The New Zealand Breakers and Perth Wildcats meet for the second time this NBL season on Thursday in Auckland but the question for the rest of the league is how to stop the two dominant forces who have combined to win the last five championships.
Through financial and resource-strength off the court, and good coaching, management and leadership on the court, the Breakers and Wildcats have dominated the NBL the last five years and again occupy the top two spots on the ladder heading into Thursday’s clash.
No other team in the NBL can compete with either if it’s a battle of who can build the best team, meaning the best option is to recruit better.
Right now the only way it appears the 2015 championship won’t be won by New Zealand or Perth, is if some of the individual brilliance signed by the Sydney Kings or Melbourne United can deliver when it matters most.
The old adage of a champion team against a team of champions is as old as sport itself, but in the NBL never has it been more relevant. Perth and New Zealand have dominated through building strong, all-round units and not relying on individual star power.
However, both the Wildcats and Breakers are able to do that because they are the strongest clubs financially. Attracting and keeping quality players is easy to do when you have the off-court stability and on-court success to offer them.
It is remarkable to think that no other franchise in the league has won a title since the Sydney Kings did so way back in 2005.
The Melbourne Tigers won championships in 2006 and 2008 but no longer exist and have been rebranded into Melbourne United, and the Brisbane Bullets won in 2007 but went out of business shortly after. The South Dragons then won in 2009 and folded immediately.
The NBL underwent a revamp following the 2009 season and Perth have won the 2010 and 2014 championships, and New Zealand grabbed a three-peat in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Sure, the Wildcats have had individual stars like Kevin Lisch, Shawn Redhage and James Ennis, but it has been the contributions of team men like Damian Martin, Jesse Wagstaff, Matt Knight, Brad Robbins, Greg Hire and Galen Young that ensured their success.
And the Breakers have had Cedric Jackson, CJ Bruton and Gary Wilkinson, but Mika Vukona, Tom Abercrombie, Alex Pledger, Daryl Corletto and Corey Webster all formed a strong group of 10 players that made up for any individual brilliance from rival NBL clubs.
The Breakers and Wildcats have too much depth and quality throughout their 10-man rosters to be beaten straight up, but neither do the teams possess Josh Childress or the breadth of star quality that Melbourne United does.
Childress arrived at the Kings for the 2014-15 season as the best-credentialed import still in his prime in NBL history.
After a rough start in Perth when he was suspended for a game for a hard hit on Perth’s Wagstaff, he now clearly has shown he is the best player in the league.
Since his suspension, Childress has averaged 23.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists a game and proven himself an unstoppable force.
If he is able to help Sydney into the playoffs, he could very well deliver the biggest threat to Perth and New Zealand for the championship. The question is whether or not he has enough help at the Kings.
Captain Ben Madgen is a good second scoring option with Jason Cadee a solid point guard back-up and Tom Garlepp cementing himself as a good third or fourth option.
However, the Kings are struggling with their big men with neither Angus Brandt or Josh Duinker instilling any confidence while point guard Kendrick Perry needs to continue to improve in his rookie season to deliver in the playoffs against the likes of Damian Martin.
Then there is Melbourne United who have now won six straight matches at home and are starting to click.
Based on pure talent, their roster could very well be the best in the NBL but it has always been a question whether or not so many stars in the one group can work well together – and if there’s enough shots in a game to keep them all happy.
With two quality imports Stephen Dennis and Jordan McRae, Olympians David Barlow and Mark Worthington, fringe Boomers Lucas Walker and Daniel Kickert, and good role players in Daryl Corletto, Nate Tomlinson and Owen Odigie, it is a strong group.
They had a horror start with a first-up loss at home to the Cairns Taipans that saw Chris Anstey stand down as coach and Darryl McDonald immediately taking over, but United has not lost in Melbourne since and if that amount of talent clicks, they could also challenge Perth and New Zealand for the championship.
However, as of right now the 2015 NBL championship appears to be Perth or New Zealand’s to lose, just as has been the case the last five years.
Build your own ultimate team! Pick your key players and take a shot at big cash prizes every day with Draftstars. For great odds on NBA games every day head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The Sydney Kings have successfully defended their NBL crown.
News from on and off court around the NBL.
A Tyler Harvey floater with 2.8 seconds remaining has extended the Illawarra Hawks' undefeated start to the NBL season in a 97-96 double-overtime home…
The New Zealand Breakers are rumoured to be interested in signing Lamar Patterson if they fail to re-sign Scotty Hopson for the 2020-2021 NBL…
This is how the Kiwi outfit shaped up last season. Scotty Hopson 9/10 He is one of the stars of the league. He is…
The New Zealand Breakers and everyone involved deserve more credit than what they are getting. After being written off as play-offs contenders months ago,…
