Maor Optimistic about Breakers' Fighting Spirit

After a Covid-enforced mid-season sabbatical the New Zealand Breakers returned to NBL action on Boxing Day, however a first quarter blitz by the Tasmania JackJumpers resigned them to their sixth loss of the season.

Taking to the floor without starting point guard Will McDowell-White or backup centre Sam Timmins, who were sidelined with a finger injury and Covid respectively, the undermanned Breakers squared the ledger in the final three quarters of the game, but the 10-point first quarter deficit saw them finish the contest on the wrong side of a nine-point margin.

Despite the clash being the Breakers’ first in 18 days, head coach Mody Maor was reluctant to make any excuses for his side.

“It was not a good game from us,” Maor said post-game. “Part of it has to do with us not playing a game for a long period of time, but I don’t want to take any credit away from the JackJumpers – they played great.

“This is exactly the type of team you don’t want to face when you’re down a point guard and a little bit out of rhythm.

“We’ve had anywhere between eight to 12 people out at a time, because coming back from Covid takes a little bit of time – it’s not something that’s instant … you can understand how this affects preparation.

“It is what it is. These are the challenges we meet, this is the hand we’ve been dealt and this is what we play with. Tonight, it wasn’t enough to come out with a win but it’s something we learn from, it’s something we grow from.

“It’s something that’ll make us better as a team, it’s something that’ll make us better as a unit, and it’s something we’ll take on to the next game.

What I saw from my guys is nobody gave up … sometimes it gets stacked against you a little bit too much and then what is tested is your character. Some teams fold, some teams keep fighting. My team kept fighting so I’m optimistic about the next one.”

Despite the loss, Maor and guard Izayah Le’Afa were keen to pay homage to the influence veteran wing Cam Gliddon has had on the team this season.

Last night’s clash marked Gliddon’s 300^th appearance in the NBL. After beginning his career with Cairns he has since spent time with the Bullets, Phoenix and now the Breakers.

He stepped up well to help fill the void left by the injured McDowell-White and provided eight points off the bench on 100 per cent shooting.

“We weren’t sure Cam was going to play. The fact he played is a testament to his character,” Maor said.

“Cam is an incredible asset to us, to me as a coach. We are a completely new team and a very young team. Young in age, young in experience in the league, and Cam’s leadership, understanding, team orientation and quality of play have been a huge factor in us being able to come together as a unit and perform the way we’ve been able to perform so far.

“He has a huge stake in who we are. I’m grateful for him being a partner in everything we do and I’m lucky he’s on my side.”

Le’Afa, who also represented the Phoenix alongside Gliddon, was also quick to praise his current and former teammate.

“From the day I came into Melbourne he was a guidance for me. His experience is out of this world. To be able to pick his brain and see the things he’s done in his career, even to this point, it’s a testament to him and there’s a lot you can learn and still learn,” Le’Afa said.

“He’s a team player first and it doesn’t matter if he’s playing or not playing, he’s always the first off the bench to high five you or whatever it is, it’s a credit to him.”

After enduring a forced 18-day break, the Breakers must now wait eight days until they next take to the floor. They’ll host Perth at TBS Stadium.

Maor says he’s keen to utilise the week-long break with his full squad before a jam-packed January begins.

“[We’ll] have a travel day, we’ll go into practice,” Maor said. “This is kind of like a regular week build-up into a game. It’s the last one we’ve got because we’ve got nine games in January.

“We’ll use it to adjust the things we need to adjust for when Will’s not on the floor, get a little bit sharper, get a little bit back into game shape.

“I’m sure we’re going to play a lot better than this.”