RICK'S NBA RUCKUS

BREAKERS star Rick Rickert has revealed his NBA dreams were shattered by a punch-up with multi-millionaire Dream Teamer Kevin Garnett.

Back in 2004, the one-time NBA prodigy Rickert was attempting to impress his coaches at the Minnesota Timberwolves, while Garnett was guarding him.

The youthful Rickert had scored several times on Garnett, which reportedly led some other players to tease the 11-time NBA All-Star. When Rickert scored again, Garnett lost it.

"That's probably one of the main reasons I didn't make the Timberwolves," said Rickert, who was reluctant to talk about the ugly incident.

"We were playing a pick-up game, I scored a couple of times on Garnett who was guarding me ... and I don't know why but the next time on the floor he sucker punched me.

"I got a chipped tooth and needed seven stitches. I guess it was because I was putting up some points on him but that might have been my downfall with the Timberwolves.

"Kevin is obviously a great player it was great to play with and against him for a while even though I lost some respect for him."

The altercation between the pair has since seen the two take contrasting paths.

While Rickert is plying his trade in the under-paid NBL, Garnett is on a salary of US$24.75 million at the Boston Celtics.

Rickert believes it was this coming together that cost him a career with Minnesota, and a chance of a shot at the big-time.

Rickert has since found it hard to find a club to suit him, after the Timberwolves sent him to Europe. He played in Spain and Greece in the Euro League and in the D-League for Ashville, Colorado and Fayettville, before arriving in New Zealand last year.

Yet despite the stunning performances he has been putting in for the Breakers, this could be the last season we see the exuberant Yank at the North Shore-based side.

Rickert wants to prove a point to the NBA and perhaps most of all Garnett.

"I still hold aspirations of playing in the NBA," Rickert said. "That's something I'm still going to work for this summer and see what happens.

"It's kind of frustrating as I really haven't had a chance to show what I can do in the NBA and I can do a lot.

"But that's life and you have to roll with the punches."

For the time being, Rickert is enjoying pulling on the Breakers shirt.

"The season is going great, we're playing well together, we're having a good time," he said.

"I think everyone on the team brings their own greatness.

"Kirk (Penney) is obviously a great scorer, CJ (Bruton) is a general he runs the team it's all pieces to the puzzle.

"We all have our own role mine is obviously scorer and rebounder. We all fit in together and it's working."

The 2.10m American cuts a distinctive figure on the side-lines, but not just because of his height. Flapping arms, high-fiving and exuberant reactions are all synonymous with Rickert.

"I like to get up and get everybody excited. I try to be a motivator," he said.

"I like to be the energy guy that gets everyone going. I get amped if the team is doing well.

"Even if we're not, I'm trying to get everybody back up where we need to be. I just bring the energy."

Rickert is part of a core starting five with Penney, Bruton, Tony Ronaldson and Oscar Forman that coach Andrej Lemanis expects to build early leads. Yet it is noticeable Rickert has had considerably less playing time than the other four, a fact that fails to bother him.

"Obviously, I would like more playing time," he admitted.

"But it is the coach's decision I go out there and do what I can do with the minutes given to me and be as positive as I can."

For the rest of this year at least, we can expect to see Rickert hustling around the basket for the Breakers.

"I definitely love playing here, it's very professional," he said.

"I think we can win every game.

"Every game from here on out people are going to come after us. So we have to concentrate on playing our game.

"As for me we'll see how this summer pans out.

"As of right now, I'm concentrating on winning an NBL championship."

How do you think Rickert would do in the NBA?

 

- © Fairfax NZ News