to the finals in 2013 and the semis last year. Hawks will also be without their leading scorer Everard Bartlett (16.9 ppg), but have signed last year’s most outstanding forward Suleiman Braimoh and will form an American frontcourt with former Piston Zack Atkinson, who led the league in rebounding in 2013 with nearly 15 per contest.
Breakers Manawatu Jets
Coach: Darron Larsen
2014 Placing: 5th (9 wins and 9 losses)
Gains: Jordan Ngatai (Wellington), Brook Ruscoe (Nelson), Dion Harris (USA), Sid Adams (Taranaki)
Losses: Troy McLean, Arthur Trousdell, Matt Te Huna, Kaine Hokianga, Alonzo Burton (Bay Hawks) Returning: Nick Horvath, Jeremiah Trueman, Brandon Jenkins
Manawatu finished with a flurry last season and if they had former MVP Nick Hovath for the earlier portion, would probably have crept into the playoffs. This season they have lost key veterans in Troy McLean and Arthur Trousdell, but have gained in youth with forward Jordan Ngatai and shooting guard Brook Ruscoe. Former point Louisville point guard Brandon Jenkins returns and will join new import Dion Harris, who played for the Michigan Wolverines. If they can keep Horvath healthy then the Jets will be competitive.
Wellington Saints
Coach: Pero Cameron
2014 Placing: Champions (12 wins and six losses)
Gains: Leon Henry (Southland), Brendon Polyblank (Otago), Torrey Craig (USA), Kareem Johnson (Hawks)
Losses: Corey Webster (Serbia), BJ Anthony (Waitakere), Jordan Ngatai (Manawatu), Brandon Bowman (USA), Bryan Davis (USA)
Returning: Lindsay Tait, Dion Prewster, Damien Ekenasio, Jordan Mills, Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa
Eight-time defending champion Saints will have a different look with last year’s MVP Corey Webster now playing in Serbia. Wellington also lost power forward BJ Anthony, which means the only surviving starter is Lindsay Tait. After a season with Waikato, Pero Cameron returns to Wellington where he led the team to two titles. Also returning to Wellington is small forward Leon Henry, who after being suspended for most of the 2014 season, has just played a season in the NBL for the Townsville Crocodiles.
Mike Pero Nelson Giants
Coach: Tim Fanning
2014 Placing: Third (11 wins and seven losses)
Gains: Josh Duinker (Sydney Kings), McKenzie Moore (USA), Deronn Scott (USA), Adam Rainbird (US College), Alistair Granger (US College)
Losses: Brook Ruscoe (Jets), Josh Bloxham (Rangers), Josh Pace (USA), Jamal Boykin (USA) Returning: Phill Jones, Mika Vukona, Bronson Beri, Finn Delany, Justin Wehner
The Nelson Giants will have a new coach and two new imports, but retain Nelson stalwarts Phill Jones and Mika Vukona. Jones is coming out of retirement and will give assistance to rookie coach Tim Fanning. Nelson have also acquired forward Josh Duinker from the Sydney Kings. Duinker holds a NZ passport from his mother’s side. Nelson will have a new backcourt, imports McKenzie Moore and Deronn Scott. Both players are large guards, which could cause match up issues with opposition teams.
Canterbury Rams
Coach: Mark Dickel
2014 Placing: Ninth (6 wins and 12 losses)
Gains: Marques Whippy (Nuggets), Mickell Gladness (USA), Kyle Coston (USA), Sam Timmins (Nuggets), Tony Tolovae (Nuggets)
Losses: Marcel Jones, Glen Dandridge (USA), Matt Rogers (USA)
Returning: Jeremy Kench, Richie Edwards, Ethan Rusbatch, Marty Davison, Shou Nisbet Otago
Nuggets coach Mark Dickel has moved north to the Rams, who have retained their core locals from last year, but have added promising forward Marques Whippy who only played one game last season for the Nuggets before a season ending ruptured Achilles. Whippy grabbed 17 rebounds in a win over the then defending champion Sharks, giving them a tough frontline with Townville Crocodiles import Mickell Gladness covering the centre position. Gladness has played in the NBA, most notably with the Golden State Warriors, making him the highest profile import in the competition. At 7-0 with a 7-8 wingspan, Gladness should lead the league in blocks and dunks.
Zerofees Southland Sharks
Coach: Paul Henare
2014 Placing: Fourth (10 wins and eight losses)
Gains: Duane Bailey (Rangers), Todd Blanchfield (Australia), Adrian Majstrovich (Australia)
Losses: Reuben Te Rangi (Rangers), Leon Henry (Saints), Luke Martin (Australia)
Returning: Kevin Braswell, Tai Wesley, Shea Ili, James Paringatai, Sam Everitt, Mitchell Newton
Last season was a trying one for the 2013 Champion Sharks, with suspensions to three of their core players. But they managed to make the semi finals, and the pick up of forward Tai Wesley was a revelation, as he will be coming off a successful year with the Breakers. Veteran point guard Luke Martin will not return, meaning young Breakers guard Shea Ili will be the new starter. Ili is arguably one of the most athletic guards in the competition and a menace on the defensive end. Australian guard/forward Todd Blanchfield should be one of the leading scorers in the competition, the Townsville Crocodiles player showed this in pre-season with 36 points against the Rangers. Former league MVP Adrian Majstrovich will make his return, last playing for the Auckland Stars in 2008. Majstrovich should complement his team nicely, in particular at the stretch four. Duane Bailey has made the move down south after a career season with the Rangers where he averaged 19.4 points and nine rebounds.