1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,627 --> 00:00:15,267 Speaker 2: For the New Zealand Breakers are top of the Australian 4 00:00:15,387 --> 00:00:18,507 Speaker 2: National Basketball League Ladder six wins from their eight games 5 00:00:18,507 --> 00:00:21,987 Speaker 2: so far this season. The latest victory are hugely impressive 6 00:00:21,987 --> 00:00:25,787 Speaker 2: one one hundred and thirteen seventy nine over Melbourne United 7 00:00:25,907 --> 00:00:27,267 Speaker 2: in Melbourne earlier this week. 8 00:00:28,227 --> 00:00:29,027 Speaker 1: It goes in again. 9 00:00:29,187 --> 00:00:32,907 Speaker 2: He's Downtyjerson who delivers. 10 00:00:34,027 --> 00:00:36,907 Speaker 3: But it's back to back statement victories. 11 00:00:36,467 --> 00:00:38,787 Speaker 1: For New Zealand's who take on the. 12 00:00:38,827 --> 00:00:42,187 Speaker 2: Toughest test in the league and for the first time 13 00:00:42,267 --> 00:00:46,547 Speaker 2: in ten to tens they beat Melbourne United in john 14 00:00:46,667 --> 00:00:49,267 Speaker 2: Can Arena. Yeah and it was a massive win. Two 15 00:00:49,387 --> 00:00:52,307 Speaker 2: on Melbourne Cup eve. They next take on the Breakers 16 00:00:52,347 --> 00:00:56,387 Speaker 2: that is the defending champion Tasmania jack Jumpers that is 17 00:00:56,427 --> 00:00:59,347 Speaker 2: away tonight. They'm a judaheely tough start to the season. 18 00:00:59,387 --> 00:01:02,347 Speaker 2: Actually the jack Jumper is their bottom with just three 19 00:01:02,467 --> 00:01:06,467 Speaker 2: wins from their eleven games so far. Breakers coach pe 20 00:01:06,507 --> 00:01:09,107 Speaker 2: Terry Copenan is with us. Pe Terry, thanks for taking 21 00:01:09,107 --> 00:01:10,507 Speaker 2: the time for a chair to hit of this one. 22 00:01:10,987 --> 00:01:13,427 Speaker 2: Let's look back to Monday night's performance. What pleased you 23 00:01:13,467 --> 00:01:16,627 Speaker 2: the most about the big win over Melbourne United. 24 00:01:17,907 --> 00:01:20,667 Speaker 3: Well, I think it's just overall we start to see 25 00:01:21,747 --> 00:01:24,547 Speaker 3: how we improve as a team. The guys are getting 26 00:01:24,587 --> 00:01:28,787 Speaker 3: to know how to play with each other. And not 27 00:01:28,827 --> 00:01:32,027 Speaker 3: only the Melbourne win, but the win also against Sydney Away, 28 00:01:32,747 --> 00:01:36,147 Speaker 3: how we played against Adelaide. We have really, let's say, 29 00:01:36,147 --> 00:01:40,267 Speaker 3: impressive one week of basketball. And now you know, we 30 00:01:40,427 --> 00:01:43,427 Speaker 3: just keep going focus and you know, we have to 31 00:01:43,507 --> 00:01:45,787 Speaker 3: still stay hungry and this is the challenge. 32 00:01:45,827 --> 00:01:45,987 Speaker 1: Now. 33 00:01:46,027 --> 00:01:48,987 Speaker 3: You know, Okay, we got some win wins early on, 34 00:01:49,267 --> 00:01:52,027 Speaker 3: we're playing playing well, but you know it's still early 35 00:01:52,387 --> 00:01:54,827 Speaker 3: early in the season, and we have to stay hungry, 36 00:01:54,947 --> 00:01:57,227 Speaker 3: have the same mentality and go out there and compete 37 00:01:57,227 --> 00:02:00,747 Speaker 3: every every game. And now, like you said, we play 38 00:02:00,747 --> 00:02:03,667 Speaker 3: against Tasmania next game. It's going to be a great, 39 00:02:04,027 --> 00:02:07,427 Speaker 3: great challenge for us. And so far they haven't played 40 00:02:07,987 --> 00:02:10,347 Speaker 3: that well, but they got that potential and they are, 41 00:02:10,547 --> 00:02:12,707 Speaker 3: you know, one of the best defensive team in the league, 42 00:02:12,787 --> 00:02:13,827 Speaker 3: and we have to be ready. 