1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,587 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,547 Speaker 2: Let's stay with the sports with the hoops. The Breakers 4 00:00:15,667 --> 00:00:17,947 Speaker 2: up and running in the twenty twenty four to twenty 5 00:00:17,947 --> 00:00:21,507 Speaker 2: five Australian National Basketball League season. They began their campaign 6 00:00:21,587 --> 00:00:24,667 Speaker 2: with a ninety one eighty seven win over the Brisbane 7 00:00:24,667 --> 00:00:27,907 Speaker 2: Bullets last weekend. Three Seconds Left, three point League. 8 00:00:27,987 --> 00:00:29,747 Speaker 3: You mix it as all well and makes it just 9 00:00:29,787 --> 00:00:32,587 Speaker 3: stay wide away from everybody, do not go follos Thirth, 10 00:00:32,627 --> 00:00:36,467 Speaker 3: one point play, Smith milneral step into it. 11 00:00:38,067 --> 00:00:44,507 Speaker 2: And the New Zealand Breakers snatch victory from the jaws 12 00:00:44,547 --> 00:00:47,667 Speaker 2: of the vehicle. Yeah, a win for the Breakers last week. 13 00:00:47,827 --> 00:00:49,907 Speaker 2: They were actually about twenty six points ahead in that 14 00:00:49,987 --> 00:00:51,987 Speaker 2: game before winning it by four, But a win's a win. 15 00:00:52,107 --> 00:00:54,867 Speaker 2: Next up, they have their first home game tonight Spark Arena. 16 00:00:55,147 --> 00:00:58,427 Speaker 2: The Southeast Melbourne Phoenix are the opposition. One of the 17 00:00:58,427 --> 00:01:01,987 Speaker 2: new faces on the Breakers roster highly experienced Australian guard 18 00:01:02,307 --> 00:01:05,507 Speaker 2: Mitch McCarran, who's closing it on two hundred and fifty 19 00:01:05,547 --> 00:01:09,227 Speaker 2: AMBL game games, having previously played for the Kings, Taipe Hands, 20 00:01:09,267 --> 00:01:12,587 Speaker 2: the Melbourne United Side and also the Adelaide thirty sixers, 21 00:01:12,627 --> 00:01:15,347 Speaker 2: he joins us. Now, Mitch, thanks for joining us on 22 00:01:15,387 --> 00:01:17,387 Speaker 2: the show. How pleasing was it, first of all to 23 00:01:17,387 --> 00:01:18,347 Speaker 2: get that win first. 24 00:01:18,227 --> 00:01:21,427 Speaker 3: Up, Hey, thanks for having me on. Yeah, it's awesome. 25 00:01:21,507 --> 00:01:24,027 Speaker 3: You know, that's obviously the goal, and you know we 26 00:01:24,027 --> 00:01:26,627 Speaker 3: were taking to shride forward even though you know it 27 00:01:26,707 --> 00:01:28,387 Speaker 3: might not have seemed like it in the wins Colin. 28 00:01:28,787 --> 00:01:30,547 Speaker 3: In the preseason, you know, we felt like we were 29 00:01:30,547 --> 00:01:33,147 Speaker 3: growing as a group of getting better and then first 30 00:01:33,147 --> 00:01:35,507 Speaker 3: game of the year we get the big job done, and. 31 00:01:35,467 --> 00:01:37,867 Speaker 2: We want to know, did it feel as though you 32 00:01:37,867 --> 00:01:39,627 Speaker 2: know you were on the right track even though as 33 00:01:39,627 --> 00:01:43,067 Speaker 2: you as you just said, the preseason results weren't going 34 00:01:43,067 --> 00:01:43,507 Speaker 2: your way. 35 00:01:45,027 --> 00:01:47,707 Speaker 3: Yeah, obviously, you know, having done it a few times 36 00:01:47,747 --> 00:01:49,987 Speaker 3: now with a few different groups, you know, it's always 37 00:01:50,027 --> 00:01:52,147 Speaker 3: a different vibe, you know, with every team, you know, 38 00:01:52,227 --> 00:01:54,747 Speaker 3: some have got a lot of continuation and some are 39 00:01:54,827 --> 00:01:57,827 Speaker 3: very new, which is us. So you