American forward Shawn Long has had to take leave from the NZ Breakers, as they prepare for their daunting pre-season clash with the NBA's Phoenix Suns next Thursday (NZ time).
Long, who has logged legitimate minutes on basketball's glamour stage, was missing from team practice on Thursday, after returning home to deal with "family issues". At this stage, he's expected to rejoin the team in time for the Phoenix outing.
The 2.06m forward, who will likely play at centre in an up-tempo Breakers system, joined the Auckland-based Aussie NBL franchise earlier this month, replacing countryman Jerrelle Benimon on the roster.
Long played his college basketball at University of Louisiana-Lafayette and played 18 games for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2017, averaging 8.2 points and 4.5 rebounds.
"He should be there in Phoenix," assured Breakers coach Kevin Braswell. "We just need to give him as much time as he needs."
Hampered by injuries and the late arrival of players from around the globe, Braswell has had his full squad together for just one training this pre-season, not ideal preparation for such a daunting challenge.
"We trained yesterday as a full squad and finally had the group together," he said. "The intensity was really good.
"We just wait to have the full squad together for a couple of days at least. It sets us back definitely, but I'm one that doesn't make too many excuses - we've still got 10 other guys here.
"We aren't where we want to be on certain ends of the floor - defensively the most - but that comes with playing together and building chemistry with each other. I'm sure that will come, but it may just take a little bit longer."
Braswell insisted Long was set to train before flying out, but common sense prevailed and he was allowed to leave early. He didn't rule out bringing in a temporary replacement, if Long wasn't able to return for the Phoenix game.
"It's short timing for us, but knowing Shawn, he'll be wanting to get out there, so I'm sure he'll play."
Next week's encounter marks the first time the Breakers have taken part in the NBL-NBA exchange.
While the Suns finished with the NBA's worst record last season (21-61) and will be without star guard Devin Booker (injured), they will be test-driving their number one draft pick, centre Deandre Ayton for the very first time.
Braswell claimed his team weren't getting too excited over the prospect of strutting their stuff in such a high-profile game.
"I haven't seen it yet," he said. "We speak about it on a smaller scale.
"We are playing the Phoenix Suns, we are playing an NBA game, but at the same time, our focus is to make sure we're building and getting better.
"Phoenix will test us on a lot of things we're trying to cover, so that's what we're focusing on, more than the Phoenix Suns.
"Once we get there and we're training on their floor, I'm sure the excitement will be there."
First and foremost, though, Braswell wanted his players to have fun.
"On that level, you're playing against the best players in the world, so it's going to be a fun game for us.
"But what I'm trying to get out of it is just to get better defensively."
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