43 00:02:14,387 --> 00:02:16,547 Speaker 2: So those three ones you've just talked about came off 44 00:02:16,587 --> 00:02:19,827 Speaker 2: the back of a home defeat by Southeast Melbourne Phoenix 45 00:02:19,827 --> 00:02:23,587 Speaker 2: eighty eight sixty two. I remember watching your media conference 46 00:02:23,627 --> 00:02:27,987 Speaker 2: afterwards and you were hugely disappointed after that game. Was 47 00:02:28,027 --> 00:02:31,227 Speaker 2: that in some way a turning point for your side though? 48 00:02:32,787 --> 00:02:36,147 Speaker 3: I think the guys kind of realized, like we don't 49 00:02:36,187 --> 00:02:39,987 Speaker 3: have that luxury to come out flat and play. How 50 00:02:40,027 --> 00:02:44,587 Speaker 3: we played against the Southeast in christ Church and something 51 00:02:44,667 --> 00:02:50,467 Speaker 3: really really clicked when we went to Sydney and everything 52 00:02:50,507 --> 00:02:54,067 Speaker 3: started with that one on one responsibility. The guys really 53 00:02:54,107 --> 00:02:59,227 Speaker 3: wanted to compete wind those fifty to fifty situations defensively 54 00:02:59,267 --> 00:03:02,827 Speaker 3: and then when we get some stuffs when rebounds, we 55 00:03:02,867 --> 00:03:08,387 Speaker 3: always have opportunity to run and find solution. And like 56 00:03:08,467 --> 00:03:11,827 Speaker 3: you said, I think it's just something. Of course, the 57 00:03:11,947 --> 00:03:15,747 Speaker 3: Southeast game was also we were missing our three three guys. 58 00:03:15,787 --> 00:03:19,227 Speaker 3: We were still looking how who is the guy maybe 59 00:03:19,427 --> 00:03:23,107 Speaker 3: who can I you know, produce something? And we after 60 00:03:23,187 --> 00:03:27,787 Speaker 3: that game Sean Berstel and Kriein Lopez really really gave us, 61 00:03:27,867 --> 00:03:31,147 Speaker 3: you know, big boosts. Both of them been playing really 62 00:03:31,187 --> 00:03:36,387 Speaker 3: really well, and you know Parker and Mooney, Johonnah Bolding Salmoning. 63 00:03:36,507 --> 00:03:39,307 Speaker 3: I can say all of out our eight nine guys 64 00:03:39,347 --> 00:03:42,867 Speaker 3: you know, being really really playing well last last games, 65 00:03:42,867 --> 00:03:44,667 Speaker 3: and I hope we can continue. 66 00:03:44,227 --> 00:03:47,787 Speaker 2: This the one hundred and thirteen you scored against Melbourne 67 00:03:47,827 --> 00:03:50,187 Speaker 2: United was a season high for you. But do you 68 00:03:50,267 --> 00:03:54,107 Speaker 2: take as much satisfaction from keeping Melbourne United to just 69 00:03:54,467 --> 00:03:56,667 Speaker 2: seventy nine points? 70 00:03:57,067 --> 00:03:59,787 Speaker 3: Well, of course, I think in basketball it goes both ways. 71 00:03:59,867 --> 00:04:04,027 Speaker 3: You know, you get some stops, it makes your job 72 00:04:04,067 --> 00:04:06,787 Speaker 3: also easier in the offense even you can you know, 73 00:04:06,947 --> 00:04:11,107 Speaker 3: run after those rebounds or steals and then you can 74 00:04:11,147 --> 00:04:14,747 Speaker 3: find some easy, easy baskets and boosts the moral and 75 00:04:14,787 --> 00:04:17,267 Speaker 3: the confidence of the team. And if you always have 76 00:04:17,307 --> 00:04:20,307 Speaker 3: to take the ball out of then it's much much harder. 77 00:04:20,347 --> 00:04:24,467 Speaker 3: And overall in that game, we were really really good 78 00:04:24,547 --> 00:04:28,187 Speaker 3: both ends of the floor and then focused and play 79 00:04:28,307 --> 00:04:31,507 Speaker 3: played really well all forty minutes and that's the way 80 00:04:31,547 --> 00:04:34,027 Speaker 3: to go. But like I said, everything for me started 81 00:04:34,107 --> 00:04:40,307 Speaker 3: in Sydney. For I think with the two huge steps there, we, 82 00:04:40,667 --> 00:04:43,667 Speaker 3: like I said, we want the one on one situations 83 00:04:43,707 --> 00:04:46,267 Speaker 3: and then that gave us the chance to win win 84 00:04:46,347 --> 00:04:48,507 Speaker 3: that game and at the same time gave us a 85 00:04:48,867 --> 00:04:49,987 Speaker 3: huge confidence boost. 