As I said would happen.

Correct decision. He was crap from year 1 and just never learned

@SixersFan

Biggest issue for me. 3 years in and it felt like he just hadn't grown as a coach at all. Still making some really perplexing errors that he should have learnt from a long time ago.

Didn't see that coming LOL - Wooden spoon coaches are dropping like flies!

Had to happen. Can't have back-to-back heartless performances like that and think they're on the right track.

Hopefully we see some different substitutions and lineups this Saturday!

Would Simpson be dirty getting overlooked for the interim role?

Thoughts on who would be the preferred coach next season?

Smith-Milner to be cut and replaced by Daniel Johnson? Surely with Ninnis' history with DJ and coaching him at South Adelaide that is being considered? ;)

It's a horrible business but correct decision, performance is everything and Sixers just didn’t perform.

Wasted some roster expenditure over recent years. Spent up on talent, but wrong coach.

Watch for the stories to come out today about what has been going on.
Ninnis has a lifeline now to show he can coach in the league.

@AJ16 The issue is there's plenty of preferred coaches, but I can't see them actually wanting the job. Outside of hiring a 1st timer again i'm not sure who you're getting to come in. They may reach out to the same group again like Brett Maher, or they'll go back to Kevin Brooks maybe, but then I don't hear much good about him as a coach either.

It was a terrible appointment and dragged on too long .
Start looking for quality coach now and surely a good and easy decision is doing Nbl commentary.

Not surprised after that last press conference.

lol classic Rucker

"I'm hearing he’s getting an extension"

Ahuh Ahuh

Adelaide's worst-kept secret for the past 6+ months.

Ninnis was horrible in his last stint as Adelaide coach, not a fan. But it was certainly time for CJ to move on.

Which players are signed on after this year?

@Ballin Fan

I believe it's only Nick Marshall, Sunday Dech and Jason Cadee with contracts for next year. Wiley and Flowers have options as well.

The good old Simpsons meme came to mind immediately "Why now and not 2 years ago?"

Johnson returning would have a very faint glimmer but only as an injury replacement. It might actually work if Ninnes can sell him on a limited role. I've refused to watch but Smith-Milner hasn't been completely terrible to warrant a straight cut for DJ though with the season basically done.

Ninnes seems to be the smart replacement, experienced that may salvage a bit from the rest of the season. But unless he has a fantastic finish, would like him to go back to assistant next season. Then go for a young gleague guy who needs a head coaching role on his resume to make an NBA team in the near future. Please don't go down recycling Gaze etc and don't take chances on guys like
Caporn even if they wanted the job. And there's a reason KB can't even last in NBL1, he'd be worse than CJ in other areas.

MM can go down the depth chart behind Cadee, what's he going to do, leave. Make Flowers 6th man if not starter and see if he can blossom, at least increase his minutes even if to encourage future next stars to consider Adelaide.

Seriously, this club is a shambles. Interesting owner on all the media statements welcoming the new coaches, but CEO does the departure messages!

Couple more changes need to stop this merry go round

Agreed. Definitely need more changes in people and/or processes.
I would have thought Dech and Cadee would be a couple of the last players signed for the following season.

The continued hangover effect of JVG continues. More sizzle than steak signings for McCarron and CJ. I am not sure why we keep going for inexperienced coaches and putting top dollar on second rate guards and expecting them to be "the guy". It needs to stop. The sooner they can get McCarron out the better as well. We've had weird team constructions solely due to him and the amount of money he commands to do literally nothing. Should only ever have been a sixth man in this league.

Chalk this season up as a failure - rebuild next year. Wipe the slate clean of basically everyone.

Just remember CJ was the 4th or 5th coach asked to do the job.

This had to happen after the performance in Tassie both on the court and the press conference. It was obvious with last season's talented roster CJ wasn't up to it and that wasn't going to change with a lesser roster this season.

I do feel a little bit sorry for CJ he was lumped with the 3 year contract of McCarron and as we know he didn't rate him so I suspect he was forced by above to keep starting MM at PG against his wishes, a terrible position for a coach. Then having to put up with DJ's demands and dummy spits too. Worse thing the Sixers could do is bring him back now he showed at SEM he's cooked.

