All in good time: Breakers preach patience with new-look squad

The New Zealand Breakers have undergone a significant off-season overhaul, with just six players retained from their NBL26 roster. The changes don't stop at the playing group either.

World-renowned coach Gordon Herbert now takes the reins of a team that fell just short of Finals last season, despite bookending their campaign with silverware, claiming the CODE Sports NBL Blitz and Ignite Cups.

Despite boasting established stars like Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Sam Mennenga, the influx of new faces means Breakers President of Basketball Dillon Boucher is bracing for a settling-in period before the team finds its rhythm.

"I would be lying if I said we focused on winning the pre-season,” Boucher said.

“We won it [the Blitz] last year and that was great and don't get me wrong, every game we are going out to try and win. But I think more importantly at this time is that Gordie is trying out combinations.

"We have had a disrupted week [due to World Cup Qualifiers] and have some guys coming off a lot of basketball and some who have not played much at all and had an off-season.

“Blending those groups together and make sure we 'touch wood' stay injury free and get combinations right will be more important than wins and losses – but like all competitors they will be out to win every game they play."

New Zealand fans will get their first look at new imports Josiah-Jordan James and Charles Bediako when the Breakers open their Blitz campaign against Sydney on Friday, September 4.

"We handpicked these guys specifically for their skill sets and what they bring,” Boucher said.

"Any new import takes some time to adjust to the league, especially the bigs. So, Charles will be the one, how physical is it, how much will they allow him to do physically, will they allow him to block shots at the rim, things like that.

"For Josiah it will be about the speed of the game, marking some of the better players in the competition, how fast do they move compared to his experience in the G league and other leagues around the world.

"For both it will be a feeling out process, I am not expecting them to set the world on fire in pre-season, if they do, that is a bonus."

Boucher said he couldn't be happier with where the group is at.

"I am really happy, it is feeling like a good balanced group, the camaraderie and culture around the place is amazing.

“The guys have fitted in seamlessly to be honest; we are really happy with how they are interacting and engaging with each other. Right now, things are super positive and we are super excited to see them perform on the court."