86 00:04:50,507 --> 00:04:53,867 Speaker 2: You mentioned a number of your roster, but I just 87 00:04:53,907 --> 00:04:57,267 Speaker 2: want to ask about Parker Jackson cart right. Can you 88 00:04:57,347 --> 00:04:59,907 Speaker 2: talk a bit about his influence on this team. 89 00:05:01,147 --> 00:05:04,547 Speaker 3: Well, he's our you know, leader with the for me 90 00:05:04,787 --> 00:05:07,867 Speaker 3: best player brought in the in the league and his 91 00:05:07,987 --> 00:05:11,427 Speaker 3: special kind of player with how he used his speed 92 00:05:11,547 --> 00:05:14,987 Speaker 3: and that that was kind of how how I see 93 00:05:15,027 --> 00:05:19,187 Speaker 3: also our team how we want to play to to 94 00:05:19,187 --> 00:05:21,907 Speaker 3: to use him and give him the space, and everybody 95 00:05:21,947 --> 00:05:24,027 Speaker 3: else have to have to be ready. And I think 96 00:05:24,507 --> 00:05:28,627 Speaker 3: Parker is also improving now after these eight games, to 97 00:05:28,707 --> 00:05:31,827 Speaker 3: pick his spots, finding his teammates, and we have our 98 00:05:32,387 --> 00:05:34,467 Speaker 3: our system how we want to play, and the guys 99 00:05:34,467 --> 00:05:38,427 Speaker 3: are really picking it up, you know, both defensively offensively 100 00:05:38,907 --> 00:05:43,147 Speaker 3: getting on the same page and and and Melbourne everything 101 00:05:43,787 --> 00:05:48,427 Speaker 3: offensively we were really good. Okay, we still had seventeen turnovers, 102 00:05:48,187 --> 00:05:51,707 Speaker 3: it's too much, but almost every other possession when we 103 00:05:51,787 --> 00:05:54,827 Speaker 3: didn't turn the ball over, we had high quality shots 104 00:05:54,867 --> 00:05:58,187 Speaker 3: and the guys were playing with confidence, ready to make plays. 105 00:05:58,187 --> 00:06:00,387 Speaker 3: But everything starts with Parker, you know, he set the 106 00:06:00,427 --> 00:06:03,467 Speaker 3: tone and he gets to those spots and either his 107 00:06:03,587 --> 00:06:07,227 Speaker 3: course or he finds his teammates and negret It creates 108 00:06:07,267 --> 00:06:08,707 Speaker 3: those advantages. 109 00:06:09,147 --> 00:06:11,947 Speaker 2: You've mentioned the challenging start of the season for Tasmania. 110 00:06:12,827 --> 00:06:16,587 Speaker 2: Are you still expecting a pretty stuff challenge from them? 111 00:06:16,627 --> 00:06:21,427 Speaker 3: Though, of course you know they are many they lost 112 00:06:21,427 --> 00:06:23,747 Speaker 3: many games, you know, they were tight, tight games, and 113 00:06:24,067 --> 00:06:27,827 Speaker 3: yesterday also against Berth, it was very very tight game. 114 00:06:28,347 --> 00:06:30,307 Speaker 3: What they you know, lost in in the end. But 115 00:06:30,387 --> 00:06:34,627 Speaker 3: you know the team they have, you know, been been together. 116 00:06:34,747 --> 00:06:37,827 Speaker 3: They are really well coached. Also they got you know, uh, 117 00:06:39,067 --> 00:06:42,027 Speaker 3: like I said, one of the best defensive teams in 118 00:06:42,067 --> 00:06:46,307 Speaker 3: the league, and that gives them always option to be competitive. 119 00:06:46,387 --> 00:06:48,947 Speaker 3: They had some of their problems in an offensive ent, 120 00:06:48,987 --> 00:06:51,667 Speaker 3: but last game they were shooting the ball already much 121 00:06:51,707 --> 00:06:54,547 Speaker 3: better and very dangerous team. And they play at home, 122 00:06:54,627 --> 00:06:58,147 Speaker 3: they are always always dangerous and like I said, it's 123 00:06:58,227 --> 00:07:01,547 Speaker 3: gonna be another another great forty minute fight if you 124 00:07:01,627 --> 00:07:05,067 Speaker 3: want to take that win. And then we can't expect 125 00:07:05,507 --> 00:07:09,187 Speaker 3: nothing that comes easy to us. We have to earn 126 00:07:09,227 --> 00:07:12,187 Speaker 3: everything and go with that right mentality and ready to 127 00:07:12,227 --> 00:07:13,987 Speaker 3: work and earn everything. 