NBL season awardsÂ
American import
Josh Pace (198-G/F-83, agency:
Interperformances, college:
Syracuse) was named the NBL regular season MVP. Nelson Giants guard
was selected to All-Star Five last year, but this season he was better,
much better. His average stats marked 22.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.3
assists and 1.3 steals per game. A quick guard with an impressive
ability to penetrate and deliver inside was a big problem for all
defences throughout the league this year. Pace worked hard on his
shooting and became a bigger threat from behind the arc this season. Now
he has one more thing to conquer this season as his Nelson Giants take
on the Bay Hawks in the Final.
Josh Pace averaged 28.5 points, 8.5 boards and 5.0 assists against
the Bay Hawks in two winning efforts this season.
Another awards were given out as well. The Rookie of the Year title
went to
Charlie Piho (194-F-85) of the Auckland Stars. Harbour Heat's
John Dorge was named the Best Coach. Veteran
Link Abrams (198-F-73) became Kiwi MVP adding this award to his best
rebounder title. He shared Kiwi MVP award with
Paora Winitana (195-G-76) from the Bay Hawks.
Lindsay Tait (193-G-82), who played a terrific season with the Auckland
Stars was given the Best Kiwi Guard award. Finally the All-Star Five
comprised
Josh Pace,
Lindsay Tait,
Link Abrams,
Oscar Forman (205-G-82) and
Dillon Boucher (196-G-75).
Dominion Finance NBL Award Winners
Most Valuable Player
Josh Pace (Blue Chip Nelson Giants)
Kiwi MVP:
Link Abrams (TET Taranaki Mountain Airs) &
Paora Winitana (Easy LPG Bay Hawks)
Outstanding Guard:
Josh Pace (Blue Chip Nelson Giants)
Outstanding Forward:
Link Abrams (TET Taranaki Mountain Airs)
Outstanding Kiwi Guard:
Lindsay Tait (Youthtown Auckland Stars) & Hayden Allen (Appliance
Shed Harbour Heat)
Outstanding Kiwi Forward:
Link Abrams (TET Taranaki Mountain Airs)
Rookie of the Year:
Charlie Piho (Youthtown Auckland Stars)
Coach of the Year:
John Dorge (Appliance Shed Harbour Heat)
All-Star Five
Josh Pace (Blue Chip Nelson Giants)
Lindsay Tait (Youthtown Auckland Stars)
Link Abrams (TET Taranaki Mountain Airs)
Dillon Boucher (Youthtown Auckland Stars)
Oscar Forman (Appliance Shed Harbour Heat).
Nelson Giants are new NBL champions!
Nelson
Giants - Bay Hawks 96:83
Nelson Giants had no curses flying over the home court today
as they completed the NBL Final series in Game 2 at the Trafalgar
Centre. The Giants dominated the game right from the start taking
control of the scoreline in the opening frame 25:23. Clifton Bush picked
up 3 fouls early in the game and had to be substituted. Michael Fitchett
knocked down 4 out of 8 three-point attempts to spur Nelson. The hosts
built a comfprtable lead at halftime 52:44.
Paora Winitana (195-G-76) tried to fight back in the third frame but
with little use. Nelson continued to deliver easy baskets and the Bay
Hawks suffered from inaccuracy. The home side entered the final frame
leading 72:63.
Jamil Terrell (203-F/C-80, college:
W.Texas A&M) then converted a pair of long jumpers to put the Bay
Hawks on the brink of loss with 78:65 midway through the fourth quarter.
Veteran
Ed Book (210-C-70, college:
Canisius) later hit a three-pointer of his own to set the crowd
celebrating the title.
Josh Pace (198-G/F-83, agency:
Interperformances, college:
Syracuse) was a usual contributor for Nelson as he topscored with 25
points. Mike Vukona secured 19 points and 10 rebounds, while
Jamil Terrell and
Ed Book nailed 14 points apiece.
Paora Winitana replied with 24 points for the Bay Hawks. Everard
Bartlett had 20 points and
Kareem Johnson (205-C-80, college:
Cincinnati) notched 15 as the Bay Hawks had to surrender their
champions title. This game was the last one for
Ed Book, who decided to retire from basketball after the season.
Nelson:
Josh Pace 25,
Mika Vukona (197-F-82) 19,
Mike Fitchett (183-G-82) 16,
Jamil Terrell 14,
Ed Book 14
Bay Hawks:
Paora Winitana 24, Everard Bartlett 20,
Kareem Johnson 15, Arthur Trousdell 13.
Nelson Giants won NBL 2007
