The Southland Sharks are aiming to keep the Wellington Saints from claiming their 13th national title this weekend.
They’re clashing in the NBL Grand Final – the Saints hosting the Sharks at TSB Arena in Wellington.
Sharks Captain Alonzo Burton joined Adam Cooper to discuss his fifth season with the team, entering the final as the underdogs, and the team’s approach to claiming the championship title.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News Talk SEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
The National Basketball League Final is taking place in Wellington tomorrow.
It's the Wellington Saints looking for their record extending title
number thirteen, hosting the South And Sharks who are chasing
title number four for them man. In fact, two of
their three titles south And have been won by making
this very trip up to Wellington and beating the Saints
on their home court. So a very interesting Finally here
(00:34):
let's head into the South End camp. Now, the captain,
Alonzo Burton is with us. Morning to your Alonzo, great
to chat and you've had some great wins over the
past months. How ready is everyone for this big final tomorrow?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Yeah, I mean it has been a big, a big
month for us. We kind of looked at after we
lost against Palmerston up in Palmerston, we all kind.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Of got together as a group and said, if we.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Want to have a chance to make the postseason, then
we've got to go on a bit of a winning streak.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
Credit to the boys and the coaching staff and we've
we've managed to do that. So I think it just
speaks volumes of.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Our unity and togetherness and our buy in as a
as a collective.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah, and peaking at the right time as well. As
you know, how was that managed to happen? Because I
guess you look earlier in the season, and especially that
first a month or so, it was a was a
bit of a tough time for the team getting the
campaign underway. So, yeah, how's that worked through the season?
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
I guess we I guess when you're winning, that creates confidence,
and confidence goes a long way in sport, especially in basketball.
And I think with the with the run we're on,
getting Sam and halfway through the season and adding Bryden
as well, it's.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
It's given us a little bit more depth, which is
which is awesome.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
And then just the ability for for all of us
just to get used to playing with each other, the chemistry.
We kind of had to do it on the fly,
and it's it's it's happened really fast, which is a
big credit to our success and also coaching and bringing
those guys and getting us ready for the games, and
now we put ourselves in a position where we can
(02:13):
compete for a championship.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
And having the trip up to christ Church in last
week and really blowing that the Rams off the court
or really they've been such an informed team for several seasons.
Now you guys, you know, got a really good score
against them. How proud were you of that? And you
know that achievement.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Yeah, we were really proud.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
We knew going into the game it wasn't going to
be an easy game with the Rams being the defending champions,
like two times they have championship DNA, and they know
how to win, they know how to get it done
on the big stage, and we kind of talked about
making sure we go and we make the first hit,
and we're playing away from home, you know, so if
(02:50):
we don't bring it, then you let the crowd and
everything get into it. And I think the boys did
a really good job of buying into what we.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
Wanted to wanted to do.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
And like I said, once the confidence is flown, once
you're feeling good and you get into a rhythm.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Like everything just seems to fit into play. So it was.
It was great. Obviously a great team in Canterbury.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
And we're very humble in victory, I mean gracious in defeat,
So to be able to beat them and go into
a Grand Final was was really really good.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Now the South and Sharks big man just Siah Ak.
He's been named most valuable player for the entire league
this season. Anyone that's watched the Sharks game will know
the contributions he's made this year. He's out of America,
of course, tell us what his presence has been like
in a team, but also as a captain Alonso managing
a player like him and you know, just making sure
(03:42):
he's connecting with that the entire roster too.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Yeah, I mean, I guess with our group we have,
we have a bunch of selfless dudes. And I'm not
surprised with the way Josiah is playing and how he's
performing because he puts in the work, like after trainings,
before trainings, doing extras in his own time, Like those
are the things that people don't see. They only see
you know, the big before warmances and the flashy.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Stuff on court. But we just say, I'm not surprised
with what he's doing.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
And we've got we've got a really good group like
our in Portrio is really really good with Kayleb he
was here last year and then Keelan just fitting in well.
So a great group of guys and when you're in
an environment like that, it's easy to be.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Successful, Alonzo, you've had I was at the fifth season
down there now, and I'm sure at times it's been
tough that the Sharks have struggled to make the playoffs
the last few years, and I guess you've stuck at it.
There's always a lot of movement in the league, but
you have stuck with the team down there. So does
it feel rewarding that you've kind of had a season
now that's showing the league you know what can be
achieved from the Sharks.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
I mean I came down to play for the Sharks
back in twenty one because of the culture and the
rich history with winning and always been in the playoffs.
So obviously the last few years have been been down years.
