Piston power socks it to Nelson

Gallery: Waikato Pistons vs Nelson Giants

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PETER DRURY/Waikato Times Zoom

Waikato Pistons vs Nelson Giants at the Te Awamutu Events Centre

DONNA WALSH/Waikato Times

TRIUMPHANT: Waikato Pistons, left to right, Pero Cameron, coach Dean Vickerman, Thomas Abercrombie, Michael Fitchett and Jamie Barnett celebrate winning the national basketball title in Te Awamutu last night with a 94-84 victory over Nelson.

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Among all the celebrations of the Waikato Pistons' second consecutive National Basketball League title at Te Awamutu last night, you couldn't have found anyone happier than American Justin Bailey.

The imported shooting guard led his side to a 94-84 win in game two of the best-of three series against the Nelson Giants to propel the Pistons to back-to-back crowns. B

y compiling 32 points and six assists Bailey captured the Most Valuable Player award - named after late Pistons coach Murray McMahon, who died shortly after his side won last year's championship.

"This is unbelievable," Bailey said, shaking his head.

"The first time I came to New Zealand we were bottom of the table," Bailey said of his initial spell in the NBL with the Otago Nuggets.

"Now it's with the best team in the land and we've won a championship. This is one of the best years of my life," said the likeable 32-year-old from New Jersey, who was one of four big signings for the Pistons' title defence, along with centre Adam Ballinger, swingman Thomas Abercrombie and point guard Michael Fitchett.

The standout player in the finals was also a standout with his fashion statement, wearing a long pair of black, red and yellow Waikato socks.

He had more trouble keeping them up than from the Nelson defenders as he constantly tore through the visitors and combined spectacularly and often with Pistons captain Pero Cameron.

Bailey, however, was quick to dispel the suggestion that the MVP title stood for Most Valuable Pair.

"It's not the socks baby!" he laughed.

- © Fairfax NZ News