Best game
NBL final
Nuggets 81, Tuatara 73
Maybe there were more polished performances. But sport is about performing in the big moments, and delivering when it matters. The Nuggets certainly did that on Saturday night. They weathered multiple storms, scored baskets when they needed to and, more than anything else, brought an intensity and defensive effort to hold a dangerous scoring team to 73 points at home.
Worst game
July 3
Tuatara 105, Nuggets 74
Sorry to bring it up three days after winning a title. On this day, the Nuggets were truly awful. They trailed 60-29 at halftime as the Tuatara dominated every aspect of the game. Defensively, they were . . . well, they almost seemed to take the day off at that end. Perhaps that shows how good the final was, though. Auckland showed all its quality and the Nuggets took this loss and a week later began turning their season around.
Best individual performance
Keith Williams v Tuatara (final)
There were plenty of exceptional individual displays. But, again, sport is about doing it on the big stage. Williams had a mammoth night in the final on Saturday, dropping 34 points on 13-of-23 shooting, coming up with some big plays at the other end and icing the championship with two clutch baskets. Many of the baskets he created for himself and those last two were exceptionally tough. That must go down as one of the all time great Nuggets individual displays. Not bad for a rookie professional, not bad at all.
Most valuable player
Sam Timmins
Hard to choose — it was often someone different each night. But Timmins was the one you would not want to lose. His inside presence was huge, both as a defensive giant and a target on offence. While the team could cope without others for stretches, Timmins was one you did not want to lose for too long. It was a telling difference the impact he made on return from the Tall Blacks.
Most improved player
Jack Andrew
Nikau McCullough had a breakout season, although he was sensational from the get-go in Nuggets colours. Matthew Bardsley took huge strides and provided valuable minutes in the finals, too. But none improved more than Andrew. The young big man stepped into the void during Timmins’ absence and grew immensely. He has rebounded strongly and now finishes well enough around the hoop. Bringing his three-point game from club ball to the NBL might be his next step. Still only 21.
Defensive player of the year
Todd Withers
To quote Sam Timmins: "He’s a monster." Not to repeat the story running above this, but Withers does everything you notice and do not notice on defence. He can make the dynamic block and get a hand for a tip, but equally see a dangerous situation and diffuse it before it happens. Versatility is key — his ability to guard practically anyone gave the Nuggets options around the different line-ups they could use. Bardsley is worth a mention, too. He came on in the finals and often harassed some of the best players in the league in the full court.