know, we've got 40 00:01:57,987 --> 00:02:00,187 Speaker 3: a new coaching staff in the league for the most part, 41 00:02:00,987 --> 00:02:03,987 Speaker 3: you know, other than Socksy carrying over, and we've got 42 00:02:04,307 --> 00:02:06,227 Speaker 3: a lot of new players, not only to New Zealand 43 00:02:06,267 --> 00:02:08,747 Speaker 3: but to the league as well, so there's an adjustment 44 00:02:08,787 --> 00:02:10,387 Speaker 3: period that comes with that, but I feel like we've 45 00:02:10,427 --> 00:02:12,307 Speaker 3: been getting a lot better and we saw a lot 46 00:02:12,307 --> 00:02:13,427 Speaker 3: of that against Brisbane. 47 00:02:13,627 --> 00:02:16,267 Speaker 2: You're one of the more experienced players in the league. 48 00:02:16,467 --> 00:02:18,827 Speaker 2: Did you feel a responsibility coming in, even into a 49 00:02:18,867 --> 00:02:21,467 Speaker 2: new team, to assume a leadership role. 50 00:02:23,667 --> 00:02:25,707 Speaker 3: Yeah, I guess I just wanted to do, you know, 51 00:02:25,787 --> 00:02:28,307 Speaker 3: get back to being, you know, that the confident player 52 00:02:28,347 --> 00:02:30,587 Speaker 3: that I was first of all. You know, I know 53 00:02:30,627 --> 00:02:32,187 Speaker 3: what my skill set is and I want to bring 54 00:02:32,267 --> 00:02:34,947 Speaker 3: that for the team. And then naturally, I think I 55 00:02:34,987 --> 00:02:37,827 Speaker 3: can help lead and help others get better in that role, 56 00:02:37,947 --> 00:02:40,147 Speaker 3: regardless of whether that's got a title on it or not. 57 00:02:41,147 --> 00:02:43,427 Speaker 3: You know, it ended up being the case sharing the 58 00:02:43,547 --> 00:02:45,907 Speaker 3: role with with Parker. But at the same time, it's 59 00:02:45,947 --> 00:02:48,547 Speaker 3: really just about everyone bringing their best energy every day 60 00:02:48,587 --> 00:02:49,947 Speaker 3: and that way everyone's the leader. 61 00:02:50,267 --> 00:02:52,627 Speaker 2: And of course coming into a new team that's not 62 00:02:52,667 --> 00:02:54,787 Speaker 2: necessarily new for you, but there are a lot of 63 00:02:54,867 --> 00:02:59,467 Speaker 2: new faces in this team. Has it been relatively you know, 64 00:02:59,747 --> 00:03:02,827 Speaker 2: straightforward to mesh as a playing group, even though I 65 00:03:02,827 --> 00:03:04,787 Speaker 2: guess most of you have never really played with one 66 00:03:04,787 --> 00:03:05,507 Speaker 2: another before. 67 00:03:07,107 --> 00:03:08,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, it takes it takes a little bit of time, 68 00:03:08,867 --> 00:03:12,467 Speaker 3: for sure, you know, And and season is a ramp 69 00:03:12,547 --> 00:03:15,227 Speaker 3: up from pre season even so, that's that's another big 70 00:03:15,267 --> 00:03:17,667 Speaker 3: one that is hard to explain to people that haven't 71 00:03:17,667 --> 00:03:19,827 Speaker 3: been around the league. You know, you're playing in preseason 72 00:03:19,827 --> 00:03:21,987 Speaker 3: games and you feel like everyone's playing harder than it 73 00:03:22,067 --> 00:03:24,227 Speaker 3: just goes up another level when it all counts, and 74 00:03:25,147 --> 00:03:28,347 Speaker 3: every team in this league is good. If you play poorly, 75 00:03:28,427 --> 00:03:30,307 Speaker 3: you lose. It's as simple as that. There are no 76 00:03:30,507 --> 00:03:34,547 Speaker 3: nights off, and so from that perspective, it might take 77 00:03:34,587 --> 00:03:36,307 Speaker 3: a bit of time for certain groups to adjust. But 78 00:03:36,347 --> 00:03:38,827 Speaker 