THIS year will be the year for the 0800 Easy LPG Hawks, says recently appointed Hawks captain Paora Winitana.
"I have a great desire to bring the NBL Championship home to Hawke's Bay this year," Paora says. "We've started off strong, even with all the obstacles that have been put in front of us.
"We have to keep our eye on the prize and continue to improve at every opportunity we get.
"I'm reminded of the korero 'It's not how you start, it's how you finish', so we have to finish strong this year."
A major hurdle the Hawks faced early in the season was the sudden departure of their captain, Paul Henare, to Turkish club Banvitspor, but Paora says the team has bounced back and is determined to move on.
"Pauli was a great leader and an awesome player and we'll definitely look forward to his return. But, until then, I've been given the opportunity to lead this team to that place we want to be and the best way I know how is by example.
"I can't expect the boys to give 100 percent if I'm not willing to do the same, but they know I am, they know I will, and all I ask of them is to do likewise and follow.
"When the coach (Shawn Dennis) asked me to be captain I was honoured and, when the team accepted me as their leader, it felt really awesome. It's a lot easier to lead when you know you have the boys' backing.
"Although we've got some new players the team chemistry is solid and we're willing to do whatever it takes to be successful."
How it all began …
With a dream to become an All Black, Paora, who stands at 6ft 4 and weighs in at 98kg, played rugby throughout most of his childhood, but all that changed when he participated in a game of basketball at church one day.
"Basketball was the sport they always played at church so I just joined in," Paora says. "I always wanted to be an All Black, but now I'm a Tall Black and love representing our country.
"I was 15-years-old when I began putting in the time and effort to play the game. I really enjoyed it and although I wasn't that good at first, that alone was a challenge and I love a challenge.
"In the process of training and trying to get better, I fell in love with the game and that's enough for anyone to keep going."
On his road to basketball success Paora says he idolised Byron Vaetoe, a New Zealand basketball great and a past Hawks player and a highlight of his career was playing and learning from Byron before he retired.
"When I started playing basketball, like every other kid, I always wanted to be like Mike (Michael Jordan), but now I personally think Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers) is the best player in the world. He has the total package."
Paora played basketball for Hastings Boys' High School for three years, where he broke a New Zealand Secondary School scoring record by clocking up 96 points in a single game, and he later went on to play in the NBL with the North Harbour Kings for four seasons.
No stranger to playing for his country, Paora represented New Zealand with the Junior Tall Blacks for three years and the Tall Blacks for four years, including the Athens Olympics and recent Melbourne Commonwealth Games where he received a silver medal.
"I enjoy basketball because I really enjoy team sports and working together to achieve a common goal. I truly believe that if a player can master the skills and attributes needed to play this game they will not only benefit them on court, but off court as well.
"Personally, basketball helps me to become a better person and I love playing in front of my whanau and friends and playing for my home town."
While Paora plays professional basketball and has the challenge of keeping to strict training schedules, he is also the kaiwhakahaere for Sport Hawke's Bay.
"My focus is helping Maori to become more active through sport and recreation. I spend a lot of my time working with local kura kaupapa, marae, hapu and our iwi to achieve that mandate."

Monique Hewitt, Mail Newspapers (HB)