Soaring Manawatū Jets enjoying life in the hoops fast lane

Manawatū Jets coach Tim McTamney is in rare air as he contemplates a Sal’s NBL Showdown grand final against the Otago Nuggets on Saturday night. As indeed are the fans of the Palmerston North hoops franchise.

Last year the Jets tailed out last in the NBL, and it’s a state of affairs they’ve become a bit used to as they’ve struggled to match the deeper pockets and greater resources of clubs such as the Wellington Saints, the Southland Sharks and one or two others.

But this year things have been different, thanks to the global pandemic that is wreaking havoc on the world. Covid-19 forced NBL GM Justin Nelson to tear up the script and rethink the league for 2020. The upshot was a draft to disperse talent and all players being paid at a set rate via HQ.

The rich became poorer, and the poor richer in this equal-opportunity league of Nelson’s, with Manawatū and Otago emerging as the two best teams in the competition to rightfully meet in Saturday’s final. Notably the Saints and Sharks were among a trio of established clubs who opted out this year.

Go to https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300071485/sals-nbl-showdown-soaring-manawatu-jets-enjoying-life-in-the-hoops-fast-lane to read more.