Otago Nuggets

Let's take a moment to gush.

Akeem Wright arrived in Dunedin with a reputation as an industrious and diligent all-rounder.

Leon Henry rebounded from a disappointing effort to guide the Otago Nuggets to a dramatic 81-78 win against the Taranaki Mountain Airs in New Plymouth on Saturday night.

Whatever Wellington Saints coach Pero Cameron said at halftime it certainly worked.

Here is a tip: the Auckland Pirates will win the National Basketball League.

Leon Henry's mind was not quite on the job last weekend.

You cannot beat basketball for drama, and some of it was even on the court.

Experienced point guard Michael Fitchett may have come out of retirement to answer an SOS from the Otago Nuggets, but he has a lot of making-up to do with the franchise.

The good news is Breakers swingman Leon Henry is expected to join the Otago Nuggets this weekend. The bad news is his team-mate, BJ Anthony, will not be joining him.

If the Otago Nuggets' inspirational leader Mark Dickel had been able to hobble back into the action, the home side might have inflicted on the Hawkes Bay Hawks their first loss this season.