Basketball New Zealand

Thomas Abercrombie (Photosport)

Ian Anderson, Waikato Times
A new-look, new-style Waikato Pistons are primed to chase a third successive NBL title.

The two-time National Basketball League champions start their campaign on Thursday and coach Dean Vickerman admits his troops are set to run their way to the title.

Expect the Pistons to play a more up-tempo game than last season’s chiefly half-court game, as Vickerman goes with a horses for courses approach.

Imported point guard Eric Devendorf, shooting guard Gerard Bowden and swingman Thomas Abercrombie are all excellent athletes, along with guard Hayden Allen.

The Pistons thought they’d picked up Allen from the Auckland Stars when the Stars were suspended from this year’s competition due to financial concerns.

However, the Times understands the Stars are yet to release Allen and are taking legal proceedings against the decision to omit them from the league. Allen is practising with the Pistons as they prepare for their season-opener at Te Awamutu against the Nelson Giants on Thursday.

“With Eric, Hayden Allen and Gerard Bowden, we’ll be a lot different to last year,” Vickerman said.

“Last year we could score, but we were very strong defensively and very good in the half court.

“This year we’ll be much quicker and can score in bunches.

“We’ll look to apply some defensive pressure up the court, as long as we don’t give away easy layups and easy threes using that style,” Vickerman said.

While the style may be taxing on the legs of 37-year-old Tony Ronaldson, who retired from the Australian NBL recently after a record 665 matches, he’ll be expected to fill a role similar to that of departed captain Pero Cameron.

Ronaldson’s court savvy, inside presence and long-range shooting prowess should complement the athleticism of his team-mates.

“Alex Pledger’s very quick, as well, for a centre,” Vickerman said.

“If we can rebound well we’ll get running.

“I enjoy coaching a transition style – if that’s the strength of your team then it’s sensible to coach to that.

“It’s a very exciting style to go and watch and we’ve got some very good athletes.”

Vickerman expects winning a third successive title will be a stiff task in the extended NBL programme which includes the new Southland Sharks franchise and the return of the Otago Nuggets.

“The standard of the league has gone up 10-15 per cent from last year,” Vickerman said, with traditional powerhouses Wellington Saints, Nelson Giants and Bay Hawks all likely to be pushing the Pistons.
“Nelson are going to be hungry after making the semifinals then the finals to make that next step,” Vickerman said.

“Hawke’s Bay have put together a really good line-up with [coach] Shawn Dennis itching to get back to the finals.

“Harbour will have really good depth, Christchurch should again be strong, they pushed us very hard in the semifinals last year.

“They’ll be the major ones but Taranaki will have got better and Southland should be very competitive too,” Vickerman said.

The Pistons will play a warm-up match today at noon against the Harbour Heat at Hamilton Boys’ High School.

Waikato Pistons: Eric Devendorf, Hayden Allen, Gerard Bowden, Thomas Abercrombie, Tony Ronaldson, Alex Pledger, Mike Homik, Puke Lenden, Ray Cameron, Kurtis Elliott, Royli Ali, John Auld