Nice Article, as a Chicagoan who has moved to New Zealand 5 years ago, I have a 'slight' appreciation for the sport of Basketball. Especially since I watched almost every game possible during the Jordan+Pippen Era. New Zealand is an amazing sports country, the people are so passionate about all their sports from the amazing All Blacks to their World #1 Golfers to their Olympic Champions. But the big difference is the accessibility to the sports and the athletes. During the Breakers 2nd Championship run, my wife and I went to the casino that sponsors the Breakers and watched them win the Championship. It was a small group of about 150-200 fans who could not get tickets to the Game. But the amazing part is that after the game the Players came back to the casino and celebrated with the patrons who waited for them. My wife got pictures with CJ Bruton and Cedrick Jackson and the trophy about 2 hours after they won it. So imagine 2 hours after the Bulls win their 2nd championship and having your picture taken with MJ and Horace Grant and the trophy. Would never happen in the US but here in New Zealand it is VERY possible, oh and it didn't cost anything it was a free to anyone event.
Good stuff. There's some great ball going on in the international scene.
For Scott Cacciola, some follow-ups would be to cover an uber-talented NYC product playing in the Aussie league. Jamar Wilson is originally from The Bronx, went to HS on Long Island and starred for the University at Albany (putting a scare into #1 UConn in round 1 of UA's 1st NCAA appearance). Also, Manhattan native and former Georgetown standout point guard Jesse Sapp is setting a great example for other youngsters following his hoops footsteps out of the inner city by pursuing his dream and seeing the world. He is currently playing in Poland.
For Scott Cacciola, some follow-ups would be to cover an uber-talented NYC product playing in the Aussie league. Jamar Wilson is originally from The Bronx, went to HS on Long Island and starred for the University at Albany (putting a scare into #1 UConn in round 1 of UA's 1st NCAA appearance). Also, Manhattan native and former Georgetown standout point guard Jesse Sapp is setting a great example for other youngsters following his hoops footsteps out of the inner city by pursuing his dream and seeing the world. He is currently playing in Poland.
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Great article that captures the Kiwi psyche especially as it relates to sport. The Clarkes apply a typical Kiwi approach to the Breakers' business model. The treat their players and fans with the utmost respect. The Kiwi fans return the favour--their reaction to Jackson's parents is an example of how human Kiwis are at their very core. The All Blacks, as monumental as they are in New Zealand and world sport, have the same approach. Since almost every young Kiwi rugby player aspires to wear the black jersey, the All Blacks' standards--both on and off the field--set the national tone for behaviour of athletes. The All Blacks' coaches and senior players see to it that the players leave their locker room clean and on occasion the players are even expected to clean part of a stadium after a match. The players do it without complaint. Kiwi athletes occasional falter but all in all they are humble beyond imagination.
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Here, and I always thought, "tough people" can take losing! I guess being down under, they do things backward! For indeed, they are "'tough" in that the Aussies, don't dominate on the tennis court, as they once did ! Now, that's tough!!!
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Excellent article, normally when the NY Times writes about New Zealand it's about LOTR, the scenery, the All Blacks but not basketball... I grew up in Indiana (I've lived in NZ for 15+ years), so I know a bit about basketball, the best Kiwis are definitely not as good as the best Hoosiers (they are getting closer though), however their attitude and drive is equal if not superior, case and point see Stephen Adams of OKC. And quite often it's not talent that wins games, but the right attitude, and if you happen to be playing an Aussie team.
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As a Kiwi in the US I appreciated this alot. Nice one!
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Great story, and thanks NY Times.
The owners and management have a great philosophy and do an amazing job in a country where 90% of sponsorship and television is taking up by rugby.
To average 5000 indoors while televised live rivals some of the rugby games and has the rugby boguns asking "how do they do that".
For states siders this would be similar to the Nicks going to the US Eagles rugby people and saying... "hey we can learn from you".