128 00:07:14,467 --> 00:07:16,747 Speaker 2: I'm having a look at your schedule, and after Tasmania, 129 00:07:16,787 --> 00:07:20,027 Speaker 2: you've got three more away games before you even get 130 00:07:20,027 --> 00:07:22,107 Speaker 2: back to Spark Arena, by which time you wouldn't have 131 00:07:22,107 --> 00:07:24,867 Speaker 2: played at home for a month, then four or five 132 00:07:24,907 --> 00:07:27,587 Speaker 2: games at home, so it's almost a little bit unbalanced. 133 00:07:27,587 --> 00:07:29,747 Speaker 2: Would you prefer it to be a bit more even 134 00:07:29,787 --> 00:07:31,867 Speaker 2: between home and away games? 135 00:07:32,347 --> 00:07:35,067 Speaker 3: Well, of course, of course it's you know, the schedule, 136 00:07:35,627 --> 00:07:37,827 Speaker 3: it's what it is. You know, we can't change that now, 137 00:07:37,867 --> 00:07:42,067 Speaker 3: and it's it is. But of course overall during the 138 00:07:42,107 --> 00:07:45,107 Speaker 3: season we love playing in Spark Arena, but now we 139 00:07:45,227 --> 00:07:48,547 Speaker 3: got also home games away from a Spark. I think 140 00:07:48,587 --> 00:07:52,107 Speaker 3: the next home game in Spark we played twentieth of December. 141 00:07:52,227 --> 00:07:55,107 Speaker 3: It's I think it's it's a long long time we 142 00:07:55,147 --> 00:07:59,667 Speaker 3: don't play there. And this also something as coaches and 143 00:07:59,707 --> 00:08:01,987 Speaker 3: the staff to try to think how we can keep 144 00:08:01,987 --> 00:08:05,707 Speaker 3: our guys also fresh mentally, you know, all this traveling, 145 00:08:05,787 --> 00:08:08,747 Speaker 3: and that's also one aspect we try to try to manage. 146 00:08:08,787 --> 00:08:11,107 Speaker 3: But you know, at the same time, like I said, 147 00:08:11,147 --> 00:08:13,587 Speaker 3: the schedule is what it is, and now we just 148 00:08:13,627 --> 00:08:16,307 Speaker 3: have to go game by game, try to do our 149 00:08:16,387 --> 00:08:19,507 Speaker 3: work daily, practice well and prepare for those games. And 150 00:08:21,067 --> 00:08:23,947 Speaker 3: you know, we showed ourselves also we can win on 151 00:08:23,987 --> 00:08:27,787 Speaker 3: the road, and it has to be our focus always 152 00:08:27,827 --> 00:08:30,427 Speaker 3: the next game and try to do the things what 153 00:08:31,227 --> 00:08:33,387 Speaker 3: we practice every day the best possible in the game 154 00:08:33,427 --> 00:08:36,027 Speaker 3: and go to compete in the. 155 00:08:36,067 --> 00:08:38,867 Speaker 2: Trip to the United States, when you played three NBA 156 00:08:39,027 --> 00:08:41,667 Speaker 2: sides after you played a couple of games in the 157 00:08:41,667 --> 00:08:45,147 Speaker 2: Australian National Basketball League. Was that trip a good thing 158 00:08:45,267 --> 00:08:45,427 Speaker 2: or not? 159 00:08:47,307 --> 00:08:50,787 Speaker 3: Well, at least everybody was thinking like after when we 160 00:08:50,827 --> 00:08:53,667 Speaker 3: come back from that trip, we will be you know, tired, 161 00:08:53,987 --> 00:08:57,747 Speaker 3: and definitely the guys didn't feel perfect. But at the 162 00:08:57,747 --> 00:09:01,587 Speaker 3: same time, I think the trip kind of make our group. 