Josh Pace Off to the Jets for 2012
HE WAS last season's masked man but Josh Pace's agent reassures basketball fans the playmaker has nothing to hide.
For Pace - who will ply his trade with the Manawatu Jets next year - not returning to the HBS Bank Hawks may have something to do with timing between hemisphere seasons rather than money or coaching issues.
Asked if he was keen to return next year after the 106-97 National Basketball League (NBL) grand final loss to champions Wellington Saints in the capital last July, a dejected Pace said he would take a look around, talk to some people, think about it and "you never know".
The inspirational American small forward/guard's agent, Nate McCray of Michigan, says they were, until recently, mulling the idea of Pace playing in the NBA D-League with former coach Kevin Keathley.
"Keathley was hired as an assistant by the Bakersfield Jam so that was a viable option but, with the NBA lockout still looming and uncertainty of a season, we decided that it was time to pursue other opportunities," McCray said from Canada, where he has been on a recruiting mission for 2012 CFL Draft Prospects.
"I've been handling a lot of Josh's negotiations with teams while being on the road this past week."
As they started exploring options, he believed the Hawks were heading in a different direction.
Having built a rapport with all the NBL teams, McCray felt the two they were most comfortable with were the Saints and the Jets.
The Saints, he reveals, because they were coming off a championship season and the Jets because of McCray's dealings with Manawatu coach Ryan Weisenberg.
"[That] assured me that Josh would be in good hands, plus the Jets were also making a push at winning a championship as well.
"In the end, the Jets let us know they were serious about wanting a guy like Josh. They knew what they wanted and they went after it," McCray says.
Talks with the Hawks, he says, did not make it to as far as discussing matters pertaining to money.
"A player like Josh Pace doesn't have coaching style issues. He's definitely the calibre of player that adapts to any coaching style and continues to step on the court and conducts his basketball business on the court consistently.
"Josh can play in any system". Pace did not have any coaching issues with the Hawks. The Pero Cameron-coached Saints did their utmost to sign up Pace.
"I want to be clear in saying the Saints did their best in trying to acquire Josh. Even after I explained that we were going with the Jets, the Saints were still wanting to negotiate and I applaud their attempts, but the Jets' deal was a sweeter deal in the end."
Speculation is rife Bay-born Everard Bartlett will replace Pace after a stint with Auckland Pirates.
Bay-born forward Arthur Trousdell, who returned here after a hiatus to play for other franchises, is not returning, according to Hawks coach Paul Henare.
Fans have indicated veteran US import forward from last season, Galen Young has revealed on Facebook he is returning next year.
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