Would "The Bishop" have made a difference?
Definitely, HBS Bank Hawks coach Paul Henare said referring to the absence of ex-Tall Black Paora Winitana after their 106-97 loss to the Saints in the NBL grand final in Wellington last night.
Family, friends and fans hugged the dejected Hawks at the TSB Bank Arena with some convinced the result would have been different if the shooting guard had played.
Instead, he sat on the bench in mufti because his Mormon beliefs don't allow him to play on Sundays.