Rakocevic ready for first New Zealand outing

Adelaide 36ers centre/forward Nick Rakocevic is looking forward to his first visit to New Zealand as the side prepares to face the Breakers on Thursday night.

The Serbian-American has now played seven games since arriving in Australia a month ago.

He has played some important roles off the bench, including being one of the 36ers who mostly contained Illawarra’s former NBA big man JaVale McGee in Sunday's win over the Hawks.

Rakocevic had four points, six rebounds and an assist in just over 13 minutes of game-time against the Hawks.

Reflecting on the win, Rakocevic said the side had worked on close finishes in the lead-up having lost narrowly to Melbourne a week earlier. He said this time his side had got more things right.

“I think we played well,” he said before flying to New Zealand on Wednesday.

“Obviously, (there were) some things that we can adjust to and correct, but, you know, for the most part, I'm super proud of the guys and how they battled and overall (it was) just a great team win.

“When you play one weekend and another week (later), it's always difficult, so it's bounce back and especially after such a tight game like Melbourne, but I think we did well and you know, we prepared a whole week for them and like I said, it was a great overall game for us, and definitely some things that we could learn on and do better at, but, you know, all that matters is we got to the win.”

Sixers coach Mike Wells was full of praise for Rakocevic and fellow big men Isaac Humphries and Zylan Cheatham after the result for the way they battled against McGee.

He singled out Rakocevic for his physicality off the bench.

“JaVale, he's one of the best players in this league, and, you know, obviously, NBA veteran and he's a super skilled,” Rakocevic said of his role. “And you guys can see that skillset on the day to day basis in the NBL so, you know, just when the guys that big and skilled, you’ve got to stay attached to him and kind of body-to-body with him.

“I played against JaVale in Puerto Rico in a different league, so that wasn't my first look at him, but, you know, he's a great player and he's having a hell of a season.

“I'm just glad that we were able to contain him and hold him.”

Rakocevic was signed late after Montrezl Harrell’s departure, only arriving in the country after the 36ers had played their first NBL game.

He flew straight into Cairns to meet his new teammates and face the Taipans and has impressed with his work ethic, physical presence and team-first mentality.

The 211cm Chicago-born 27-year-old is averaging 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game so far this season coming off the bench.

“It's definitely a different role for me,” he explained.

“I'm used to coming from China and other places I played, like the ball’s mainly going through me, and me getting more minutes and stuff like that, but I'm just glad that I can help the team out in any way that I can.

“I’m still trying to find my role with this team. Me and Coach (Wells), we talk about that, he's helped me a lot.

“I'm here to just help the team, so if it's grabbing rebounds and setting good screens, you know, that's what I'm going to do.”

Having had one game per week over the last two rounds, the Sixers are preparing to face the Breakers in the second of seven games that they’ll play in 20 days.

“I don't know if you prefer that, but you know, that's just what it is,” Rakocevic said of the rush of games.

“Every basketball player, they want to play games so that's good, but in terms of body and recovery and stuff like that, you know, we’ve just got to be careful.

“We’ve got to be mindful and just make sure that we're practising the right way, and guys will take care of their bodies, especially guys like, you know, Bryce (Cotton), Z (Cheatham), and Isaac (Humphries), (who play) 30 minutes a game, 35 minutes a game.

“Everybody's just got to take care of their bodies especially because you have quick turnarounds like this, just, you know, mentally and physically need to be prepared and just take it day by day.”

Thursday’s game will be the first time Rakocevic has been to New Zealand.

He has watched the Breakers on television and is leaning on teammate Zylan Cheatham, a former Breaker, for any insight into the opponent.

“I don't know much about New Zealand, I’ve never been there before so, you know, I’m very excited to go and see a new place and play a good team,” Rakocevic said.

“I know they're a big team, they’ve got good guards, they're overall a real good team, well coached.

“So, you know, it's going to be a good matchup for us, and I'm looking forward to it.”

Thursday night’s game gets underway from 5:00pm ACDT. The Sixers will then return home to face Perth on Sunday.