NZ Breakers chief executive Lisa Edser insists she isn't worried that her team's current form slump will drive fans away from upcoming home games.
The four-time Aussie NBL champions were atop the competition table only a month ago after a promising 7-3 start to their campaign, but have since plummeted to the league basement with six straight defeats since a two-week break for national team commitments.
During that hiatus, the Breakers replaced American centre Freddie Gillespie, who led the league in blocked shots, with 2.29m (7ft 6in) Sengalese giant Tacko Fall, a move that seems to have knocked the previously competitive outfit off kilter.
Once the stingiest defence in the competition, conceding only 89 points a game over their first 10 games, they have seen that balloon out to 106 over recent outings, with an average losing margin of 22 points.
The Auckland club has dropped its last six games by an average of 22 points. (Source: 1News)
"I'd like to say to our fans I understand the frustration that they're feeling, but don't give up on us," said Edser. "We're not giving up... we're here every day, doing everything we can to turn this around and to get that next win.
"We need you there, not only for our good times, but when we're doing it tough. Stick by us, and come and show the guys you care, because it means so much."
After reaching the playoffs under coach Mody Maor over the past two years, narrowly falling short of a fifth crown in 2023, the Breakers have built a completely new coaching staff and roster this season, retaining just American guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Aussie centre Dane Pineau from the playing group.
Pineau's season now appears over, after he tore a meniscus in his knee last week.
Under new coach Petteri Koponen, the Breakers went winless through their pre-season and surprised many, when they won their opening two regular season games. An arduous travel schedule — some of that self-imposed — presented early challenges, but they seemed well poised heading into the international window.
Edser points out the team have played their last 11 games at 11 different venues, with even home fixtures spread across Auckland's Spark Arena, Christchurch's Wolfbrook Arena, Wellington's TSB Arena and North Shore's EventFinda Stadium over that span.
They return to Spark Arena to face Sydney Kings on Friday.
"The guys, particularly the internationals, always talk about the uniqueness of gameday at Spark, and what it means to have that crowd and the music and the feeling and the atmosphere behind them," sayd Edser. "If we can count on you to be there, that makes a big difference."
She maintains Gillespie asked for a release to take up a lucrative Italian contract, acknowledges Fall addition has come with its challenges, but admits the value of having him around the club cannot be measured in simply wins and losses.
"There's no way you can deny a 7ft 6in guy is going to create a stir," said Edser. "Yes, we're aware of that... it sounds like it might turn into ticket sales or jersey sales, but it doesn't.
"The reality is fans come to basketball for the team. For us, it's more about the long term success of the Breakers and there are so many different elements to it.
"Awareness of our league in the NBA is a huge plus to us and having a player like Tacko here, there are more eyes on us... there are scouts looking at our NZ players that wouldn't have been looking at them initially.
"There's more depth to it than you might see at the surface and that's hard to explain at times."
Edser hints the decision to bring Fall on board was not a unanimous one.
"I have a knowledge of basketball, but not enough to sit here and tell you that bringing in Tacko will do xyz to the playing team," she said. "I trust in our scouts and I trust in our ownership, and I trust in our coaches to be able to adjust."
Edser isn't worried that recent struggles will discourage fans from attending home games and asserts sales for this week's fixture are still very strong.
"I'm not concerned, because ultimately, I think people are there for the basketball more than individuals at this stage.
"It's a fun, fast game. Win or lose, those guys are on the court, giving it their heart and soul, and I think that's what we've got to focus on.
"I hope, for a youngster wanting to be a basketball player, that's what they're seeing. You can't give up — just because you've lost 5-6 games, you can't quit."
SHARE ME