With a healthy dose of good news

this record than Shamir. No one is as motivated to put it straight entering another campaign that has ‘‘deja-vu’’ written all over it.

Not only have the Breakers had to negotiate a perilous lead-in tarnished by the Auckland lockdown, but since shifting to Melbourne for the pre-season they’ve had to deal with a Covid-19 outbreak that has robbed them of much-needed game and practice time, as well as an injury to starting small forward Tom Abercrombie (out for the first three weeks).

On top of that they’re facing the prospect of another extended run in Australia after their hope of returning to New Zealand for a string of home games over the back half of the season appeared dashed by latest border plans.

‘‘I do feel like I have a lot to prove,’’ Shamir tells before his brush with Covid. ‘‘You’re asking a very personal thing . . . it’s very tough to go through two seasons without success. We love each other here, we believe in what we’re doing and how we’re doing it, but we are in professional sport, so the answer is absolutely yes.’’

Shamir believes his squad for this season is ‘‘loaded’’ and can get the job done, even if it is a little guard heavy, and a little light on rim-protecting big men. He is sure he has the talent to win ball games. He is equally sure he can marry it into an effective team.

What he could do with now is a break or two. No more Covid. No more injuries. Even some home games to look forward to. Then Shamir could go about proving a point or two.

NBL 2021-22, round 1 (all tipoffs NZT):

Friday: Tasmania JackJumpers v Brisbane Bullets, MyState Bank Arena, 9.30pm; Perth Wildcats v Adelaide 36ers, RAC Arena, 11.30pm.

Saturday: South East Melbourne Phoenix v New Zealand Breakers, John Cain Arena, 10pm.

Sunday: Adelaide 36ers v Illawarra Hawks, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 3pm; Sydney Kings v Melbourne United, Qudos Bank Arena, 5pm; Perth Wildcats v Cairns Taipans, RAC Arena, 7.30pm.