Basketball New Zealand

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Waikato Pistons veteran Jeff Niwa (ImageSport NZ)

With time running out on U Park It Waikato Pistonsí unsuccessful comeback bid against NBL champions Easy LPG Bay Hawks in March, coach Murray McMahon subs in one of his favourite players.

He needs a very specific job done – foul the ball handler, put them on the free throw line quickly and regain possession. Itís not a glamorous task, but it must be performed in such a way that it doesnít look intentional, even though everyone in the gym (including referees) knows it is.

And itís only reflection on the stat sheet will be another unwanted personal foul.

After 16 years in the league, journeyman Jeff Niwa is not going to light up the scoreboard for you Öbut he is smart and will give you the little things that every team needs to succeed. Heís glue.

Sure enough, Niwa reaches in, incurs the foul, raises his hand to acknowledge a fair cop and returns immediately to the bench, job well done.

Since 1992, over 265 games, the veteran has given dedicated service to some of the worst teams in league history – and some of the best – without ever tasting ultimate success. Now that Hawks ironman Willie Burton has retired on top, Niwa (33) is the competitionís longest serving active player without a championship.

ìIíve thought about retiring for the past five years, but the hope of a title has kept me going,î he admits. ìIf I win one, thatís it Ö and this is my best chance in a long time.î

Waikato take a five-game winning streak into their Dominion Finance NBL semifinal against Blue Chip Nelson Giants on Saturday. During that run, Niwa has logged just 15m 41s, most of them in a 31-point blowout over Scenic Circle Canterbury Rams.

Yet, when the season began, he was the starting ìtwoî guard on a roster top-heavy in forwards. All that changed when American centre Jason Fraser was injured and replaced with silky smooth guard Jason Crowe.

ìSince Jason arrived, Jeffís playing time has dropped off dramatically because of the different composition of the team,î admits McMahon. ìIíve spoken to him about it, but he seems happy with whatever works for the team.

ìHe continues to bring an extremely tough work ethic each night and has kept Jason honest at every practice.î

At this stage of his career, Niwa harbours no delusions of grandeur.

ìI can still give us a couple of minutes here and there. If the opposition has a man playing well, I can give us a bit of defence or spell someone if they get into foul trouble.î

Player and coach share a bond that only those who have been through hard times together can.

Niwa made his debut 1992 with a New Plymouth franchise based on the expertise of coaching legend Steve McKean. They won the regular season in his rookie year and were back in the semis the following season.

ìIt all seemed pretty easy at the time and I guess I expected to be there every year,î recalls Niwa.

His next visit to the semis would have to wait seven years as part of a North Harbour Kings outfit that won the 2000 regular season, but lost American star Purnell Perry to illness on the eve of the post season.

Meantime, Niwa joined an under-resourced Waikato organisation struggling to stay alive in the national league. The 1995-96 seasons, both coached by McMahon, were particularly fruitless, yielding just four wins from 46 games.

ìJeff went through those really hard times with Waikato,î says the coach. ìHeís seen both sides, so it would be great if we could get him a win now.î

This weekís playoff will see McMahon (63) pass former Harbour stalwart Doc Ward as the leagueís all-time longest serving coach without a title (189 games), a point not lost on Niwa.

ìItís quite a good feeling to have Murray there with us in the semis this year after struggling through those lean years together.î

Most Games, No Titles

Dominion Finance NBL Semifinal Guide (pdf 1.1MB)