31/05/2006
News
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Cameron turns down chance to play for Waikato
From: www.stuff.co.nz
View source article here.
By GIFFORD LEE
The Waikato Pistons won't have the services of Pero Cameron in the National Basketball League despite the Tall Black captain ending his tenure in Turkey this week.
The strong run of Banvitspor, Cameron and Kiwi coach Tab Baldwin's side, in the top Turkish league's playoffs was stopped yesterday by first seeded Ulker, who took the best of five series 3-1.
Cameron scored a team high 16 points while fellow Kiwi Paul Henare chimed in with five as Banvitspor lost 86-78.
Two days earlier, Cameron had set up the chance to level the series after he netted 19 points while beating Ulker 96-87.
It was believed Cameron didn't see the point in returning to Hamilton for his planned contract with the Pistons as only five regular season games remained and the playoffs were out of reach. Instead, he would holiday in Europe with his family and rest up for the Tall Blacks before the world championships in Japan in August.
Even if he had wanted to honour the arrangement with the Pistons, Cameron would have had to make a dash to New Zealand before tomorrow night's clash against the Canterbury Rams at Hamilton's YMCA (7.30pm).
National Basketball League rules stipulate players must have appeared in at least five regular season games to be eligible to star in the playoffs. While the semifinals are out of Waikato's reach, it doesn't change the ruling.
"He's out of the question. We've flagged him," Pistons chief executive John Davey said.
He added that Waikato were not out of pocket because of Cameron's no show.
"But we have certainly missed Pero this year. We could have done with him five weeks earlier. This team was initially based around knowing we would get him back in time for a real push at the playoffs.
"We missed his guidance on court."
With thoughts of Cameron's added strengths now futile, the Pistons must step out tomorrow and unshackle the weight of criticism they have worn this week, just to save face.
Waikato are having one of their worst years in NBL history and as the season's end fast approaches it appears the daggers are ready to strike.
However, buoying a side no doubt low on confidence is tomorrow night's rematch against a side that the Pistons literally blew off the court in the final quarter last Saturday in Christchurch.
The Pistons and Rams were tied-up heading into the final stretch. But just when they usually fall over and die, the Pistons posted 15 unanswered points midway through the quarter to put the match beyond doubt.
View source article here.
By GIFFORD LEE
The Waikato Pistons won't have the services of Pero Cameron in the National Basketball League despite the Tall Black captain ending his tenure in Turkey this week.
The strong run of Banvitspor, Cameron and Kiwi coach Tab Baldwin's side, in the top Turkish league's playoffs was stopped yesterday by first seeded Ulker, who took the best of five series 3-1.
Cameron scored a team high 16 points while fellow Kiwi Paul Henare chimed in with five as Banvitspor lost 86-78.
Two days earlier, Cameron had set up the chance to level the series after he netted 19 points while beating Ulker 96-87.
It was believed Cameron didn't see the point in returning to Hamilton for his planned contract with the Pistons as only five regular season games remained and the playoffs were out of reach. Instead, he would holiday in Europe with his family and rest up for the Tall Blacks before the world championships in Japan in August.
Even if he had wanted to honour the arrangement with the Pistons, Cameron would have had to make a dash to New Zealand before tomorrow night's clash against the Canterbury Rams at Hamilton's YMCA (7.30pm).
National Basketball League rules stipulate players must have appeared in at least five regular season games to be eligible to star in the playoffs. While the semifinals are out of Waikato's reach, it doesn't change the ruling.
"He's out of the question. We've flagged him," Pistons chief executive John Davey said.
He added that Waikato were not out of pocket because of Cameron's no show.
"But we have certainly missed Pero this year. We could have done with him five weeks earlier. This team was initially based around knowing we would get him back in time for a real push at the playoffs.
"We missed his guidance on court."
With thoughts of Cameron's added strengths now futile, the Pistons must step out tomorrow and unshackle the weight of criticism they have worn this week, just to save face.
Waikato are having one of their worst years in NBL history and as the season's end fast approaches it appears the daggers are ready to strike.
However, buoying a side no doubt low on confidence is tomorrow night's rematch against a side that the Pistons literally blew off the court in the final quarter last Saturday in Christchurch.
The Pistons and Rams were tied-up heading into the final stretch. But just when they usually fall over and die, the Pistons posted 15 unanswered points midway through the quarter to put the match beyond doubt.
