New Zealand Breakers coach criticises first-half display

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 17:22 · Archive

New Zealand Breakers coach Gordie Herbert criticised his team's performance as they lost 108-101 to Adelaide 36ers.

New Zealand Breakers coach Gordie Herbert criticised his team's performance after they lost 108-101 to the Adelaide 36ers in an NBL match at Auckland's Spark Arena on Friday night, dropping to second-last on the ladder.

Herbert, 67, said he had never witnessed such a poor opening two quarters in his international coaching career, which spans more than three decades and includes World Cup gold for Germany in 2023 and national titles in multiple European leagues. He described the Breakers' first half as 'absolutely pathetic' and 'ridiculous', saying his team showed 'no fight, no will, no energy, no togetherness'.

The Breakers trailed 56-44 at half-time. Herbert benched players Mojave King and Reuben Te Rangi for the entire second half in response. The team rallied after the interval, dominating the third quarter and leading several times in a tightly contested final term, but ultimately ran out of energy to complete the comeback.

How it is being reported

• NZ's NBL coach channels Blight in 'pathetic' sprayGordie Herbert has coached all around the globe since the mid-90s, but he's never seen a performance as "pathetic" as the New Zealand Breakers'Perth Now · 30 Oct, 16:37
• NZ's NBL coach channels Blight in 'pathetic' sprayGordie Herbert has coached all around the globe since the mid-90s, but he's never seen a performance as "pathetic" as the New Zealand Breakers'The West Australian · 30 Oct, 16:37

In this story: Gordie Herbert · New Zealand Breakers · Adelaide 36ers · Auckland · Mojave King · Reuben Te Rangi

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