Neither do you have to brief him on what it’s like to be on the visiting bench, pensively counting down the stop clock of the Pettigrew-Green Arena at the height of a National Basketball League (NBL) match.

He’s one of those blokes who falls in the “been-there-and-done-it” category.

“I have very fond memories of Hawke’s Bay because it gave me my first real opportunity at the top level,” the 36-year-old tells SportToday from North Harbour while keeping an eye on his children at a playground.

“Curtis Wooten was the head coach and I went to the Hawks as a 19-year-old turning 20 and it was my first chance to be in a top team,” he reveals before the 0800 Easy LPG Hawks tip-off at 7pm today against the Harbour Heat.

Ironically, the former Heat, Waikato Pistons, Nelson Giants and Auckland Stars point guard who played for 14 NBL seasons, returns tonight to his old stomping grounds as a rookie Heats head coach at the arena.

Indubitably he was starry-eyed player in the Bay, with the likes of former NBA Utah Jazz draft player Kerry Boagni, ex-Tall Blacks Byron Vaetoe and Brendon Pongia.

“Willie Burton came about the same and Curtis was a respected coach so Hawke’s Bay was pretty much home for me,” says the former Tall Black who holds the NBL record for 1000 assists.

Well, to be more precise, Flavell lived with Tall Black and injured Hawk Paul Henare’s family in Napier for three years.

“In fact, Paulie’s still up here recovering from his surgery and getting his legs back,” he says, claiming the point guard is training and helping with the Breakers’ academy.

When pointed out that’s how rumours of defections start, Flavell laughs, ruling out any ulterior motives.

“We’re very good friends but he’s always been a Hawke’s Bay boy at heart and a Hawk through and through. The Breakers too are trying to get him ready and any players we prepare are all good for the New Zealand team too.”

Born in Whangarei, Flavell, unlike rookie Wellington Saints coach Pero Cameron, has had the luxury of easing into the coaching role alongside New Zealand Breakers head coach Andrej Lemanis.

“I’m fortunate in that way because I’ve kind of been in apprenticeship,” he says, agreeing riding the emotional rollercoaster of an undefeated side is in itself a challenge.

“You have to have your feet on the ground when the highs are too high and the lows are too low,” he says, feeling comfortable on the skills side of the game but coming to grips with the management aspect that encompasses more than just worrying about one’s self as he did in his heyday as a professional player.

In his last NBL season with Auckland, Flavell was in the losing side to the Hawks in the 1997 grand final.

The head coach of the Basketball Development Academy reckons the PG Arena is up there with Nelson as the toughest NBL venue to register wins.

He’s mindful of the Hawks’ big-game players tonight and their resurgence last Friday night when they spoilt the party of defending champions Waikato who are in the hunt of a treble of NBL titles.

Flavell, is keen to catch up with the familiar faces tonight, but first there’s some business he needs to attend to.

Friday, April 16

At Pettigrew Green Arena, Taradale

0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks v Harbour Heat, 7pm

Referees - Melony Wealleans, Shane Nikora, Wayne Start