Nelson Weidemann had just one practice with the New Zealand Breakers before playing, and Gordon Herbert sees a role for him once he settles: "maybe be a defensive stopper for us on the defensive end on the perimeter."
"for 38 minutes they didn't call 3 seconds in the key or moving screen, and then they called 2. A minute 30 to go. What's that about?" — New Zealand Breakers coach Gordon Herbert on the loss to Tasmania. He also asked why the same three referees from 16 October worked it again.
No timeline for Parker Jackson-Cartwright or Josiah-Jordan James, both out for the New Zealand Breakers. Gordon Herbert: "hopefully we get James and Parker back at some time." With Jackson-Cartwright out, "we're asking a lot" of Sam Mennenga: "Sam's a workhorse."
Parker Jackson-Cartwright and James are both out for the New Zealand Breakers, and Gordon Herbert gave no timeline for either. Nelson Weidemann's visa has moved forward: best case he lands late in the week of Oct 12, maybe early the week of Oct 19. No firm update.
Shorter minutes and a better rotation: the New Zealand Breakers' Gordon Herbert said he didn't rest players enough against Perth, which hurt them in the fourth quarter. When Sam Mennenga tired and asked to come out, Anzac Rissetto "gave us great minutes".
Nelson Watley, the New Zealand Breakers' incoming signing, won't fill in at point guard. "He's not a point guard," Gordon Herbert said; Watley was signed to defend. Carlin Davison, a forward, ran the point with 11 assists. Watley's timeline? "I have no idea."
Sam Mennenga said the New Zealand Breakers' plan without Parker Jackson-Cartwright was to "play inside out." On 7 turnovers: "if I cleaned up, we could have been in a better position to win the basketball game." Gordon Herbert, asked about a player on crutches, gave no status.
Gordon Herbert says the New Zealand Breakers have lost both point guards and their secondary ball handler: Parker Jackson-Cartwright is out, Preston Le Gassick "gone", two imports missing, James hurt preseason. "It's like being out in a rowboat without oars."
Parker Jackson-Cartwright is "one of those once-in-a-lifetime generational players that come to the NBL, like a Bryce and like a Kendrick Davis," said Dejan Vasiljevic, who says his Breakers teammate lacks recognition because he plays in New Zealand.
First road win of the season for the New Zealand Breakers, in Adelaide. Gordon Herbert changed the defence on two days' practice, unsure they could do it; they did. Next: two weeks away at Perth, Canberra and Tasmania. Asked about a third import, he wouldn't commit.