NZ Breakers pre season

Each time September rolls around it brings about the beginning of the NZ Breakers pre season, and for the 2nd year running we have been lucky enough to host a game in Christchurch on Tuesday night against the Melbourne Tigers.

It is a chance for the Breakers to have there first team hit out prior to the new season where they will be aiming to pull off the seemingly impossible... a 4 peat (4 consecutive championship titles). If any team can pull this feat off it is our breakers boys.

The off season saw Breakers guard Cedric Jackson move off shore to play in Europe after a failed attempt at cracking into the NBA. One of the Breakers most reliable and at times freakishly skilled will be a huge loss to the organisation but one that many saw coming. After 2 fantastic seasons with the club it was highly unlikely that we were going to hang onto Jackson. 

However this has opened the door for Kerron Johnson, a young 22 year old guard from USA who has just completed a stint with Belmont University. From a far the resemblance to Jackson is uncanny but lets not forget, he is not trying to be the next Cedric Jackson, hopefully the media and fans will allow him time to be his own player and work hard at the club.

Johnson had a strong hit out with 18 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal. At times it did seem from our seats in the crowd that things were of course a tad disjoined in the Breakers offense, but it did almost seem that Johnson was being a bit of an individualist. A game plan that the Breakers are not familiar with. This will take time being such a young guy and I have no doubt of his potential with the club.

The Breakers 2nd import, Darnell Lazare who has moved to the club from the Sydney Kings had a mixed first hit out for the club. His defense and rebounding was a real strength and more time with the team will help him settle into the routines.

Daryl Corletto seems to get better as each season passes, 17 points including four 3-pointers and 100% from the free throw line, showed his experience and maturity throughout the game. 

My man of the match would be Mika Vukona, continually leading from the front, body on the line and not afraid to take a chance with the ball. An impressive 12 points and a whopping 12 rebounds showed once again the class and consistency of Vukona.

One point of concern for Dean Vickerman and his assistant, ex Breaker's legend Paul Henare would be the low number of offensive rebounds. Without tall timber Alex Pledger who was nursing an ankle concern, the Melbourne Tigers pounced on each missed shot and were ruthless at the other end of the court, which eventually lead to the Tigers taking out the game 73-70.

As always the off court entertainment was fantastic and a great atmosphere complimented the closeness of the action on court. 

I must admit each time I hear "Can you feel it" I instantly think of the Breakers.

As always its another competition I am counting down until it commences for our Breakers on the 10th of October at home against the Wollongong Hawks.

Bring it on.