Herbert lauds Breakers' character

A few days of bonding together on the road can do wonders for some teams, and the New Zealand Breakers showed that on Wednesday night.

With their backs against the wall, two imports out and one in foul trouble, the Breakers put in a performance to make coach Gordon Herbert beam with pride in Canberra on Wednesday.

The Breakers, playing a Sydney team fresh off a first loss of the season, were playing their third straight away game, with the likes of Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Josiah-Jordan James and Nelson Weidemann not in the lineup.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the lone remaining import Charles Bediako was relegated to having no impact either because of foul trouble and being out there for just over 12 minutes.

Despite that, the Breakers showed great character to dominate the third quarter and then hold on in a frantic finish for the 102-101 victory to improve to 4-3 on the season, which is a standout result given what they’ve dealt with.

That’s what is standing out above all else for coach Herbert because he can truly only judge a team once they face adversity.

“We’re in the midst of a five-game road trip, so to win in Adelaide and now beat Sydney, I think it shows the character of this group,” Herbert said.

“It’s really important when you face adversity how you handle it, and I think they’ve handled it great. Up to now, we’ll see.

“Our players have done a great job embracing that adversity right now.

“They’re not hanging their heads or feeling sorry for themselves; they’re going out and competing, and we’re going forward.

“When we get Parker and James back, it gives us a chance to be even stronger, so to speak, because it’s given guys like Carlin [Davison] a chance to really step up in a different situation.

“The guys have embraced it extremely well because I don’t think anybody expected us to win this game today.”

Sam Mennenga has taken on the extra responsibility over the last two games in his stride, averaging 33.5 points and 15.5 rebounds.

Mojave King has also delivered 17 points in both games, but it’s been Davison who has been the breakout star in a new role.

Following 11 assists against the Wildcats as point guard, Davison backed up with a dazzling performance against the Kings with 20 points, 14 assists, four rebounds and four steals, with his coach suitably impressed.

“I just think in the last couple of games, his demeanour has changed and he’s really accepted the challenge, and the responsibility and stepped up,” Herbert said.

“You know, obviously it’s tough with Parker out, but I think a real positive if you look at it is that we’ve found another point guard in the process.

“That’s a real positive from the Parker injury, so to speak, if you could say there is one.”

New Zealand now travels to Tasmania on Sunday to play the JackJumpers from 3pm AEDT, live on ESPN.