Lemanis: Defence Key
Tagged in: NZ Breakers
New Zealand Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis and his coaching team are heading into the final phase of pre-season work, with opening night now just eight days away on Thursday, September 18.
Coach Lemanis is pleased with the work his players are putting in but says there is still work to be done.
“At this stage we are comfortable with where we are at, but there is a way to go yet, we can and will get much better. We are confident heading into the season but ask that of any team right now and they will all answer in the positive, everyone is feeling good about their chances in what will be a fiercely competitive league.
“But right now we are just looking forward to playing I guess, we are a little sick of practicing, it feels like we have been practicing for months so yeah, we are ready to play.”
Lemanis says the team has had no issues in gelling together as a group and bringing the new players up to speed.
“It helps that we have a core group of guys back who understand the plays and the way we operate as a club. Those guys have helped the new signings through.
“Rather than in previous years everyone being in learning mode at this stage of the year, some are just playing basketball and consequently are helping others as much as the coaching staff are.”
Lemanis says as in previous years, the key to success and winning games is at the defensive end of the court.
“Defense is absolutely the key to getting wins. You don’t have to be Einsten to see that we have a reasonably talented offense and options to challenge most teams in the league. We are already seeing a good chemistry at the scoring end of the court but defensively we still need work.
“There has to be a commitment to playing each possession and not letting what happens on offence dictate defensive attitude. Transition to defense will be huge for us, make the opposition take contested shots and blocking out are the three keys.”
Latest recruit CJ Bruton is settling in well, despite having just two weeks with the side since his arrival from the Beijing Olympics. Lemanis expected nothing less from a quality player and person.
“CJ has fitted in as expected when we recruited him. He is a good team focused person as well as skilled player in his own right.
“Already he has brought all of that to the table, using his talents to help the group but the group is also learning where he can be best used to take the team forward. There is no doubt he will do a good job for us and in particular give us more time to get shots off.”
While Lemanis is concerned first and foremost with his own players, he has been scouting the Breakers first up opposition, Wollongong.
“They are a good group with strong offensive firepower. Our challenge again will be at the defensive end. We have to do a good job there as they run very well and have a few players who can get away on any given night. We must make sure we limit their opportunities.”
