On Saturday night Lemanis said that Pledger would be the guy to rest Rickert, and Bear would slot back to 4. I think they need a strong athletic small forward, but whatever they go for, he needs to be able to rebound and defend if NZ want to win a title.

Do they have enough points available to drop Trueman and bring in an import?

Would be good if Forman worked on his Post game some more and crashed the boards more. Could rotate him to the 4 and get "Crumbly" to the 3.

See whether a mid-season trade to the Taipans for Dusty would work. Certainly would complement some of the gaps in the Breakers frontcourt.

Someone who is a scoring threat inside is what is required. Could open up even more open looks for then 3 point bombers and keep defences honest.

I actually think in Rickert, Ronaldson and Boucher they have enough guys who can cerate inside, but a guy who can shoot and score/create on the drive might bridge the gap between their inside/outside game and give them a third dimension - not to mention perhaps play some defence!

Is Julius free?

They need a slasher. someone like Ere. They have enough 3 pt Shooters and Inside scorers..What they need is someone who can draw fouls off the dribble by attacking rim.

I should add

Bruton
Penny
Ere
Ronaldson
Rickert

Thats one Seasoned team with alot of Vets who know how to get it done.

Perfect player for this team = Ro Ellis.

They definitely need an inside scorer/rebounder more than they need an outside scorer like Ere, what he brings isn't too different to Penney and I have a feeling they would clash. He's really not that good a slasher and would obviously cost a fair bit.

Paul, Rickert is their only legit inside scorer. I don't see how we can consider Ronaldson an inside player anymore, Trueman's not in the rotation and Boucher just isn't a big enough scorer/rebounder.

Ronaldson scores a bit from post moves and Boucher's buckets are all inside from cuts or keeping the ball after the defence has become confused.

Boucher has actually scored quite a bit (by his standards) on spins from the low block this year. The Bear can still score inside, as he has done on many occassions this season.

Simply can't be done (drop Trueman and add an import)
Rickert 10
Boucher 10
Penney 10
Forman 8
Rillie 8
Boucher 7
Ronaldson 6
Henare 5
Abercrombie 1

In 9 players, that's 65 points.
Then they have Trueman/Pledger (11th man, 1 point) and Import to come in if that's how they want to go. Ie. 4 points left.

Rillie would have to be released to make it feasible.
It's possible to drop Henare, but only for an 8. (Hawkins/Grizzard/Hinson/Franklin)

Richard Clark said on radio last night they are not actively pursueing another import but that they are keeping options open.
Heard that Lemanis does not want to affect team chemistry by bringing in an unknown.
What has happenned to Dave Thomas? Has he recovered from whatever problem he had?

My feeling is they will live with Rickert, Boucher and sometimes Ronaldson providing the paint action and rely on the 3 ball.

Look at the rest of the league, who has a dominant frontcourt? Breakers are holding their own against everyone. We have been beaten on glass by Hawks and Perth in a couple of games but its not happening regularly.
Status quo for mine.

I think if they stick with current line up Lemanis needs to work on having a plan B.
Several times this season they have played smothering man to man with great effect and forced turnover after turnover with full court presses yet the very next week play a less than ordinary zone and let teams score at will, frustrating to say the least.
Rickert is having a great season and will be good to have Pledger back on the bench.

Could always pull in Carlos Powell again from the Dakota Wizards.

The man tore it up for them a few years back. Wouldn't mind seeing him again in the league.

Good points Mystro. I suspect they are struggling to keep that intensity up for whole games, but when they are up the floor they look great.

I thikn the key is to spell Bruton more frequantly but for short periods, as he is the one, along with Boucher, who sets the tone on the denial defense but is too worn out to do it in the second half. Similarly, use RIllie more and give Penney more rest, particularly earlier in games.

Abercrombie plays awesome D and has quick hands and troubles most players as soon as they put the ball on the floor.
I tend to agree that Bruton needs to be rested more and Henare plays good D but can't score so it's a matter of managing rotations so there are enough scoring threats left on the floor with people who can play D so sort it Lemanis

Carlos Powell was a ball hog, sure he could score but we still lost alot while he was here