CJ declaring Flowers would be our starting PG and then seeing him get utterly humiliated at the point in that early pre-season game against Brisbane gave the impression he really had no idea what he was doing. A long time player with a lot of success and he coached like he had never seen a game before.

Not keen on Ninnis this is really a sop to the fans it should've been Simpson getting a go to see what he can do, we know what Ninnis can do from last time he was the coach and although he had unfortunate circumstances happen both seasons, we did end up with the club's first wooden spoon with him (Marty Clarke added to the collection), Ninnis never inspired much confidence.

https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/39049986/nbl-cj-bruton-adelaide-36ers-mutually-part-ways

Interesting quotes in this

Zodiac, it sounds like Simpson is part of the problem though. I think Ninnis is the right move for now.

Mutually agreed lol Yeah I could see CJ storming into the owner's office first thing in the morning and demanding to be fired.

There's also been significant frustration among the playing group in assistant coach, Craig Simpson, sources said.

Earlier this week, Bruton received pressure from the team's decision-makers to shake up the playing rotation, sources said.

Some of the team's veteran players were likely to be the victims of that shakeup, sources said.

The decision to part ways with Bruton comes on the back of the 36ers entering talks with Dejan Vasiljevic regarding a potential multi-year extension, sources said.

Absolute shambles though the stuff coming out.

"There's also been significant frustration among the playing group in assistant coach, Craig Simpson, sources said.

Earlier this week, Bruton received pressure from the team's decision-makers to shake up the playing rotation, sources said.

Some of the team's veteran players were likely to be the victims of that shakeup, sources said."

NBL level management have no business instructing coaches. What does this even mean anyway? Flowers, Marshall and Galloway are to get more minutes at the expense of who?

There's been rumors of some players and their egos are way too big for their on-court performance which is another issue. Mr. Flowers has been overheard that he's too good for this league - is that honestly true? Not really impressed with his overall performance. With all the talk about him going to the NBA - maybe he's pushing some of his teammates wrong buttons and needs to learn at his young age about being humble.

Is this something that Bruton just couldn't control?

Dech doesn't look like his usual self and not playing as well as he use too. Something is amiss here.

With the quotes and previously known frustration with Simpson, it's a wonder why they didn't also move him on as well (was he signed for more than 1 year?).

Give Ninnis the interim role and elevate Lake to a full-time AC.

Will be interesting to see what on court changes occur (and if the rotation significantly shortens).

3 players had been told they will not be playing again this season.
That decision was allegedly not from the coach
1 had been told not to expect any minutes from here on but wasn't being benched like the others.

Q Anon, that is an absolute farce. This isn't the NBA where GMs make decisions like that, and owners and management (Who seem to know nothing about basketball anyway) should stop pretending as if they are.

The season isn't even technically over. Are we even half way through it yet? In any case, what gain is made by promoting more youthful player who likely won't be around next season anyway? Do they think there is a draft or something? This isn't some washed up veteran team that is counter intuitive to the future direction, it makes no sense at all. Adelaide should just focus on playing there best team and their best basketball. They're actually only three games out of fourth spot right now.

My take is

Players were notified yesterday of the instructions regarding playing roles and minutes

Late last nigh the players have decided that isn't acceptable and delivered an ultimatum. That combined with the suggestion DJV would not re-sign with CJ as HC was enough to make the call.

The problem is, the root cause of the problems isn't changing. The good thing is the players have backed each other.

"That decision was allegedly not from the coach"

Players have games/performance triggers in contracts maybe? And the owner is just deciding to tank the year and pay as little as possible from here on out? Not sure how NBL deals work and if that would be a thing or not.

So players don't like CJ.
Management doesn’t want certain players playing.
CJ wants to play the certain players still.

I’m guessing the scenario is between management CJ and players they all are disgruntled with each other?

What’s the likely conclusion here? Everyone just leaves unless they’ve got no other option?

Next year could be in ruins already.

