This offseason has been particularly hectic for the NZ Breakers, but with two weeks until their opening australian NBL match, they're keen to finally start focusing on basketball.
"We had a lot of setbacks in this pre-season and it's shorter than I would say a team needs," says head of basketball Dan Shamir.
The arrival of players from around the world, injuries and an offer trying to lure star shooter Corey Webster from the club have been disruptive.
"[It was a] very simple 'no' from the very beginning," says Shamir. "We need him and he's been great - he's been playing well and practicing well."
Says Webster: "[I've] just got to stay professional. Sometimes things don't work out the way you want them to, but I'm still here still playing basketball."
The club's hoping those issues are now put to bed, including media reports from across the Tasman that major American signing RJ Hampton could leave the side early to prepare for next year's NBA draft.
"This is the first time I've heard about that and you've got nothing to worry about," Shamir said. "RJ will play a full season at the New Zealand Breakers."
And Hampton confirms: "My plan has always been a full season here.
"My guy has control of everything, but my plan is always to play a full season."
With games against Memphis Grizzlies, and Steven Adams and the Oklahoma City Thunder looming, it's time to get down to business.
"I am also hoping to take advantage of this trip to get better and more prepared," Shamir said.
Adding more drama, centre Ater Majok was almost denied entry to the US due to visa problems.
"Playing with the Lebanese national team, I've travelled to a lot of countries that are red-flagged, so I think that caused a bit of a hiccup," Majok said.
This stumbling block epitomises the Breakers' jumbled pre-season, but they'll be rewarded in the weeks to come.
While the Aussie league begins this weekend, their first NBL game against the Sydney Kings is scheduled for Friday, October 18.
Join us at 1pm Wednesday for live updates of the NZ Breakers v Memphis Grizzlies
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