Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai's focus, or lack thereof, concerns Minnerath

KUWAIT CITY (Kuwait) - Nick Minnerath was hardly in a celebratory mood despite Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai emerging victorious against familiar foes Kazma on the road, Monday night.

Even though they improved to 2-0 in the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) following their 85-80 win, the veteran forward was far from pleased with their performance as a unit.

"It's about our focus," he lamented during the postgame press conference at the Shaikh Saad Alabdullah Sport Hall Complex in the Kuwaiti capital.

Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai erupted for 30 big points in the second period to head into the halftime intermission up big, 52-39, and appeared to have the game under control when the lead rose to 18 points, 61-43, during the third quarter following Chavaughn Lewis' lay-up.

But the supposed smooth-sailing ride turned otherwise, The home team crawled back and soon knocked to within just three, 83-80, behind Travis Leslie with 32.9 seconds left to play.

Fortunately for the Emirati side, Leslie could not punch through what could've been the equalizing trey with 15.1 seconds left. Talal Al-Nuaimi would seal it with a perfect trip to the line.

"I think the intensity is there every game. But right now it's particularly when we're getting leads, a lot of times you start playing the score rather than playing the actual game," offered Minnerath, who finished with 19 points and 8 rebounds in the escape.

"We start getting a lead, and then we start playing a bit different. But in the end we won. If there's one thing that we need to work on, it's more of our mind rather than our actual physicality."

It's definitely concerning, especially for a team that's set to lock horns with reigning FIBA WASL champions Manama on December 18 at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall.

That game will be crucial, too, as the winner will snatch the solo lead in Group B of the Gulf League. Both teams presently share the top spot as they tote identical 2-0 records.

Group B

4/12 games played

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Manama	2	2	0	100		192	147	45	96	73.5	4
2	Shabab Al Ahli - Dubai	2	2	0	100		181	143	38	90.5	71.5	4
3	Kazma	2	0	2	0		156	169	-13	78	84.5	2
4	Al Shamal	2	0	2	0		134	204	-70	67	102	2

Minnerath, though, isn't really thinking too much about who their opponents would be in the coming games, with the recalibration of Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai's focus his only concern.

"Our issue is not intensity, it's not who we're playing, We go into every game the same. We're not concerned about who the opponent is. It's about us," he said.

"It's about playing our game rather than playing what it says on the scoreboard," added the 35-year-old. "I think we'll be fine, it's just something we need to work on."

FIBA