Depending on which 3 players were told, who knows the management may have been finally correct about something

I want the 36ers to shorten the rotations to

Humphries
Wiley
Galloway

Flowers
Marshall

Vasiljevic
Kell
Cadee

the rest can sit, and if they dont like it they can leave and be replaced with enthusiastic young players who would be grateful for a NBL roster spot.

If Flowers does have a bad attitude then hand him a plane ticket, but from atleast what ive seen in games he seems to try hard and actually at times provide some dynamic play and give more than many others.

Ninnis hopefully is in a place where he can insist on doing it his way with management, which it appears CJ couldnt, especially if hes not after the long term gig, he should just say this is what im doing, if you dont like it sack me too. Unfortunately any coach who comes to the 36ers will need that kind of approach and will need to insist on roster control.

"3 players had been told they will not be playing again this season."

Could that also be managements way of telling CJ to tighten up his rotations and stop playing every player each game? And CJ's response to that is don't tell me what to do on gameday and if that's an issue then I will walk.

Zodiac, it's clear that Simpson isn't the right guy. His recommendations on roster saw signings of Kell, Franklin and Smith-Milner i'm told. This combined with the constant standing at games in what looked to be a constant audition, plus rotations was always off. Hard pass on him.

Agreed with all of that Jonno!

I don't know why DJV would want to play for Adelaide without things improving quick culturally IMO.

Hopefully we see in the offseason:
1. Get a new slate of coaches
2. Retain Humphries, DJV, Galloway, Marshall, Cadee
3. Sign good imports at PF, SF and PG.

That’s your 8 player rotation.

Find a role player shooter and big that will do the dirty work. That’s your 10.

Grab a good character college player for #11.

DJV seems like he wants to be "The Guy" on a team and if 36ers management are to the point where they're letting him have roster input I can see that appealing to him.

Hooper, I made that post before I read the ESPN article so didn't know the players weren't keen on Simpson. I knew he was responsible for the signings of Franklin (coached him in China) and Kell & TSM (coached them at SEM). As bad as the Franklin signing was I don't think Simpson can be blamed for management giving Franklin a $200k USD contract guarantee. Sure he must've gone in to bat for him but those decisions come from above.

We started the season badly and then once Simpson started to take more of an aggressive sideline role during games things turned around, coinciding with the DJV signing admittedly and recently it seems like he's taken a more subdued role on the sidelines again and we're now back to playing like garbage.

If Simpson has to go fine, I didn't rate Kell at SEM and was shocked we offered him a contract given how mediocre he was last season, surprise playing exactly the same with us a couple of pretty good games, some really bad games and more injuries and mediocre games. That Tassie game I can't remember the last time a starting import went scoreless in a game. Disgraceful.

Anyway Ninnis isn't the answer to anything so hopefully we're able to land Gleeson next season and give him the control over the roster that he desires.

Ninnis is only a stop gap, I dont mind him as an assistant if it works for the new coach or just working with some of the younger guys and building links with the best young SA talent.

Simpson will hopefully also go, he seems to have too much say and largely responsible for many of the stuff ups this season, neither Franklin or Kell should have been signed, even though Kell has had some ok games along the way.

Im hoping we can get either Gleeson or Buford going forward and give them full control of the roster and basketball program.

I'd say this shitshow has zero chance of snagging Gleeson.

The 36ers have been in talks with Gleeson for a while even back when he was in the NBA. He was offered the SEM job before Kelly and knocked it back due to not wanting to mess with his Raptors contract which expires at the end of this season.

So Gleeson will be looking for a job next season, Rillie still has a year to go on his Perth contract and now the Wildcats are balling too so he'll likely need to leave Perth. He supposedly wants full control over the roster, the Sixers can give him that and lines of communication having already been established with him.

Doesn't mean it's guarantee but if Perth isn't available not too many other clubs would be willing to give him total control, Sydney & Melbourne obviously wouldn't and unlike say Illawarra we do have an owner who is willing to spend, like he did last season.

