Breakers' Star Admits Things Have Got Personal in Playoffs Push

Human highlight reel Zylan Cheatham is not shying away from the wake-up loss to the Sydney Kings last weekend.

If anything, he has turned it into a powerful tool to refocus is mind for the BNZ Breakers’ remaining eight games in the regular season.

“Adversity in my mind is the best teacher,” says Cheatham.

“There are no secrets we’ve had losses, injuries and a whole host of things but I think we can turn this adversity into a positive.  I think it can really help us against the South East Melbourne Phoenix at Spark Arena on Saturday night.”

The former NBA player has lit up the NBL in his first season with a dazzling array of skills but the BNZ Breakers still sit ninth on the league ladder needing to make up just two wins to sit back inside the top six.

Cheatham insists their league position is not reflective of the talent on the team and they will make the post season.

“I think we are really close, we’ve shown flashes, we’ve done it in short spurts versus some of the best teams in the league.

“It’s just a matter of doing it for 40 minutes, staying more consistent with it, believing in each other and trusting in that the other four guys with me on the court to make the right play. 

The Power Forward says the BNZ Breakers’ turnaround starts with him taking a hard look at his own game and where he needs to improve.

“I think I’ve got to do everything one percent better.  Some of the things I’ve been focusing on is bringing better energy, being a better leader, when I’m holding guys accountable it helps myself, it helps me hold myself accountable.

“You can get into the strategic things, the shooting and finishing and rebounding and all those types of things but I think with me is a matter of being a better leader.  

“In that Sydney game, the last game, there was a time when we were ‘bleeding out’ and I felt I didn’t put myself into the line of fire enough with the guys.  

“That’s something I really took personally, and I want to change it going forward.

That opportunity will come against the South East Melbourne Phoenix at Spark Arena on Saturday night.

The Phoenix are an expansion team and although they’ve now been in the league five seasons, this game will be the first time the two rivals have met in Auckland.

Cheatham respects the talent they will bring to Spark Arena.

“I don’t want to hype them up too much, but obviously former Phoenix Suns Centre Alan Williams is an unbelievable player for them, so is Mitch Creek who has NBA experience.  

“They have a really veteran savvy team with the new addition of Abdel Nader whose also played more than 200 NBA games.  They play hard.  They execute things well, they’re well coached, they’re a tough matchup for anyone.”

No better way then for the BNZ Breakers to restart their playoff push with a win against a tough opponent in front of their home fans.

Limited tickets are still available at Ticketmaster – tip off Saturday night at 7.30pm