Basketball On The Internet.

OH no! Not another blow-out. Did New Zealand's all-the-way 42-point humiliation last night of Illawarra in Wollongong signal it's time yet again for another bout of hand-wringing and pontificating by the NBL's media minions? Or was it a case of the Breakers, led by Sam Mennenga, just being great?

After all, it's not as if they didn't have all the answers when they first clashed in New Zealand (117-88) less than a month ago when Mennenga, who steadily is compiling an All Star Five season, had 20 and 8.

Last night it was 21 and 11 against the defending champion which was playing with a reconstructed line-up that now only is missing that final injured piece, Sam Froling.

So to lose by 42 and at home was, well, disgraceful.

Hawks coach Justin Tatum has a lot of work ahead to save this season now, even though historically it has often occurred that new incoming faces aren't instantly season-altering.

New import QJ Peterson going 1-of-10 on debut and returning championship hero William "Davo" Hickey bobbling up the ball five times you would hope were one-offs, not symptomatic.

Hickey's frustrations led to a warranted technical foul but to lay the blame for Illawarra's farcical effort on him and Peterson would be completely unfair and absurd.

It starts with Tatum yet again allowing Tyler Harvey (2-of-11) to operate in his own world and for the Hawks' offence to be reliant on him and Javale McGee.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and Mason Peatling were non-factors all night and Jackson Ball, after starting and playing the opening four minutes, was completely forgotten or overlooked in favour of Hickey, Harvey, Peterson and even Johny Narkle.

Biwali Bayles was his usual aggressive self in his 11 minutes but Todd Blanchfield and Daniel Grida have taken a step backwards and Jonah Bolden is a shadow of that guy who played NBA and, sadly, will never be seen again.

The post-championship hangover is real, the commitment - commitment??? - to defence only a token passing thought and working together for the best shot a thing of the past.

Many believed the Hawks turned the corner in Perth but it is clear it was only a corner in a maze.

In stark contrast, New Zealand rarely has looked better. Petteri Koponen had his rotations right, finally recognising the best years of Reuben Te Rangi (18 minutes, 2 points, 1-of-6, 2 rebounds), Izayah Le'Afa (12 minutes, 0-of-3, 1 rebound, 1 assist, a  steal, 1 turnover) and Rob Loe (7 minutes, 1 point, 0-of-2 and both 3-point attempts, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover) are in the rearview mirror.

They will still have their moments but they steadily become less, so sticking with Karim Lopez, getting Carlin Davison in there and Rob Baker finding his touch were big pluses but not gambles.

The Hawks could not defend Lopez, while Mennenga and Parker Jackson-Cartwright were the architects behind a 31-18 first period (of four) where the home team would be substantially outscored.

Izaiah Brockington was solid and the fact New Zealand had six players in double figures and Illawarra two told the story of how they both approached their offences.

This was the right formula for the Breakers but the Hawks are very much back at the drawing board because for all he brings, Peterson won't be another Trey Kell.

Round 7

Perth Wildcats 95 (Lual-Acuil 23, Pepper 19, Doolittle 14, Okwera 13, Rillie 11, Henshall 10; Russo-Nance 7 rebs; Doolittle 4 assts) d Tasmania JackJumpers 84 (Hamilton 26, Marshall, Bannan 15, Campbell 12, Deng 11; Bannan 8 rebs; Campbell 7 assts) at The Anthill, MyState Bank Arena. Crowd: 4,139. Q-Q: 16-28, 21-13, 35-27, 23-16 Ignite Cup Pts: Perth 6, Tasmania 1

Brisbane Bullets 113 (Harrison, Prather 21, Adams 20, Murray 16, Ducas 13, Mathias 11; Prather 10 rebs; Adams 7 assts) d Cairns Taipans 85 (McVeigh 23, Galloway 12, Andrews 11; Lee 8 rebs; Andrews 10 assts) at The Bullethole, Brisbane Enterainment Centre. Crowd: 3,684

New Zealand Breakers 102 (Menenga 21, Baker 19, Lopez 14, Brockington 12, Jackson-Cartwright 11, Davison 10; Mennenga 11 rebs; Jackson-Cartwright 6 assts) d Illawarra Hawks 60 (Mcgee 13, Harvey 11, 3 with 6; McGee 10 rebs; Hickey 6 assts) at the Sandpit, WIN Entertainment Centre. Crowd: 4,080