Where does Zylan Cheatham’s injury leave the New Zealand Breakers?

With or without Cheatham, long-term questions remain on the Breakers' centre minutes and leaky defence.

If the New Zealand Breakers are going to piece together an elite defence this season, their next personnel move needs to be an impactful one. It should be viewed as a “remainder of the season”-type signing and not just a short-term option.

Through five rounds, the Breakers are yet to register an above average defensive rating in any of their games. They sit eight points below league average overall and 14 points per 100 plays worse in half-court defence compared to last season. They’ve also allowed 64% shooting at the rim, with opponents also having the highest free throw rate in the league.

Last season New Zealand recruited for defence, and then bet big on a breakout campaign from William McDowell-White as the lead playmaker, and Mody Maor as head coach. This time, early results would suggest the roster is somewhat in line with previous versions that were more talent over fit. Finn Delany and Zylan Cheatham are both best guarding power forward, with the former’s signing appearing as if his availability was a pleasant surprise to the team, whilst Anthony Lamb’s in-season addition was a clear upgrade in ability, but didn’t address a potential concern at centre.

Ever since it became apparent that the Breakers would be relying on Mangok Mathiang for key minutes, the question of if they had a defensive anchor in the middle was lingering. Per spatialjam.com, teams have been scoring four points (per 100 possessions) above league average and shooting 62% at the rim with him on the floor.

Mathiang’s lack of foot speed or agility has seen him get blown by repeatedly by opposition bigs. He’s not the show-and-recover defender that Dererk Pardon was in ball screen actions, and any time you have him defending outside of the key in space there’s likely to be problems.