3: I thought we were really good in Round one and 79 00:03:38,947 --> 00:03:40,787 Speaker 3: we weren't perfect, but we'll continue to grow. 80 00:03:41,227 --> 00:03:44,427 Speaker 2: Just quick look at your career stats. So you're a 81 00:03:44,427 --> 00:03:47,147 Speaker 2: six foot two guard, but you average over five rebounds 82 00:03:47,147 --> 00:03:48,067 Speaker 2: a game. How are you doing that? 83 00:03:49,867 --> 00:03:52,827 Speaker 3: I steal them from the big but it's a secret. Yeah, 84 00:03:52,827 --> 00:03:54,627 Speaker 3: you're letting them do the hard work and you're running 85 00:03:54,627 --> 00:03:56,707 Speaker 3: it and they love it. They love it when you 86 00:03:56,747 --> 00:03:57,267 Speaker 3: do it. 87 00:03:58,427 --> 00:04:01,467 Speaker 2: Apart from your your uncanny ability to port o rebounds, 88 00:04:01,507 --> 00:04:03,267 Speaker 2: what else do you think you can bring mainly to 89 00:04:03,307 --> 00:04:04,027 Speaker 2: the Breaker's roster. 90 00:04:05,747 --> 00:04:07,747 Speaker 3: I want to be, you know, obviously a creative guard 91 00:04:07,827 --> 00:04:09,827 Speaker 3: for us. You know, Parker is our guy, no doubt 92 00:04:10,347 --> 00:04:12,667 Speaker 3: you know, he's a superstar, and we want the ball 93 00:04:12,707 --> 00:04:14,667 Speaker 3: in his hands as much as possible because that would 94 00:04:14,667 --> 00:04:17,027 Speaker 3: be good for us. But we've got some, you know, 95 00:04:17,067 --> 00:04:19,107 Speaker 3: whether you call it, you know, other point guards or 96 00:04:19,147 --> 00:04:22,067 Speaker 3: secondary ball carriers, you know, guys like Matt Mooney and 97 00:04:22,467 --> 00:04:24,547 Speaker 3: myself who need to be aggressive for us and be 98 00:04:24,587 --> 00:04:27,787 Speaker 3: playmakers for us. So you know, we'll just play off 99 00:04:27,827 --> 00:04:29,707 Speaker 3: Parker and if Parker is often, then we'll have the 100 00:04:29,747 --> 00:04:31,547 Speaker 3: ball in our hands a little bit more and help 101 00:04:31,627 --> 00:04:33,987 Speaker 3: us get into the flow of things. And that way, 102 00:04:34,027 --> 00:04:36,467 Speaker 3: everyone's kind of on the same page and sucking their role, 103 00:04:36,467 --> 00:04:37,147 Speaker 3: which is a good thing. 104 00:04:37,307 --> 00:04:40,547 Speaker 2: How does Parker Jackson Country compare to other court partners 105 00:04:40,587 --> 00:04:40,947 Speaker 2: you've had. 106 00:04:43,707 --> 00:04:46,707 Speaker 3: He is as painful, if not the most painful guy 107 00:04:46,747 --> 00:04:49,587 Speaker 3: that the guard at practice, that's for sure. You know, 108 00:04:49,707 --> 00:04:51,587 Speaker 3: he's he's going to make us a lot better though 109 00:04:51,627 --> 00:04:54,867 Speaker 3: in that sense, and I was excited about that. You know, 110 00:04:54,867 --> 00:04:57,027 Speaker 3: I was excited when I signed with the Breakers to 111 00:04:57,067 --> 00:04:59,587 Speaker 3: know that Parker was going to be back for that reason, 112 00:04:59,627 --> 00:05:01,427 Speaker 3: you know, even playing against him, I was like, man, 113 00:05:01,467 --> 00:05:05,347 Speaker 3: this guy's really good. He's smart, and from everyone that 114 00:05:05,387 --> 00:05:07,627 Speaker 3: I spoke to, he was a really good guy. And 115 00:05:07,667 --> 00:05:10,187 Speaker 3: that's turned out to be true, so I'm enjoying it. 116 00:05:10,227 --> 00:05:12,147 Speaker 3: You know, the daily battles of trying to keep him 117 00:05:12,147 --> 00:05:15,427 Speaker 3: in front and also trying to attack him, and you 118 00:05:15,467 --> 00:05:18,467 Speaker 3: know he's all brought in on the team being successful. 