The whole organisation needs to fix the structure and make sure it's adhered to. It's hard to separate facts from rumour, but the constant talk of Owners having too much say in gameday decisions, Assistant coaches being overbearing and now allegedly DJ asserting influence he shouldn't have. Cut all that shit out. Fix the structure so that everyone stays in their own lane and does what they're employed to do. Get someone who can coach and inspire the players and then you'll be far more likely to have consistency and maybe even success rather than the constant confusion and poor communication resulting on a revolving door of players and coaches coming and going.

Phil Jackson could get the job and there would be zero chance he has autonomy to do his job let alone select the roster.

Adelaide is poison and everyone knows it except for one.

Gleeson has said on the record after Illawarra contacted him that his next adventure will be in Europe

Sure he's going to say that he's got to create a market for his services. He might not be coaching Adelaide next season but I highly doubt he goes to Europe. He wouldn't last long over there, zero control or leeway for bad performance. He's a big fish in a small pond here.

This situation is where reputation impacts the club negatively.

Players know how Creek and DJ were treated and they all know what has happened in the past 24 hours.

Coaches know what happened to Joey and Conner. Ownership will need to look overseas to someone who is looking for chance to be a HC. Getting a local coach will face the same issues that led to CJ getting hired.

Unless the offer to coach is so financially viable I cant see a serious experienced coach willing to come to Adelaide.

Illawarra has spent more than Sixers, there owner is loaded, Gleeson also said he hoping to coach OS before finishing in Australia.

Rucker wanted the team to give Bruton after the festive period to see if he can turn things around.

What exactly gives Rucker a reason to believe Bruton has something else in the bag?

Lowery blames the players and suggests they quit on the coach. He had a similar position when Jackomas exited.

Ninnis is not the really the answer, to me signals the White Flag for this season.

We are at the half way point of the season, it looks like 14 wins is required to get into the play ins. Which means the Sixers need to win 10 of their remaining 15 games. However, the Sixers have a very bad percentage and would even lose out to teams like Cairns and Brisbane, so the Sixers essentially need 15 wins, which is 11 of their next 15 games.

Bruton was a mistake from year 1, you spent big money last year to get no where with Bruton.

Now you have to pay him out for next season as well.

This team has always meddled with roster construction, I see no reason why a coach that demands full control would believe the ownership would concede full control.

I didn't think he would go to the NBA either....

Lowery thought Ninnis hadn't coached before hahaha.

Interesting point though made on the podcasts though, DJV comes in and massively dictates terms - that doesn’t sound conducive to a successful club.

Do we get sucked in by the desperation and idea of a good scorer re-signing, or do we ignore that, focus on character and possibly have zero Australian elite talent on the club?

There’s no real upwards trajectory at this rate.

Rucker and Lowery are filling the Homocide vacuum. At least Corey was factual in most of his rants or purely just opinion based. Rucker and Lowery are wanting to pass opinion off as fact it seems.

The players meeting was already arranged prior to DJV arriving, it was postponed awaiting to see if he was playing or not. It wasn't called by him as some in the media claim.

Star power players do dictate plenty, see Lebron as an example.

Bruton is in his last year of a 3 year deal so promoting Ninnis wont cost extra. Perhaps they elevate Casella or Maher works home games as a favour.

At least Ninnis will coach with a Zero F's and will command a play hard get minutes mentality.

I think DJV is here primarily to pump up his value for a bigger contract elsewhere.

His play hasn't exactly translated to winning so the next best thing for him is to show he is the main man.

He is talented no doubt and can be a major contributor as a scorer, but I am not sure about building around him.

DJV would probably benefit greatly as a Cotton under Gleeson's flex offence. But is Gleeson interested?

I see similarities between McCarron before and after coming to Sixers, and Vasiljevic before and after. Both were helped to look good, were brought in to be the money men, and both have generally been underwhelming apart from some cameos. In Vasiljevic's case, he also had his injury take away a lot of his momentum and confidence.

Neither is good enough to build a roster around in terms of providing a consistent high level of scoring (or setting up scoring), and neither is a good defender.

I didn't think he would go to the NBA either...

Hoopie, I don't like the sound of DJV dictating roster spots either but right now any port in a storm. If he's willing to re-sign I'll take it because we've really only got Cadee, Dech and Marshall under contract for next season and I doubt players will be kicking the door down to sign with us.

