Basketball: Henry's top form may not be all good news for Nuggets

There might be a big down side to Leon Henry's much improved form.

The Breakers bench player has been playing more minutes and making some valuable contributions for the champion club in the past month.

But all the extra court time puts stress on the body and Henry is still weighing up whether to get corrective surgery on a leg problem when the Breakers' campaign winds up. That is not particularly good news for the Nuggets, who were hoping to get more out of their signing this season.

Henry has been struggling with a stress fracture in his lower leg for the past two years but told the Otago Daily Times his hobble had been replaced by a spring in his step this season.

''Hopefully, my injury will stay good because I'm hoping to be back in a Nuggets singlet,'' Henry said.

''I've been playing on a stress fracture for the last couple of years but I've been managing it quite well. It is actually feeling quite good and the doctor is saying progress has come a long way.

''So I'm unsure whether I will have surgery or not during the off-season. But right now, with the way it is going, it is feeling great. As long as I stay positive, hopefully I can continue on through the New Zealand season also.''

Nuggets coach Alf Arlidge said he planned to sit down with Henry to discuss the player's options. But the last time he spoke to Henry, Arlidge said he got the feeling it ''did not look good'', so he was surprised to hear Henry was feeling better.

The franchise has already made moves to shore up its roster. Former Tall Black Brendon Polyblank has been in Dunedin discussing the prospect of playing for the franchise and he would be a more than able replacement if Henry is ruled out.

Basketball Otago general manager Markham Brown could not be reached for comment last night but Arlidge said Polyblank was very keen and his gut feeling was that Polyblank will reach an agreement with the Nuggets. In the meantime, winning has certainly helped ease the pain for Henry. The Breakers have won 19 of their 22 games and look well-placed to defend their title. Henry has come out of his shell in recent weeks with some breakout performances.

''I've been a bit more consistent in the past few weeks and during the road stretch. And I'm just happy that I can do something to help the team.''

Henry scored 14 points in the 91-74 win against Wollongong late last month. It was a Australian NBL career high for him and the Breakers have now won their past 11 games in a row. The three-peat is definitely on.

''It is going great at the moment. Eleven in a row and we're happy to be on the streak.

''Everyone is pretty happy and satisfied but we've still got a lot of work to go and we're really looking forward to the playoffs.''

Former Sharks coach Richard Dickel has moved to Adelaide for a post as coaching director at the Forestville Eagles. Dickel guided the Sharks to two playoff appearances in their first three seasons but was not wanted for the coming season.