Toops Steps Up
Tagged in: NBL
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Although small by basketball standards, former NZ Tall Black point guard Chris Tupu (1.73m) has never shirked big challenges Ö this could be the biggest of his career.
ìToopsî has already been named rookie head coach for newly crowned NBL champions Blue Chip Nelson Giants next season, following in the footsteps of the leagueís winningest coach, Nenad Vucinic. Phew.
ìThe title definitely brings added pressure,î concedes Tupu (38), who spent this past season as Vucinicís apprentice.
ìNelson have a pretty loyal, supportive bunch of fans who will be expecting us to do our best to defend the title. Iím up for that challenge.
ìBut if we hadnít won the championship this year, there would still be pressure on us to win it next year and taking over from Nenad is pressure in itself.î
Vucinic (42), now the sole owner of the Giants, has somewhat surprisingly announced his NBL retirement after 18 seasons in the league, five Coach of the Year awards, three championships and a record 164 coaching wins.
ìItís time for a change,î says national menís coach. ìRight now, Iím focused only on the Tall Blacks and the Olympic qualifying series.
ìAt some stage in the near future, though, Iíd like to have another club Ö whether it is in the Australian league or in Europe, I donít know.î
Vucinic knew at the start of the season this was likely his last, and set about selecting and grooming his successor. Tupu, who had played alongside him in the Tall Blacks during the 1990s, seemed an obvious choice.
ìI really wanted someone young with enthusiasm. He had to have the right personality, the right character.
ìI knew Toops had applied unsuccessfully for other jobs around the league, but I knew from his playing days that he was very determined and, with help, would become a very, very good coach.î
Tupu had, in fact, coached Waikato to a WNBL title and served as a TV commentator since retiring in 2001. Neither of those credentials helped him in his bid to become an NBL head coach, but all he needed was someone to take a chance with him Ö and not a very big chance at that.
ìThe way things have worked out has been fantastic,î he says. ìBeing able to work as an assistant with someone like Nenad Ö you couldnít ask for a better lead in.
ìIíve learnt heaps and heaps. He always encouraged me to think like a head coach.
ìI would give input on what I thought was needed. Sometimes he would take it and sometimes not.î
Tupu hopes to retain much of the programme that proved so successful this season. He will need to find a replacement for retired centre Ed Book and utility Mark Jones has signaled his intention to travel overseas next year.
But the likelihood is that one Jones will simply make way for another – veteran Tall Black shooter Phill Jones.
ìI donít plan on changing too much, although I will add my own flavour,î says Tupu. ìIím happy with the system we were running this year, the players are happy with it and we were successful with it.
ìIíd be stupid to change it too much.î
Tupu will move from his Raglan home at the start of next year. Wife and former Tall Fern Tania Tupu will find Nelson a competitive market for her jewellery design business.
Vucinic will still run the organisation and be available if Tupu needs help.
ìNenad has assured me he will give me his full support and be there if I need him, but he wonít be looking over my shoulder.
ìHe is the owner of the team and obviously wants results. He sets high standards so we have to do well.î
But the master hands over his reins with full confidence in his replacement.
ìThe organisation now has a bright future,î says Vucinic. ìWe have a good sponsor and the local community supports the team very well.
ìWe have a great management team, a great coaching team and a good base of players.
ìThat doesnít mean we will win, but it means we have a good chance every time.î