There's things that are and from a player perspective that
you can't control.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
But what I love about.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
The Southland community as they always get them behind their
sports teams. So even when we were losing last year,
we still had great support and it just shows that
the couple of home games we've had in the postseason
leading into this big Grand Final, the fans have been loyal.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
They've been there. They've been loud and proud, and.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
You know, it's a great feeling when you've been through
the trenches and to finally be coming out on the
other side and with a chance to win a championship,
you know, likes.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
It is a great feeling. So hopefully we can go
one better and bring some silverware home or gold were home.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
To Cargo tell us about this match up with the Saints.
I mean, we know they have one of the biggest
stadiums in the league. That means a lot of you know,
thousands or thousands of home supporters, most of them cheering
against you guys. Of course, they're a tough team with
you know, a lot of experienced guys across the court.
How do you approach a game like this and what
is the biggest challenge with this one? Do you think?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, I think with Wellington they've set the standard all year, right,
they finished top of the top.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
Of the league in the regular season, so they're the standard.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
They've got, Like you said, they've got players and all
positions that that New Zealand Tour Blacks and veterans and
Jordan Natai and guys like that. So for us, it's
it's kind of focusing on what we do, but also
really keen and on tendencies and how they like to play.
(06:32):
And obviously playing at a at a packed out stadium,
I'm pretty sure it's going to be a tough environment
to get a win.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
But that's what you play for, right, Like you go
into a to a home gym and the crowds against you,
it's just added motivation.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
So for us, it's it's fine tuning a few things
and then also.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Just making sure we're ready for whatever Wellington throws at us.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
To finals basketball, it's yeah, you never know what can happen,
and that's the beauty of it.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
If your family has had a lot of history with
this league as well as some real success with US
League too, so you know, just on a person or not,
how you know, how motivated are you to continue that
legacy and rewrite some more history for yourself and your family,
and as you said before, bring home some silverware or gold.
Speaker 4 (07:18):
Where Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Obviously my dad played I think it was twenty one
years in this league and was an amazing player. So
to do him proud, to do my mum proud and
get a championship, I've been in this league fourteen years
now and it's not you know, not every year you
get a chance to compete for a championship. So going
(07:42):
into it like I'm just staying present and appreciating the
moment and just treating it like you know, this might
not happen again, as I think everyone should should treat
a Grand Final series. So yeah, I mean, without looking
into it too much, I'm kind of just doing everything
I normally do and approaching it the same way would
(08:03):
enning game.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
So yeah, good on your line and so well.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Congratulations on the season so far mate, and safe travels
you turn from Wellington and all the best getting the
job done on Sunday night. Thanks for your time.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Awesome thanks Edda, no ways at all.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Got on your Alonzo chairs, Alonso Burden. They're the captain
of the Southland Sharks. Tip off for the NBL Final
in Wellington Saints by the Sharks that's sold out at
tesp Arena just after two thirty tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk set be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News Talk SEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
The National Basketball League Final is taking place in Wellington tomorrow.
It's the Wellington Saints looking for their record extending title
number thirteen, hosting the South And Sharks who are chasing
title number four for them man. In fact, two of
their three titles south And have been won by making
this very trip up to Wellington and beating the Saints
on their home court. So a very interesting Finally here
(00:34):
let's head into the South End camp. Now, the captain,
Alonzo Burton is with us. Morning to your Alonzo, great
to chat and you've had some great wins over the
past months. How ready is everyone for this big final tomorrow?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Yeah, I mean it has been a big, a big
month for us. We kind of looked at after we
lost against Palmerston up in Palmerston, we all kind.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Of got together as a group and said, if we.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Want to have a chance to make the postseason, then
we've got to go on a bit of a winning streak.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
Credit to the boys and the coaching staff and we've
we've managed to do that. So I think it just
speaks volumes of.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Our unity and togetherness and our buy in as a
as a collective.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah, and peaking at the right time as well. As
you know, how was that managed to happen? Because I
guess you look earlier in the season, and especially that
first a month or so, it was a was a
bit of a tough time for the team getting the
campaign underway. So, yeah, how's that worked through the season?
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
I guess we I guess when you're winning, that creates confidence,
and confidence goes a long way in sport, especially in basketball.
And I think with the with the run we're on,
getting Sam and halfway through the season and adding Bryden
as well, it's.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
It's given us a little bit more depth, which is
which is awesome.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
And then just the ability for for all of us
just to get used to playing with each other, the chemistry.
We kind of had to do it on the fly,
and it's it's it's happened really fast, which is a
big credit to our success and also coaching and bringing
those guys and getting us ready for the games, and
now we put ourselves in a position where we can
(02:13):
compete for a championship.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
And having the trip up to christ Church in last
week and really blowing that the Rams off the court
or really they've been such an informed team for several seasons.
Now you guys, you know, got a really good score
against them. How proud were you of that? And you
know that achievement.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Yeah, we were really proud.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
We knew going into the game it wasn't going to
be an easy game with the Rams being the defending champions,
like two times they have championship DNA, and they know
how to win, they know how to get it done
on the big stage, and we kind of talked about
making sure we go and we make the first hit,
and we're playing away from home, you know, so if
(02:50):
we don't bring it, then you let the crowd and
everything get into it. And I think the boys did
a really good job of buying into what we.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
Wanted to wanted to do.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
And like I said, once the confidence is flown, once
you're feeling good and you get into a rhythm.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Like everything just seems to fit into play. So it was.
