Excitement ahead for Breakers

Changes forced on the National Basketball League as a result of the Sydney Kings' licence being revoked and the Brisbane Bullets returning their licence have made the league more exciting according to the New Zealand Breakers chief executive Richard Clarke.

As a result of the changes the remaining teams will play each other three times in the 30-game programme for each side.

"It's going to be a real war this year," Clarke said.

"We now have the talent from 13 teams concentrated into 11 rosters - every team has got better. The battle for playoff spots will be huge."

Clarke said the system was much more balanced and he predicted a much closer battle for the playoff positions, when the final number is decided.

The Breakers start their training on July 24 at their Mairangi Bay base although they will be without their international players, Kirk Penney, Corey Webster and assistant coach Dean Vickerman (New Zealand) and CJ Bruton after the Boomers' Olympic Games campaign.

Rick Ricket will also join the team in mid-August.

In pre-season games the side has a three-game series in Perth in late-August and then games in Melbourne against the Tigers and South Dragons.

"It is a really tough pre-season schedule - exactly what Andrej wanted. We play three legitimate title contenders, so we will get a very good idea of exactly where our team is at," Clarke said.

He added that it would be good to have the off-court issues resolved and time concentrated on building towards this year's competition.