Former NBL MVP responds after New Zealand Breakers star unleashes potent post-game verbal spray

NBL commentator and ex-MVP Derek Rucker only has one problem with Jackson Parker-Cartwright’s potent post-game verbal spray.

NBL commentator and ex-MVP Derek Rucker holds no ill-feelings towards New Zealand import guard Jackson Parker-Cartwright after the American blasted him with a potent post-game verbal spray, declaring: “I don’t mind him having a crack at me”.

Rucker, though, does take “exception” to Parker-Cartwright going at fellow caller Jack Heverin because “he was just hosting”.

It follows an explosive ending to Wednesday’s Play-In game between the Sydney Kings and the New Zealand Breakers at Qudos Bank Arena.

Jackson-Cartwright produced a classic post-season performance, dropping an NBL career-high 34 points in a win to end the Kings’ season and quest for a rare three-peat.

Raw emotion. Pure talent.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright was fired up at @derekrucker5 after crushing the Sydney Kings' three-peat dream 🤯

Watch the full video: https://t.co/71CBWMdFzi

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— NBL (@NBL) February 28, 2024

Emotions overflowed after the game when the Breakers import made a beeline for Rucker at the commentary desk.

This prompted discussions that the diminutive guard took umbrage with his position in the former MVP’s recently released top-15 player rankings.

Rucker ranked him at number seven across the league, while he also said pre-game that Sydney would convincingly win the knockout finals clash.

This sparked outrage within Parker-Cartwright, but Rucker isn’t worried.

“If he is upset with me because of my forecast for the game or where I put him in my top 15 player list, then so be it,” Rucker told CODE Sports.

“He was fired up, fair enough. He came over to the commentary position right in front of us and he started yelling at me.

“I’d heard pre-game that he was a bit upset with his ranking and that morning I predicted Sydney to win the game by double figures.

“From my perspective I like Parker as a player. I think he is one of the most exciting players to come here in the past five years. What he did last night was amazing. That performance was big time.

“I respect the fact that he is stimulated and motivated by that type of stuff. He is hungry and he is a competitor.”

Parker Jackson-Cartwright celebrates with Breakers head coach Mody Maor after winning their Play-In Qualifier. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

Rucker’s only concern was Parker-Cartwright having a crack at his fellow commentator in Heverin.

“Because Jack had nothing to do with it other than hosting the NBL Now show,” he said.

“The thoughts and opinions were mine and not Jack’s opinions.”

Jackson-Cartwright has since told New Zealand reporters that he didn’t mean any disrespect and got caught up in the emotion of the victory.

“The emotions of the game definitely caught up at the end, when you get a big win like that and you’re celebrating with your teammates, and you’ve had a long, good week of practice the emotions of the game come out,” he said.

“This is Playoff basketball, and this is what it’s all about. Speaking to the Rucker situation and the interview after, it doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme, I think people love to grow things out of proportion, in no way was it my intention to disrespect anybody.

“It was a build-up of this is a big win, on the road, and we rallied together and I just felt that raw emotion, that’s all.”

Originally published as Former NBL MVP responds after New Zealand Breakers star unleashes potent post-game verbal spray