It was great. Obviously a great team in Canterbury.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
And we're very humble in victory, I mean gracious in defeat,
So to be able to beat them and go into
a Grand Final was was really really good.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Now the South and Sharks big man just Siah Ak.
He's been named most valuable player for the entire league
this season. Anyone that's watched the Sharks game will know
the contributions he's made this year. He's out of America,
of course, tell us what his presence has been like
in a team, but also as a captain Alonso managing
a player like him and you know, just making sure
(03:42):
he's connecting with that the entire roster too.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Yeah, I mean, I guess with our group we have,
we have a bunch of selfless dudes. And I'm not
surprised with the way Josiah is playing and how he's
performing because he puts in the work, like after trainings,
before trainings, doing extras in his own time, Like those
are the things that people don't see. They only see
you know, the big before warmances and the flashy.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Stuff on court. But we just say, I'm not surprised
with what he's doing.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
And we've got we've got a really good group like
our in Portrio is really really good with Kayleb he
was here last year and then Keelan just fitting in well.
So a great group of guys and when you're in
an environment like that, it's easy to be.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Successful, Alonzo, you've had I was at the fifth season
down there now, and I'm sure at times it's been
tough that the Sharks have struggled to make the playoffs
the last few years, and I guess you've stuck at it.
There's always a lot of movement in the league, but
you have stuck with the team down there. So does
it feel rewarding that you've kind of had a season
now that's showing the league you know what can be
achieved from the Sharks.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
I mean I came down to play for the Sharks
back in twenty one because of the culture and the
rich history with winning and always been in the playoffs.
So obviously the last few years have been been down years.
There's things that are and from a player perspective that
you can't control.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
But what I love about.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
The Southland community as they always get them behind their
sports teams. So even when we were losing last year,
we still had great support and it just shows that
the couple of home games we've had in the postseason
leading into this big Grand Final, the fans have been loyal.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
They've been there. They've been loud and proud, and.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
You know, it's a great feeling when you've been through
the trenches and to finally be coming out on the
other side and with a chance to win a championship,
you know, likes.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
It is a great feeling. So hopefully we can go
one better and bring some silverware home or gold were home.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
To Cargo tell us about this match up with the Saints.
I mean, we know they have one of the biggest
stadiums in the league. That means a lot of you know,
thousands or thousands of home supporters, most of them cheering
against you guys. Of course, they're a tough team with
you know, a lot of experienced guys across the court.
How do you approach a game like this and what
is the biggest challenge with this one? Do you think?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, I think with Wellington they've set the standard all year, right,
they finished top of the top.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
Of the league in the regular season, so they're the standard.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
They've got, Like you said, they've got players and all
positions that that New Zealand Tour Blacks and veterans and
Jordan Natai and guys like that. So for us, it's
it's kind of focusing on what we do, but also
really keen and on tendencies and how they like to play.
(06:32):
And obviously playing at a at a packed out stadium,
I'm pretty sure it's going to be a tough environment
to get a win.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
But that's what you play for, right, Like you go
into a to a home gym and the crowds against you,
it's just added motivation.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
So for us, it's it's fine tuning a few things
and then also.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Just making sure we're ready for whatever Wellington throws at us.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
To finals basketball, it's yeah, you never know what can happen,
and that's the beauty of it.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
If your family has had a lot of history with
this league as well as some real success with US
League too, so you know, just on a person or not,
how you know, how motivated are you to continue that
legacy and rewrite some more history for yourself and your family,
and as you said before, bring home some silverware or gold.
Speaker 4 (07:18):
Where Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Obviously my dad played I think it was twenty one
years in this league and was an amazing player. So
to do him proud, to do my mum proud and
get a championship, I've been in this league fourteen years
now and it's not you know, not every year you
get a chance to compete for a championship. So going
(07:42):
into it like I'm just staying present and appreciating the
moment and just treating it like you know, this might
not happen again, as I think everyone should should treat
a Grand Final series. So yeah, I mean, without looking
into it too much, I'm kind of just doing everything
I normally do and approaching it the same way would
(08:03):
enning game.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
So yeah, good on your line and so well.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Congratulations on the season so far mate, and safe travels
you turn from Wellington and all the best getting the
job done on Sunday night. Thanks for your time.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Awesome thanks Edda, no ways at all.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Got on your Alonzo chairs, Alonso Burden. They're the captain
of the Southland Sharks. Tip off for the NBL Final
in Wellington Saints by the Sharks that's sold out at
tesp Arena just after two thirty tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk set be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.