The owners and management have a great philosophy and do an amazing job in a country where 90% of sponsorship and television is taking up by rugby.
To average 5000 indoors while televised live rivals some of the rugby games and has the rugby boguns asking "how do they do that".
For states siders this would be similar to the Nicks going to the US Eagles rugby people and saying... "hey we can learn from you".
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Actually, the way the Knicks have been going lately maybe they could learn a few things from the US Eagles rugby people. But we take your point.
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Big league sports can take a few pointers from this wonderful story and apply them. One of the many good points is on building a strong following. Many times you hear how a sport in this country is losing its' following, many ask why?
The answer is simple. Where is the contact with the fan base? Nowadays if you haven't plunked 5000 dollars for a seat, your only chance to see your favorite player close-up is by watching television. Where is the connection between team and fans? Who knows?
Why not offer seats to watch an open practice, charge a reasonable price. Let young fans experience the importance of discipline. Let half of the money collected go towards charity the rest facility fees. It amazing to read in this story that a ballplayer actually came over to have a picture taken with a family.
Some may say our professional leagues are different, true. But its odd how in some countries the fan base is growing whereas in this country, so rich in tradition, the opposite is occurring. Perhaps, it's time to go back to basics.
The answer is simple. Where is the contact with the fan base? Nowadays if you haven't plunked 5000 dollars for a seat, your only chance to see your favorite player close-up is by watching television. Where is the connection between team and fans? Who knows?
Why not offer seats to watch an open practice, charge a reasonable price. Let young fans experience the importance of discipline. Let half of the money collected go towards charity the rest facility fees. It amazing to read in this story that a ballplayer actually came over to have a picture taken with a family.
Some may say our professional leagues are different, true. But its odd how in some countries the fan base is growing whereas in this country, so rich in tradition, the opposite is occurring. Perhaps, it's time to go back to basics.
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ESPN or one of those entities ought to sign a deal. I will NEVER watch the Not Basketball Association (NBA) but I would watch these players!!
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So nice to see any sporting news from NZ and Australia. More please?
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the Cricket World Cup is happening there right now! Great time to learn a new sport.
You mean you can't watch Australian Rules Football anywhere on U.S. television? A combination of soccer and rugby on a gigantic field where the players keep playing and scores are high. Not like the NFL which is essentially a short break between commercials.
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Australian Rules Football used to air in the US, but I haven't seen a match listed in years. A pity, as it's a fun sport to watch.
Nice gig, Scott. Who would have guessed the Knicks beat would turn into a world travel bonanza?
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Not the Knicks? They'd probably BEAT the Knicks!
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Nearly impossible to make money owning an NBL franchise. There is no money in their TV deal. The teams are tenants in every building they play in, so few streams of income other than ticket sales. The league chooses to play its season in the summer, which in most cities is glorious. Most of the franchises are in cities on the ocean and the beaches beckon. Who wants to go indoors and watch basketball when the weather's great and there' so much to do outside?
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What a great article.....thanks so much for placing it on the front page of Sports Sunday. My wife and I just returned from our first trip ever to NZ and Australia. Our daughter lives in Auckland where we spent a fantastic week in this beautiful city. Had we not gone on this adventure much of what was in the article probably would have gone over my head...the dangers of swimming in certain Aussie waters, the mascots mocking the Breakers with stuffed sheep, the incredible friendliness of the people from both nations, and so on. Given the obsession with pro sports here in the states and the enormous sums of money involved, this was such a refreshing story about what seems like a fun team and league. Great job.
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Bwahahahahahahahaaha
For Kiwis, there are few things more enjoyable than beating Australians at sports, even if that sport is basketball.
Tiddlywinks would do.
For Kiwis, there are few things more enjoyable than beating Australians at sports, even if that sport is basketball.
Tiddlywinks would do.
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behave Geoffrey or I'll sneak over and steal your gumboots
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You've done well in capturing the mood of the team and fans, I wish we had more journalists like you in New Zealand.
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