Former New Zealand Breakers coach Dean Vickerman returns to face his old club

  • 20/10/2016
Dean Vickerman
Dean Vickerman

Sydney Kings Assistant Coach Dean Vickerman is back in New Zealand to go againsthis former side the New Zealand Breakers at the North Shore Events Centre tonight.

Vickerman was part of all four National Basketball League titles for the Breakers, three as an assistant coach and one as head coach and it feels different to be back not with the Breakers,

"I was here for nine years and we had such a great run," said Vickerman.

"It's a special club; the highlight of my career was winning the title because of the way we won it."

It's going to be an even bigger night at NSEC as Breakers captain Mika Vukona will be lacing up his boots for his 300th match for the Breakers.

"It's going to be a great night for Mika's 300th - it's a nice night to be here," said Vickerman.

"I know they will be fired up to get the win."

The Kings have struggled in the last few years, missing the finals in the last three years.

They've made dramatic changes to the squad this season, which included bringing intwo time NBA champion Joe Powell, and Australian international Kevin Lisch.

The Breakers did not have much success putting the shackles on Kevin Lisch lastseason. The league MVP torched them for 27 points a game as his Illawarra Hawkswent for a regular season sweep over the Kiwi club.

With the addition of Lisch, Vickerman has seen an improvement in the defence of the Kings.

"We were the worst defensive team in the league last season and we have gotourselves to a point where we have improved in the area and we are sitting in the same spot asthe Breakers who are very good defensively," said Vickerman.

If the Breakers are to get their second win of the season, they will definitely have to shut down Kevin Lisch.

Click above for the full interview.

Newshub.