119 00:05:18,627 --> 00:05:20,867 Speaker 3: So yeah, I've loved playing with him so far. 120 00:05:21,227 --> 00:05:22,827 Speaker 2: When you sign for the team match, I think Modi 121 00:05:22,907 --> 00:05:25,307 Speaker 2: Mayor was the coach. I know he's departed now, but 122 00:05:25,587 --> 00:05:30,387 Speaker 2: how important was he in getting you across the Tasman. Yeah? 123 00:05:30,387 --> 00:05:32,547 Speaker 3: That was That was really the main reason that I signed, 124 00:05:32,547 --> 00:05:35,707 Speaker 3: to be honest, you know, I was excited about a 125 00:05:35,827 --> 00:05:37,987 Speaker 3: coach that was kind of well known for I guess 126 00:05:38,067 --> 00:05:41,187 Speaker 3: role clarity, for a guy who had a very thorough 127 00:05:41,187 --> 00:05:44,267 Speaker 3: system and you know made people buy into that and 128 00:05:44,267 --> 00:05:46,907 Speaker 3: made people play a certain way. And you know, we 129 00:05:46,987 --> 00:05:48,787 Speaker 3: saw the success they had a couple of years ago 130 00:05:48,827 --> 00:05:50,947 Speaker 3: when they pushed Sydney in the in the game five 131 00:05:50,987 --> 00:05:53,707 Speaker 3: of Grand Final series and some of their guys were 132 00:05:53,747 --> 00:05:56,547 Speaker 3: just excelling in their skill sets and that for me 133 00:05:56,667 --> 00:05:58,467 Speaker 3: was a major sign where I wanted to get back 134 00:05:58,507 --> 00:06:01,827 Speaker 3: to being a guy that could play his role. But also, 135 00:06:02,147 --> 00:06:04,627 Speaker 3: you know, just just have a coach that understood who 136 00:06:04,627 --> 00:06:06,747 Speaker 3: he was and from talking to Mody that was that 137 00:06:06,827 --> 00:06:08,587 Speaker 3: was really the deciding factor is that I thought he 138 00:06:08,667 --> 00:06:10,667 Speaker 3: understood who I was as a player the best. 139 00:06:11,147 --> 00:06:13,227 Speaker 2: So I guess the natural follow on question is, now 140 00:06:13,267 --> 00:06:16,307 Speaker 2: that he's departed, are you in any way second guessing 141 00:06:16,347 --> 00:06:19,627 Speaker 2: your decision or have you? Have you found Poteri Copingan 142 00:06:19,707 --> 00:06:22,267 Speaker 2: to be a coach you can also feel like you 143 00:06:22,267 --> 00:06:23,507 Speaker 2: can make a you know. 144 00:06:23,747 --> 00:06:27,827 Speaker 3: Have a fit with Yeah, not at all. It's been 145 00:06:28,187 --> 00:06:30,547 Speaker 3: actually really fun. You know, it's obviously very different, you know, 146 00:06:30,707 --> 00:06:33,507 Speaker 3: first year head coach coming in compared to Mody, But 147 00:06:34,507 --> 00:06:37,307 Speaker 3: at the same time, I think they you know, we 148 00:06:37,427 --> 00:06:41,107 Speaker 3: have Soxy carryover from the previous year, who was an 149 00:06:41,107 --> 00:06:44,067 Speaker 3: assistant coach and he's now associate head coach, and you know, 150 00:06:44,107 --> 00:06:46,067 Speaker 3: he carries over some of the systems that we had 151 00:06:46,107 --> 00:06:47,907 Speaker 3: and some of the thoughts that Mody had. And I 152 00:06:47,907 --> 00:06:50,947 Speaker 3: had a really good phone call with him after Mody 153 00:06:50,987 --> 00:06:54,187 Speaker 3: departed and before preseason started about role and it was 154 00:06:54,347 --> 00:06:56,787 Speaker 3: very very similar and they were clearly on the same page, 155 00:06:56,827 --> 00:06:59,867 Speaker 3: so you know, it wasn't like a complete disconnect. All right, 156 00:06:59,907 --> 00:07:01,787 Speaker 3: We're going to do everything differently. There was a lot 157 00:07:01,787 --> 00:07:05,067 Speaker 3: of carryover and then cop comes in and I mean 158 00:07:05,067 --> 00:07:08,027 Speaker 3: he played at such a highlight, and you know that 159 00:07:08,267 --> 00:07:10,507 Speaker 3: that level of European basketball, you know you need to 160 00:07:10,587 --> 00:07:12,667 Speaker 3: think and you need to stick into your system because 161 00:07:12,707 --> 00:07:15,107 Speaker 3: everyone is so good and the margins so small. So 162 00:07:15,547 --> 00:07:17,547 Speaker 3: I think he's brought that with him to us and 163 00:07:17,587 --> 00:07:19,747 Speaker 3: we understand. Look, we're the underdogs, you know we are, 164 00:07:20,027 --> 00:07:21,587 Speaker 3: so you know, we have to be so good in 165 00:07:21,667 --> 00:07:23,427 Speaker 3: little areas and everyone brought into that. 166 00:07:23,747 --> 00:07:26,227 Speaker 2: All right, So tonight South East Melbourne, Phoenix, So you're 167 00:07:26,267 --> 00:07:28,387 Speaker 2: next assignmon, how do you assist the threat that they'll bring. 168 00:07:30,107 --> 00:07:32,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, we know that. You know, offensively, if you let 169 00:07:32,547 --> 00:07:34,027 Speaker 3: them run and gun, they're going to put a lot 170 00:07:34,067 --> 00:07:36,147 Speaker 3: of points on the board. We saw that throughout the 171 00:07:36,147 --> 00:07:38,787 Speaker 3: preseason and you see that in the roster. You know, 172 00:07:38,827 --> 00:07:40,227 Speaker 3: they've got a lot of guys who like to just 173 00:07:40,307 --> 00:07:42,427 Speaker 3: go and and if you let them do it, they'll 174 00:07:42,467 --> 00:07:44,547 Speaker 3: do it for forty minutes and they'll gladly put on 175 00:07:44,547 --> 00:07:47,027 Speaker 3: one hundred and twenty. So you know, we've got to 176 00:07:47,027 --> 00:07:48,867 Speaker 3: contain them tonight. We've got to be really good in 177 00:07:48,907 --> 00:07:51,067 Speaker 3: that in that area. But you know we've also got 178 00:07:51,107 --> 00:07:52,987 Speaker 3: to put the pressure on them when they're on defense 179 00:07:53,027 --> 00:07:55,147 Speaker 3: as well, and and put you know, put some scoreboard 180 00:07:55,147 --> 00:07:55,907 Speaker 3: pressure on and. 181 00:07:55,827 --> 00:07:57,667 Speaker 2: How much you're looking forward to I mean, you've been 182 00:07:57,707 --> 00:07:59,947 Speaker 2: you've played at Spark a lot, but not as a 183 00:08:00,267 --> 00:08:01,907 Speaker 2: not as a home player. How much you're looking forward 184 00:08:01,907 --> 00:08:02,107 Speaker 2: to that. 185 00:08:03,587 --> 00:08:06,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a very different look. I think I still 186 00:08:06,667 --> 00:08:08,347 Speaker 3: haven't been in there, you know, even for a shoot round. 187 00:08:08,467 --> 00:08:10,827 Speaker 3: So it'll be cool checking it out and seeing it 188 00:08:10,827 --> 00:08:13,667 Speaker 3: from a different view. I said earlier this morning as well, 189 00:08:13,747 --> 00:08:15,867 Speaker 3: that you know, I went to a concert there, so 190 00:08:15,907 --> 00:08:17,587 Speaker 3: I got to sit in the crowd and see that. 191 00:08:17,587 --> 00:08:19,147 Speaker 3: That was different, you know. I was just like, oh, 192 00:08:19,147 --> 00:08:20,947 Speaker 3: this is weird, Like it doesn't look like this when 193 00:08:20,947 --> 00:08:23,787 Speaker 3: I'm out there for basketball. So now I'm excited and 194 00:08:23,867 --> 00:08:25,507 Speaker 3: we'll have the home crowd behind us, I'm sure. 195 00:08:25,667 --> 00:08:29,147 Speaker 2: Yeah, good stuff. And just to finish, what what does 196 00:08:29,507 --> 00:08:32,427 Speaker 2: success look like for the Breakers this season? Is as 197 00:08:32,427 --> 00:08:34,827 Speaker 2: simple as just trying to make the playoffs and then 198 00:08:34,867 --> 00:08:35,387 Speaker 2: go from there. 