ALTHOUGH they may have only secured one win over the weekend in the National Basketball League (NBL), the New Zealand Breakers found one biggest positives of their campaign to date.

With former NBA draftee Justinian Jessup sidelined indefinitely due to a pelvis injury, the Breakers were allowed to add an injury replacement player. With a plethora of talent available on the market, New Zealand settled on former Golden State Warrior Anthony Lamb, who showed in Round 6 that he is set to repay the team for their good faith in him.

Lamb came to the NBL having claimed the G-League’s Most Improved Player Award in 2021, having established himself as a genuine contributor on any side he suits up for. With NBA opportunities becoming tougher to find, he joined the Breakers in the hopes of showcasing his talents once again.

Although it took a couple of weeks to find his groove, Lamb fired in New Zealand’s two games throughout Round 6, and appears likely to move from the bench into the starting lineup permanantly.

He kicked things off in the team’s win over the Cairns Taipans at Spark Arena on Friday night, playing a key role in the starting lineup.

With Zylan Cheatham missing through injury and Parker Jackson-Cartwright having an off night from the field, Lamb took the responsibility upon himself to inject some life into the Breakers’ offence when it was stagnating at times.

The import played to his strengths and looked to free himself up off the ball to get open for a jumpshot, and it made New Zealand’s offensive structure much more dynamic and unpredictable. His three triples in the third quarter broke the game open and steered the Breakers towards a crucial victory.

Lamb came off the bench for the Breakers’ second game of the round for defensive purposes, this time coming up against the reigning champions in the Sydney Kings. It was always going to be a tough task at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, and despite New Zealand falling two points short in a thriller, Lamb gave the team plenty to be excited about.

He produced a whopping 29 points in 30 minutes of play, and was the most dangerous offensive player on the court, which is impressive given the quality of names he was playing with or against. Although extremely dangerous in a catch and shoot situation, Lamb showed that he can score off the dribble as well, and requires constant defensive attention.

Drafted to the NBA for his scoring ability, Lamb has shown that to be the case again at NBL level, and should make the team far better moving forward with his ability to find the bottom of the net. It appears effortless at times, and adds another punch to New Zealand’s offence.

Anthony Lamb in Round 6

vs. Cairns Taipans – 33 mins, 19 points (7/12 FG, 3/7 3PT), two rebounds, two assists
vs. Sydney Kings – 31 mins, 29 points (9/18 FG, 2/4 3PT), seven rebounds