Balanced Breakers back in the hunt

The New Zealand Breakers endured clear growing pains in the opening half of NBL26, but they’re now firing on all cylinders as they surge into the top six with a third straight win.

The Breakers retained Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Sam Mennenga as their core coming into the season, while Karim Lopez was just 17 years of age and imports Izaiah Brockington and Rob Baker II were new to the league.

They lost their first four games and seven of their opening nine, including giving up sizeable leads against the Brisbane Bullets and South East Melbourne Phoenix, but there were enough encouraging signs.

Those signs have now translated into results. Saturday’s 99–86 home win over the Tasmania JackJumpers makes it three straight victories and pushes the Breakers into sixth position with a 7–10 record, replacing the JackJumpers.

"I think we are also getting better mentally and basketball is a game of runs, and we make our runs and then they respond, but also against Sydney we were able to win those tight games ... also against Cairns," coach Petteri Koponen said.

"That gives us the confidence and today we always responded, and we are not playing tennis, it's a basketball game and we need all the guys not only our starters who have been really good for a long time."

Koponen was  pleased with how contributions are spreading throughout the roster.

"Also I think Tai (Webster) did a great job in his first game with those minutes he was in and there are many things new to him, but also Rob Loe played defence, Carlin (Davison) played defence, Reuben (Te Rangi) did a job and so did Sean (Bairstow)."

"That's the thing, it's not always about scoring, but everybody has their role and has to do their job, and we've then got weapons and the players are now finding their rhythm.

"Someone like Brock (Brockington) is coming from the G League and now the game is getting a bit slower to him and easier now that he's seen more of some of the coverages, and Baker is shooting the ball well to give us that weapon.

"Then Sam and Parker are doing a great job, and what Karim does as an 18-year-old is amazing."

Jackson-Cartwright continues to establish himself as one of the league’s best players, whether playmaking or scoring. Mennenga is making a leap as an elite big, and Lopez is cementing himself as a future NBA-calibre talent.

Import pair Brockington and Baker II are also finding their groove in the NBL, adding valuable depth and turning New Zealand into a tough team to stop.

Jackson-Cartwright delivered another standout performance with 16 points and 12 assists, but what impressed him most was the team synergy.

"I'm super proud of this group and we've taken major strides from the beginning, and it just feels like we're clicking on cylinders right now," Jackson-Cartwright said.

"I think we're feeding off each other really well and we had five guys in double figures, and that's just from sharing the ball, we're playing defence and getting out into transition which are the things we do really well."