199 00:08:37,107 --> 00:08:40,427 Speaker 3: Well, I think it's cliche to say win the championship, 200 00:08:40,427 --> 00:08:43,267 Speaker 3: you know, obviously, but that's everyone's goal, right and I think, 201 00:08:43,307 --> 00:08:45,187 Speaker 3: you know, we're just taking out what game by game. 202 00:08:46,507 --> 00:08:48,627 Speaker 3: You know, everyone's going to have their opinions about where 203 00:08:48,627 --> 00:08:50,587 Speaker 3: we sit in terms of talent in our roster, but 204 00:08:50,667 --> 00:08:53,627 Speaker 3: we showed even throughout the preseason that we're in basically 205 00:08:53,667 --> 00:08:56,907 Speaker 3: every game throughout the Blitz and then in Brisbane, sorry 206 00:08:56,907 --> 00:08:59,067 Speaker 3: against Brisbane in Perth. You know, we're in every single 207 00:08:59,107 --> 00:09:01,427 Speaker 3: game and then we let ourselves down, you know, later 208 00:09:01,467 --> 00:09:04,787 Speaker 3: towards the game, which is a controllable thing. So expectations 209 00:09:04,787 --> 00:09:07,507 Speaker 3: for us is to win every single game play and 210 00:09:07,627 --> 00:09:09,467 Speaker 3: you know, I don't think there'll be any adjustment on 211 00:09:09,507 --> 00:09:11,867 Speaker 3: that regardless of what our record is. We'll go into 212 00:09:11,907 --> 00:09:14,027 Speaker 3: the next game thinking, all right, if we execute our 213 00:09:14,027 --> 00:09:16,187 Speaker 3: game plan, we will win. Just have to make enough shot. 214 00:09:16,347 --> 00:09:19,987 Speaker 3: So yeah, and until that changes, which I don't think 215 00:09:19,987 --> 00:09:20,267 Speaker 3: it will. 216 00:09:20,307 --> 00:09:23,107 Speaker 2: That's for gods great to have you in our Breakers. 217 00:09:23,267 --> 00:09:24,827 Speaker 2: Single it Mitch. Thanks for taking the time for a 218 00:09:24,867 --> 00:09:27,427 Speaker 2: chat today. All the best tonight, Thanks so much, Thank you, Mitch, 219 00:09:27,467 --> 00:09:30,227 Speaker 2: Mitch McCarran. There. From the Breakers, they take on the 220 00:09:30,267 --> 00:09:33,387 Speaker 2: Southeast Melbourne Phoenix Tonight's Park Arena seven point thirty is 221 00:09:33,467 --> 00:09:36,347 Speaker 2: tip off after the ninety one eighty seven win last week. 222 00:09:36,507 --> 00:09:38,987 Speaker 2: Following this, the Breakers are off to the United States 223 00:09:39,027 --> 00:09:42,507 Speaker 2: where they'll take on the Utah Jazz, the Philadelphia seventy 224 00:09:42,587 --> 00:09:46,907 Speaker 2: six is and the OKAC Thunder. So nice little, nice 225 00:09:46,947 --> 00:09:49,867 Speaker 2: little diversion from the Australian National Basketball League for them 226 00:09:50,067 --> 00:09:53,907 Speaker 2: three games against NBA sides in early October and then 227 00:09:53,987 --> 00:09:58,547 Speaker 2: back for the resumption of the Australian National Basketball League season. 228 00:09:59,227 --> 00:10:02,427 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 229 00:10:02,507 --> 00:10:05,787 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday or follow 230 00:10:05,827 --> 00:10:07,427 Speaker 1: the podcast. I was done. I heard radio