Keep in mind too DJV and Humphries are good friends, probably a big part of the reason DJV was willing to come here so if he re-signs good chance Humphries might too. Those two is at least a good start and something to build around.

If the edict regarding players not playing came from above the coach, how does sacking the coach resolve it? That makes no sense.

Well Flowers seems pretty happy with the news going by his Instagram post.

Fair point, Zodiac

Well Flowers seems pretty happy with the news going by his Instagram post.

"Earlier in the season wasn't he also liking posts of people calling for CJ's firing?"

Yep, but I don't think he was alone there and I think he got the hint pretty quick why that's a silly thing to do (on your main account at least)

For those who didn't see/don't use Instagram, it's just a picture with the caption "made it through the storm they ain't think that i was goin prevail..."

I haven't been massively surprised by anything he's said/done to be honest, so these social media things don't bother me a ton. I'm mostly judging him with how he plays and for the most part I think he's worked hard on the court and played pretty decent in the minutes he's been given.

That's true and I too have liked what I've seen from him on the court he brings a lot of energy tries to make things happen more so than some of the others on the team. Not a PG or a great shot, notwithstanding one hot game.

But I don't know if it's true or not but I think someone said on here at the time he signed with us he had bounced around at like four different high schools over there? That would set off alarm bells for NBA teams.

" If the edict regarding players not playing came from above the coach, how does sacking the coach resolve it? That makes no sense."

Rookie mistake to expect sense from the 36ers.

That's why I said it appears as though management, coach, players are all against each other. No alignment between the three factions.

This makes Simpsons position awkward doesn’t it?

Rucker and Lowry have been a downright unbearable listen the last month or so, so much bluster and bullshit. Lowry in particular keep persisting in his attempts to be a home brand version of Homicide.

Despite the shitshow, do we really think Trev would turn down Adelaide if they met him on asking price, contract length and control of roster? With JR's turn of form, I say Trev accepts.

Damon Lowery is light years ahead of Homicide with his commentary and opinion on the NBL. While he comments to get a reaction there is substance in his thoughts. Homicide was a parody of circus act. All show without any value.

Agree, Rucker and Lowery have been good, it's their opinion, you don’t have to agree with it , I think they are on the money a lot.
I’m waiting to hopefully hear CJ side of the story.
Re Gleeson, if he’s waiting to to see what is about at seasons end, will the Sixers wait and then if he says no, where is the next coach coming from.

So Herald Sun says CJ was called into a meeting and told to stop playing McCarron, Cadee and Deng, bring Humphries off the bench and play Marshall and Flowers more.

Also said that CJ was too nice in that he relented and let Craig Simpson design the offense around Kell and Franklin a few weeks into the pre-season, which then all got scrapped when they realised Franklin wasn't gonna cut it and basically confused and pissed players off as they started the season with no real plan.

Sounds like Ninnis is gonna follow orders though, so I'd expect to see Marshall as the starting PG and maybe Flowers the first off the bench. Guessing that means Galloway is the start C if Humphries is coming off the bench.

Can the herald Sun article be copy and pasted please?

Thanks LaPark but a few things don't jive with that. Olgun said earlier this season CJ doesn't rate McCarron and wanted a more dynamic PG and Humphries is very good mates with DJV so demoting him to the bench would be a good way to piss off DJV.

In saying that Humphries has been a bit disappointing this season and seems to have problems controlling his emotions. Seems to pout and mentally check out of games often. Probably does need a bit of a kick up the backside though.

Another thing I know he's a South Aussie and all but I've never understood the obsession with Nick Marshall. Probably worse players in the NBL but he's got no business starting at this level, fortunate to even be on the roster IMO.

"bring Humphries off the bench"

Just read the article and I'm traumatised by the sheer absurdity of this organisation.

Why the fk would they want to do that? He is Adelaide’s most efficient player and when he’s off they suck down low in defence and their offence turns to crap with zero ball movement.

So we can rule out Humphries returning next year then.

