Phoenix big man Dane Pineau’s fan favouritism is set to reach another level in NBL21, having spent chunks of the off-season developing a three-point shot.
The 206cm Melburnian has spent his entire college and early NBL career inside the paint as a defensive presence and strong rebounder but is looking to enhance his offensive skillset to take the next step in his development.
Phoenix fans were treated to an eye-catching display of three-point shooting last year, which could now feature all rostered players in the upcoming season.
New recruit Yanni Wetzell will join Pineau in the frontcourt and is also capable of knocking down long balls which will allow the team to play with space and freedom at all times.
(Pineau has been working hard to correct his shooting form)
Speaking on the PNX Player Catch Ups podcast, Pineau says it’s a part of his game that he hopes will eventually make a big difference but emphasises he won’t come out shooting like Kendall Stephens right away.
“It’s going to take a long time because firstly I have to get good at shooting and then once I start doing that in drills then I have to start being able to work it into games,” he said.
“Shooting in games is very different to shooting in drills because there’s people around the defence and everything happens a lot quicker.
“A lot of the times when we’re playing now, I don’t even shoot one because I’m not thinking about trying to find a three-pointer. I’ve been playing so long inside in the three-point line and I now have to start thinking, ‘here might be a spot I can shoot it’.
“It’s a big adjustment but I am really trying to get there and I’m hoping someday down the line I’ll be one of those guys you have to respect at the three-point line. I know that’ll take a long time but I’ve started taking the steps towards it and hopefully this season I can get a couple up and get the ball rolling.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CEtEmlzFNNf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CEtEmlzFNNf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CEtEmlzFNNf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Oh yeah...@danepineau shoots 3??’s now ?? . #Heartland #RiseUpPhoenix</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/semelbphoenix/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> South East Melbourne Phoenix</a> (@semelbphoenix) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-09-04T06:17:05+00:00">Sep 3, 2020 at 11:17pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></body></html>
“It’s not like I’m going to come out blazing and shooting three or four a game, it might be one or two a game.”
Pineau also spoke about his close relationship with NBL legend Andrew Gaze, who was heavily involved in his junior pathway and coached him at the Sydney Kings.
He says Gaze is a person he reaches out to whenever he needs guidance.
“I’ve known ‘Drewy’ my whole life really,” Pineau said.
“He’s a big part of me growing up in basketball, always helping me. He also helped me with my college choices and everything.
“I talk to ‘Drewy’ about basketball but also life as well. He’s been really helpful to me. If I ever need to talk to someone I know that I can call him, he’s been great.”
Crazy haircuts, locker room music, mario kart and even his mum’s cooking also feature in the fun podcast.
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Phoenix Media (22/10/2020)
