Together. It is a single word describing unity, compactness and harmony. It therefore comes as no surprise that it is the final word used by the players and coaching staff of the Perth Redbacks basketball team to break from their team huddle, either during the heat of battle in a forty eight minute game or throughout an intense training scrimmage.

Once again the man at the helm of the Perth Redbacks men’s basketball programme this season is head coach Nik Lackovic. It will be his duty to combine and develop a talented and exciting playing roster to compete in the approaching 2015 Men’s State Basketball League season.

Securing Lackovic as head coach of the men’s programme is a positive step for the club in further building upon the successes of the 2014 season, in which the Redbacks had a six game winning streak over the final few weeks to reach third position in the final regular season standings. The Redbacks carried this momentum into the playoffs where they completed a comfortable quarterfinal sweep of the talented Mandurah Magic. The unfortunate exit at the semi final stage of the playoffs at the hands of the eventual SBL Champions was at the time most disappointing, however not defining of this resilient playing and coaching group, all of whom are ready to take the next step and challenge for a title this season.

Lackovic was rewarded for his hard work and dedication to his players and club during 2014 by being named as an Assistant Coach for the MSBL All Star Team that took on the Perth Wildcats at the conclusion of the State Basketball League season. He was also named head coach of the SBL ‘North’ Team that competed in the All Star Game held at the Eaton Recreation Centre.

The goals for Lackovic and the players in 2015 are clear “We want to re-establish ourselves as the elite team that we created during the second half of the season. “ said Lackovic. “To be that elite team we have broken it down to really driving the standard in everything we do, in our execution, our preparation individually as players, and bringing in specialists in their field, for example we have brought in Kyle Wheeler to develop strength and conditioning.”

A measure of a good coach is the ability to retain a core group of elite players, and Lackovic has indeed accomplished that with the key ingredients of last year returning in 2015. When asked about the big impact of keeping the majority of players, Lackovic said, “It is huge. The retention of our main core group who I’ve had for two seasons now helps with the familiarisation of what we run at both ends of the floor and it gives ownership and leadership of this within our group. We are only going to ever be as good as our leaders, and ultimately it is their team, I’m here just to guide the ship.”

Included in this group is club captain Joel Wagner, who will be joined by Dennis Tawhiti, Jarrad Prior, Ash Stephens, Zach Makavilitogia, Jamieson Lewis and Tim Rendulic. Lackovic has pulled off a big coup in the off-season by signing former Kalamunda Eastern Suns star shooting guard, and former Redback junior Ben Smith. The return of talented point guard AJ Johnston bodes well for a well- balanced playing group for 2015. With the impending addition of an import player to the roster, there is no doubt the pieces are fitting into place for the Redbacks to become legitimate SBL title contenders.

However, talent alone cannot win titles, and behind every successful team stands effective and influential leaders. As the starting point guard of the last Redbacks team to win a title, Lackovic knows what it takes to challenge and win. Joel Wagner is one of Lackovic’s strongest supporters and advocates: “He drives a high standard not only on the floor but off it. He creates an environment where success and professionalism are expected.”

Coach Lackovic is not only the strongest supporter of each of his players, but also of the big impact and role played by his assistant coaches. “Investing time into guys like Wade Horwood, who could coach at this level with his eyes closed I believe, has made me very fortunate, and he is very dedicated and loyal part of our club.” Joining Horwood again as an assistant coach this season is ex SBL Referee Bryn Arnold, who brings his own attributes and knowledge of basketball to a team he is most passionate about.

Lackovic’s player management skills, strategic mind and attention to detail are not only evident to the players, but also to the clubs administration, the supporters and junior players coming through the clubs’ WABL setup. Lackovic has put in numerous hours each week, not only on developing his SBL charges, but also to form close personal and working relationships with junior players and coaches.

Lackovic along with the Redbacks Board, were a driving force in setting up the exciting off season news, that the Redbacks home floor will move from the aging Belmont Oasis Centre to the more modern and professional facilities available at Curtin University. It will provide a fantastic chance for the Perth Redbacks to attract and entertain a large base of basketball supporters rarely seen at SBL games in the Perth Metropolitan area.

When appointed as head coach back in 2013, Lackovic had clear goals in mind. “I had a three year goal in place when I met with the board. The first was for our club to become more financial, two was to get us into our own stadium, and three was to get us to a Championship game. We just fell short of the Championship game in the semi finals last year, however we are certainly in a better position financially than we have been in the last ten or fifteen years, and that’s thanks to the brand of basketball we have been playing, with people wanting to get behind us and supporting it.” With the backing and hard work of the Redbacks Board, sponsors and volunteers, these common goals are well and truly about to be achieved.

So with the preseason well underway, and the home opening game fast approaching, the Redbacks continue to work hard under the leadership of Lackovic and his coaching staff to accomplish what now is an achievable goal to head back to the playoffs and compete for a well overdue title.

One thing is for certain; there will be an exciting brand of basketball played by the Perth Redbacks in an electrifying venue, where the thrilling ride of an SBL season will be shared amongst the players, coaches and supporters of the State Basketball Leagues proudest club. Together.

Matt Cecins

Follow Matt on twitter @matt_cecins