The anticipation. The uncertainty. The excitement.
Will it be something golden that shimmers? Or will you get stuck with a balloon, a pencil sharpener or a plastic whistle?
Otago Nuggets fans find themselves in that place.
The Nuggets finished last in 2025 — or 11th if you count the Indian Panthers, who pulled out partway through the season.
They needed to make some changes, and they have. Lots of them.
However, with all that change comes a great deal of uncertainty.
Rookie Otago coach Jeff Sparrow, who has replaced Mike Kelly, does not share that kind of anxiety.
He is confident with the crew he has hand-picked.
Sparrow has opted for players who fit with the dynamic brand of basketball he has promised.
‘‘I think who we are is a very versatile, interchangeable group that’s going to be able to push the pace offensively and is going to be able to put pressure on at a high level defensively,’’ he said.
The Nuggets opted against playing any preseason games, but they have had five weeks together, and Sparrow said they were ready for their opening game against a talented Southland Sharks lineup in Invercargill tonight.
‘‘You want to be hitting your stride at the end of the season, but I think every day, because we’ve had 20 people on the ground since March 9, it’s just been non-stop growth.
‘‘And for us, and for me personally, there’s no excuse as to why we can’t go down to Invercargill and get the job done, knowing that we’ve had so much time together and so much continuity together.’’
Where to start with the roster changes?
It is easier to list who is returning.
Veteran small forward Matthew Bardsley — who is on paternity leave and may miss the opening game — is back to add to his 108 games for the Nuggets.
He is likely to overhaul Hayden Allen (109), Josh Aitcheson (110), Matt Gillan (112) and Mark Dickel (124) this season.
Only Andrew Parke (about 200 games) and Leonard King (181) will have played more games for the Nuggets.
Caleb Smiler and Christian Martin are the only other notable returnees.
There is an all-new import trio in Buay Tuach, Alain Louis and Michael Henn, while star signing Ethan Rusbatch will be joined by Zach McKenzie, Isaac Miller-Jose and Tyson Thata-Paese.
Tuach shapes as the key signing. He played for the star-studded Auckland Tuatara last season, so he is a safe play.
The Nuggets know what they will be getting in that sense. What they do not know is how much he can expand his game when given more responsibility than he had to shoulder in Auckland.
Louis shapes as an interesting prospect. Sparrow described his point guard as an ‘‘absolute dog’’ who can ‘‘guard his yard’’ in an earlier interview.
He is also charged with setting the tempo and transporting the ball safely from one end to the other.
Louis is shaped like a loose forward and is happy to use that frame to barge and cut his way to the hoop.
Henn is a versatile forward. He has arrived in great shape and is keen to make an impact.
Shooting guard Rusbatch is a seasoned campaigner who will take a leadership role and be charged with dropping in three-pointers and bringing all his experience at the other end. He is also a savvy and reliable defender.
Forwards McKenzie and Miller-Jose will both bring athleticism and size, while Thata-Paese, who dominated the Rapid League during his stint with the Manawatū Jets, adds some depth to the guard line.
