Adrian Seconi takes a frank look at the grim state of the Otago Nuggets basketball team.
There is nothing new about watching the Otago Nuggets being dismantled on the court.
The fourth-quarter fade, or this season's record of 2-16, is par for the course for the franchise.
But what is alarming is the way the organisation appears to be unravelling off the court.
The Nuggets hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons this year.
They had two players suspended for cannabis use, which would not have impressed the sponsors.
Star American Lemar Gayle publicly criticised the coach and team, and quit when management decided to fine him $500 for inappropriate behaviour.
The biggest setback, though, was general manager Warrick Diack quitting following a dispute over money with one match remaining in the regular season.
From my perspective on the sidelines, Diack's departure will damage the franchise much more than any negative press it received.
He has been instrumental in attracting new sponsorship and restoring some of the goodwill which dissipated following a disastrous season in 2005.
The team's strip is plastered with advertising as testament to the good work he has done.
Whether the Nuggets can retain that level of commercial support without Diack smoothing the waters with his personable approach remains to be seen.
Any fall off in sponsorship would impact negatively on their ability to field a competitive team.
The Nuggets' small budget already presents enough challenges.
They have trouble recruiting because they cannot match the offers of other teams, and geographical challenges mean they spend up to three times as much on travel as some of the North Island sides.
With a Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) review of the National Basketball League pending, Basketball Otago chief executive Mark Rogers has warned there is no guarantee the Nuggets will be around for another season.
BBNZ chief executive Dale Stephens confirmed he had received an informal approach from Southland about entering a team in the league.
A franchise based in Invercargill presents a creditable challenge to the Nuggets' survival.
Stadium Southland is a quality venue and with Southland Basketball Association (SBA) able to dip into the Invercargill Licensing Trusts' (ILT) funds, the team should be well funded.
However, Southland last attempted to enter the NBL in 2003 but the bid was unsuccessful because of a lack of financial backing.
If the two regions were to pool their resources and follow the Southern Steel's example they risk diluting their support.
The team would have to be based in Invercargill to get any financial support from the ILT, which might not sit well with Nuggets fans.
While the team has been anchored at the bottom of the NBL competition table for the past four years, it still attracts crowds of between 1000 and 1200.
There is support for the Nuggets, but whether Basketball Otago can deliver a team the community deserves is in doubt.
