Penney Senses Special
Tagged in: NZ Breakers
Jonathan Healy, Sportal
Kirk Penney has a feeling that the New Zealand Breakers are on the verge of achieving something special this season.
Having started the campaign with four wins from their first five games, the Breakers currently occupy top spot on the NBL ladder and Penney believes the feeling around the club is the best he can remember at his time with the New Zealand franchise.
“We have had the one loss, but we have protected our home court pretty good so far,” Penney told NBL.com.au.
“We don’t have the injuries we had last year either. I think last year we had a great feel too, we made some strides for the club and making the playoffs was a huge step for the club and at times we played some really good basketball.”
“This year we had a couple of guys that were down early on in the season, but they are all healthy now and playing really well.”
The Breakers were one of the busiest teams in the off-season, with club hierarchy recruiting experienced point-guard CJ Bruton and Tall Black Dillon Boucher to an already talented roster.
Penney said the recruitment of Bruton and Boucher had been a major coup for the club and he is enjoying playing with the duo.
“Those guys coming in, particularly CJ have made a huge impact for us. They have fitted in so well and it is a great feel at the club,” Penney said.
“They have both got really intelligent basketball IQs and they have played at many different places.
“CJ as a point-guard has led teams to a championship and led the Boomers to many successes. Those guys coming in, particularly CJ have made a huge impact for us.”
“Point-guard is such a crucial position in basketball and to have someone with the quality of CJ, it is a pleasure to play with him and I think all the guys would say the same thing.”
Penney is currently leading the league in scoring, with an impressive average of 29.4 points per game through the first five matches.
If Penney can continue that kind of form he will be in contention to win the league MVP award, but that is not something that the 27-year-old is striving towards.
Instead, Penney - the ultimate team man - is working hard on his defence and wants his team-mates to follow suit.
“We are still establishing ourselves as a team and finding a way to get things done which has been great,” Penney said.
“But on the defensive end I feel we can be so much better and we know we can be.”
“We would like to hold a few more teams in the 80s and 90s. I think that will come as we keep getting our rotations better rather than relying on each other.”
