Breakers Back to Their Best: Gibson

Are the New Zealand Breakers back on the wagon? If their last couple of performances are anything to go by, Adam Gibson thinks yes.

With up to 12 NBA scouts in the audience – largely to watch Next Star Rayan Rupert – the Breakers thoroughly dismantled an undermanned Brisbane side to the tune of 28 points.

Despite the return of guard pair Barry Brown Jr and Izayah Le’Afa, the big win allowed New Zealand to utilise the depths of its bench. Every player to suit up on the night played at least three minutes of the game.

Speaking on NBL Today, Adam Gibson says he feels the Breakers were always going to turn things around after their four-game losing streak.

<iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/5ur34kM2c9Sr2VKS6qfCmI?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe>

“I think with Barry Brown Jr being injured early on in that losing streak affected them because he’s been such a big punch for them,” Gibson said.

“One of their losses was that Tyler Harvey half-court heave game-winner so you take that one out – you give that one back to them – they’re on a three-game winning streak.

“It can change so quickly in the NBL. You can lose two then win two … with their full-strength team now back I think the Breakers are back to where they want to be, and they’ll push to contend for the top two.

Competition >> Last chance: Party with Shaq in the US - closes Monday, 12pm AEDT - Enter now

One of New Zealand’s potential play-in opponents – South East Melbourne – has been handed a massive potential boost for NBL24, with star import centre Alan Williams stating he’d be keen to extend his stay in Melbourne.

Williams has been a revelation for the Phoenix since arriving this season and has locked down the centre position to the tune of 16.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Gibson says those in charge at the Phoenix need to get ‘Big Sauce’ signed on as soon as possible.

“I would lock [Williams] away as soon as possible. Yanni Wetzell was around a couple of years ago and was such a great piece – he left and that just disrupted their team.

“When you get a piece that’s so solid and you don’t have to worry about them … I would lock them away.

“He’s been such a dominant post player that they can rely on him and go to him play after play. He can score from anywhere, he’s got a great fl;oater and he’s such an energy guy for them.

“He provides so much to the group not just from his playing performances – he’s a great leader, he’s been in the NBA, he’s reliable, he’s an older guy. It’s not like he wants to stay here because he’s got no other options.

“He’s such a big piece and I would lock him away in a heartbeat.”