163 00:09:02,907 --> 00:09:05,747 Speaker 3: I don't know if the right world is special, but 164 00:09:05,787 --> 00:09:08,347 Speaker 3: you know, you can see the guys are really enjoying 165 00:09:08,347 --> 00:09:11,187 Speaker 3: spending time together on and off the court, and that's 166 00:09:11,267 --> 00:09:15,027 Speaker 3: also really important aspect. And you never know when you 167 00:09:15,067 --> 00:09:17,147 Speaker 3: put new team together, how the guys, you know, how 168 00:09:17,467 --> 00:09:20,187 Speaker 3: is the group gonna come together? And I think that 169 00:09:20,187 --> 00:09:24,867 Speaker 3: that is the big biggest I think take away from 170 00:09:24,867 --> 00:09:30,427 Speaker 3: that trip. How the guys spent time there three weeks together, 171 00:09:31,307 --> 00:09:33,347 Speaker 3: was forced to do things together and we kind of 172 00:09:33,387 --> 00:09:37,547 Speaker 3: grow grew as a team. And maybe that's also, you know, 173 00:09:37,587 --> 00:09:41,267 Speaker 3: the biggest thing what we can take from that trip. 174 00:09:41,307 --> 00:09:44,227 Speaker 3: And of course it's great the experience basketball wise, but 175 00:09:44,387 --> 00:09:46,827 Speaker 3: I think like a team chemistry wise, I think that's 176 00:09:47,067 --> 00:09:47,867 Speaker 3: that's the biggest thing. 177 00:09:48,027 --> 00:09:49,347 Speaker 2: That's a great way of looking at it. Well, you 178 00:09:49,347 --> 00:09:52,347 Speaker 2: can focus fully on the Australian season, nap, but they 179 00:09:52,387 --> 00:09:53,827 Speaker 2: thank you for taking the time for a chat all 180 00:09:53,867 --> 00:09:55,067 Speaker 2: the based against Tasmania. 181 00:09:55,867 --> 00:09:56,907 Speaker 3: Thank you. I appreciate it. 182 00:09:57,227 --> 00:09:59,067 Speaker 2: No, I appreciate you taking the corp Terry. But Terry 183 00:09:59,067 --> 00:10:03,387 Speaker 2: copenhanm there the head coach, former Finland international basketball a 184 00:10:03,467 --> 00:10:05,667 Speaker 2: good basketballer too. I was actually even look at some 185 00:10:05,707 --> 00:10:07,907 Speaker 2: of the footage yesterday on YouTube. He was a player 186 00:10:07,947 --> 00:10:11,427 Speaker 2: man and he's clearly got something in the coaching side 187 00:10:11,467 --> 00:10:14,707 Speaker 2: of things as well, coaching the Breakers to currently top 188 00:10:14,747 --> 00:10:19,627 Speaker 2: spot on the ANBL ladder. So Tasmania tonight that is 189 00:10:19,867 --> 00:10:23,227 Speaker 2: seven thirty New Zealand time. Their next Saturday. Ken's away 190 00:10:24,027 --> 00:10:27,707 Speaker 2: the following Thursday. In fact, two thursdays after that, Illawarra away, 191 00:10:27,947 --> 00:10:32,867 Speaker 2: so that's November. December is so packed. They've got one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, 192 00:10:32,947 --> 00:10:36,867 Speaker 2: eight games in December, including one on Christmas Day. But 193 00:10:36,947 --> 00:10:38,907 Speaker 2: they also move around. You heard but Terry say there 194 00:10:38,907 --> 00:10:41,947 Speaker 2: that they're not back at Spark Arena until the twentieth 195 00:10:41,947 --> 00:10:44,467 Speaker 2: that's against the Sydney Kings, but they do have home 196 00:10:44,507 --> 00:10:48,547 Speaker 2: games and other places. They take on Melbourne United in 197 00:10:48,627 --> 00:10:51,347 Speaker 2: christ Church that's on the fifth of December. They've all 198 00:10:51,387 --> 00:10:53,427 Speaker 2: sort of game against the Sydney Kings and Wellington on 199 00:10:53,467 --> 00:10:57,667 Speaker 2: the seventh and they also play at event Finders Stadium 200 00:10:57,947 --> 00:11:01,107 Speaker 2: on the twelfth of December. So they're all over the place, 201 00:11:01,187 --> 00:11:03,707 Speaker 2: but as long as they stay where they are at 202 00:11:03,707 --> 00:11:05,987 Speaker 2: the top of the table then it doesn't probably matter 203 00:11:05,987 --> 00:11:08,907 Speaker 2: where they they're obviously doing something right, So Tasmania, it's 204 00:11:08,947 --> 00:11:12,227 Speaker 2: a night annexed for the New Zealand Breakers. 205 00:11:13,147 --> 00:11:16,347 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 206 00:11:16,427 --> 00:11:19,707 Speaker 1: to news Talks at b weekends from midday, or follow 207 00:11:19,747 --> 00:11:21,387 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.