NZL - Bradshaw the beast

DUNEDIN (FIBA World Championship) - After a less than ideal build-up, the NZ Tall Blacks needed a little magic from their emerging superstar - centre Craig Bradshaw - to finally dispense of a pesky Qatar team 94-77 in their Jeep International Series opener in Dunedin.
On a turbulent day that saw veteran point guard Mark Dickel suspended two games by Basketball New Zealand for a positive drugs test (cannabis), his team-mates somehow had to regroup for their opening encounter against virtually unknown opponents.

"This is a pretty professional group," observed coach Tab Baldwin. "They came to grips with all that and got on with the job.

"It was just a blip on the radar. No-one likes it, but you put it aside and go play basketball."

The Tall Blacks responded in fine style for about two-and-a-half quarters, running up a 31-point lead before falling away badly in the opening minutes of the final period. The Qataris closed with eight points before Bradshaw emerged off the bench, where he had been resting, to spark a revival that realized the final 10 points of the game to blow the score out once more.

After Baldwin had called a timeout to steady his troops, Bradshaw galvanized the defence with a spectacular blocked shot that triggered the closing run.

"We've spent a lot of this year's campaign talking about Craig and he's deserved every plaudit thrown his way," said Baldwin. "In recent years, there may have been a few concerns about his toughness, but I think he has put those to rest."

Dickel was an obvious scratching. Baldwin decided to rest rookie Jeremiah Trueman and gave Mika Vukona a last chance to claim a berth for the upcoming FIBA World Championships.

In the final analysis, Vukona never entered the fray.

The home team got off to a shaky start as Phill Jones tossed an air ball from long distance with his opening attempt. He was on target with his second look, though, and when he and Kirk Penney converted three-point plays, the Kiwis were off and running.

Penney was quickly into his stride, building on his South American form with another three-point play and a trey as New Zealand extended out to an early double-figure lead (21-11).

But Qatar were not going to simply capitulate as forward Daoud Daoud showed himself to be an impressive athlete and the visitors also proved useful from the arc. When Khaled Suleyman hit a trey, they were only two adrift (24-26), but a Dillon Boucher steal and three-point play helped the Tall Blacks back out to a 33-28 advantage by the end of the initial period.

Baldwin did not approve of the high-scoring nature of the game, a pace that would see both teams well over 100 points over the full duration of the contest. Qatar had shot 70.6% FG (12/17) and 4/6 3pt, but had lost the ball over six times, gifting their opponents and 11-2 return from points off turnovers.

"We executed pretty well offensively early, but defensively, we were non-existent," confirmed Baldwin.

Captain Pero Cameron put on a shooting display midway through the second period, netting three successive three-pointers to carry his team back into a double-figure advantage and by halftime, the Kiwis were 59-42 up. They had succeeded in putting the stops on the Qataris, forcing seven more turnovers and limiting them to just 14 points (33.3% FG) over the second quarter.

Meantime, New Zealand were still maintaining their own scoring pace - Penney and Cameron both at 11 points, while Boucher - the master thief - already had four steals and nine points (4/5 FG, 1/1 FT) to his rap sheet.

At the break, Daoud led all scorers with 15 points (5/7 FG, 2/3 3pt, 3/4 FT).

Jones took the difference to 20 points from the charity stripe soon after the restart, part of a 17-3 run that also took them past the 30-point margin. But to their credit, the Qataris still did not roll over.

As Baldwin finally went to his bench, the Tall Blacks faltered, allowing their guests a 13-0 streak to slash the difference. They rolled out another 10 straight points to start the final quarter and suddenly the Kiwis were just eight points clear with under five minutes remaining.

With Dickel out of commission, the Kiwis seemed to struggle particularly when starting point guard Paul Henare sat.

"We got a big lead and went stagnant," said Baldwin. "Up 20, we wanted to try a few things and momentum got away from us.

"We rolled out a couple of new defences in this game and were exposed in that regard. It was good for us ... it highlighted where we are weak and what we have to work on."

"Credit to Qatar ... they put us under some acid. A lot of teams, especially after the trip they've had and on foreign soil, will throw in the towel, but they didn't."

As the margin steadily evaporated, Baldwin finally went back to his starters to finish the matter.

"When you're in that situation, you go to the guys who can get it done."

Bradshaw has clearly become one of those guys.

Qatar coach Joe Stiebing was reasonably satisfied with the result, despite losing Daoud to a calf injury in the third quarter.

"One thing I wanted us to do was come out and compete," he said. "Even down by 30, we continued to battle and fight.

"Defensively, I thought we made some adjustments to counter their offence.

"They did a great job offensively. That first half was the most points we have given up in a half in my four years with the team.

"I had heard a lot of good things about Coach Baldwin's offences, but this was the first time I had seen them first hand. I was very impressed."

Bradshaw finished with a "double double" of 19 points (7/9 FG, 5/9 FT) and 12 rebounds, adding three blocks, three assists and two steals in a balanced performance. Penney had 17 points, but shot atrociously from the arc (1/12 3pt).

For Qatar, Saad Ali also scored 19 points (6/20 FG, 3/13 3pt, 4/4 FT), while Erfan Saeed matched Bradshaw's "double double" with 15 points/10 rebounds.

Baldwin anticipates another tough encounter in Invercargill on Sunday.

"Having just got back from South America, we know how it is to travel ... it takes a while to get your legs under you. They will be a little more comfortable.

"But I expect a 40-minute performance from the Tall Blacks and that was a big disappointment tonight. Irrespective of the reasons why, it's unacceptable."

Basketball New Zealand