NZ Breakers are on a tear through the Aussie NBL, but they may have overstepped the mark with their social media taunting of former star Corey Webster, due back in town with Perth Wildcats on Saturday.
The Auckland-based team have now won their last five games - the hottest streak in the competition - and currently sit atop the table with an 11-3 record, after dispatching South East Melbourne Phoenix 110-84.
But in their attempts to drum up a crowd at Spark Arena this weekend, they have taken aim at one of their own - three-time championship-winning guard Webster, now plying his trade in Western Australia.
The BreakersNZ instagram account has posted an uncomplimentary image of a billboard, compaying Webster, 34, with a cat emoji.
"Cheeky's just got back from Christchurch and looks like the billboards changed," says the post. "What could this possibly mean?"
"Something they wouldn't say to my face," Webster responds among the comments.
Born and bred on the North Shore, the Tall Blacks shooter joined the Breakers as a development player in 2008 and served 10 years with the club, helping it to ANBL crowns in 2011, 2014 and 2015, and earning NBL Second Team selection in 2016.
His career has been marred by offcourt incidents, including drug suspensions and assault charges, but his oncourt prowess has never been questioned, taking him to the brink of NBA attention in his prime.
In August 2021, Webster and the Breakers parted ways "by mutual consent", with two years left on his contract, followed soon after by brother Tai, whose refusal to be vaccinated for COVID-19 meant he could not play in Victoria during the pandemic.
The Instagram post has been slammed by fans - including some Breakers players and national teammates.
"This is way off!" posts Breakers guard Izayah Le'afa.
"This is so off," agrees Breakers power forward Tom Vodanovich.
"You guys wouldn't have three of your [championships] if he didn't give so much to your club," said Brisbane Bullets centre Harry Froling.
"Bunch of [clown emoji] for this one," said former Breakers teammate Leon Henry. "There's one thng we don't do and that's disrespect."
"#FireTheMarketingManager," said hip-hop star and hoops fanatic King Kapisi. "TeamWebsterAllday"
Perth currently languish outside NBL playoff contention with a 5-7 record, but are the most successful club in the competition, winning 10 championships, most recently in 2020.
Off the bench, Webster is averaging nine points per game, shooting just 28 percent from the arc.