I love how they go out and get Cadee as the culture guy and then proceed to cut him out. What a dumb thing to do. He’s also contracted next year isn’t he?!

What do they gain tanking and putting Flowers forward when he’s not in Adelaide next year anyway?! Just the publicity aspect?

I do feel a bit for CJ, he got screwed for being a nice guy, clearly.

That article reads like a car crash for Adelaide in so many ways. Whenever Q Anon posts it is negative and it stings because we know it’s knowledgeable and representative of this club at the moment.

So very draining.

Humphries should still be the starting C as he can make an impact as an inside presence defensively.

What is the benefit of making Galloway the starting C? Galloway is more of a help defender than someone that can match up against opposition bigs.

Next game is Cairns, I'd prefer a Humphries taking on Wardenburg than Galloway.

@KET both Cadee and Deng are contracted for next year, maybe that's why they're benched? Get 'em to go look elsewhere for next season.

Seriously why would Gleeson join this?

If I were Gleeson my demands would be:
1. Be the top paid coach in the league;
2. Commit to x amount to spend on players and be competitive;
3. Commit to having final say on roster and complete say on-court;
4. Commit to having final say on coaching roster and salaries; and
5. A 5 year deal with Gleeson-only options after each year so that he can bail if anything weird happens.

Not for a minute do I believe the 36ers are capable or willing to do *any* of those 5 things let alone all 5.

Playing Flowers more makes some sense because you hyped him up to the fans, and the fans want to see more of what he can do under a different coach.

More importantly, he is a very visible Next Star, and not giving an NS minutes or junk minutes when everyone came in with different expectations has potential implications for any future NS's.

I am not suggesting giving him 30 mins a game, but he should get more than 12 MPG unless he is playing like crap.

You'd want those things at a minimum.

Imagine selling to a coach that you're part of a 3 man commitee when it comes to basketball decisions, with one of those guys being the owner who has no experience in basketball and the other being a CEO who has no experience in basketball.

CJ is better off not being a part of that anyway. I feel for him, and it's clear he can't coach (yet), but NBL management who actually don't know anything about basketball, should NOT be making such demands. As previously said, the season is still salvageable however unlikely, so I cannot see how an emphasis on opportunity for younger players has any influence on future outcomes. Is there any thinking going on at all here?

Seems like management got it half right, i agree with stop playing McCarron and Dech, which i guess is progress for them.

But Cadee gotta still play as hes our only pg on the roster so keep him coming off the bench, and if you dont want him playing then let CJ sign the import PG he has wanted for 2 years.

Keep Humphries starting for sure though as he and Vasiljevic are our best Aussies

Management are clearly the issue.

Im sure CJ will be relieved to no longer have to deal with them.

CJ seems to be too nice, let management dictate the roster etc and an assistant coach have wayy too much say in Simpson, i bet Vickerman, Gleeson types would never ever let these things happen.

Management will need to smartern up and if they can get a guy like Gleeson give him what he wants and stay the hell out of the way.

CEO on tonight's news stated they need to look at recruitment, no shit Sherlock!

Who was in charge of recruitment??

It didn’t sound from what he was saying that CJ was recruiting players

If that’s the case then the CEO should leave as well and that clubs in more trouble than what I thought

I haven't read the article but those that have seem to all be on a bit of a "poor CJ" tip. Which clearly suggests where the info for that article came from.

Before we start crying crocodile tears for poor harmless nice guy CJ lets remember this was his third year as a coach and in those 2+ seasons he never showed any coaching ability whatsoever. If he wasn't in on roster decisions, which I seriously doubt (hello Galloway), that's on him. No serious HC is going to let clueless fuckwits above tell them whats what on player signings.

@MRI

It's noted in the article that Kelly, Barbato and CJ were the key decision makers on recruiting, but I suspect, especially around the 3rd import, there's been a big disconnect between CJ and the other two with how he swatted down questions about that with "You need to speak to ownership/management about that"

Said there needs to be a basketball guy who can help construct the roster while being the conduit/filter between coach and owner/CEO management.

There were multiple instances where even a casual fan could tell there is a disconnect between CJ and the front office.

The most glaring and recent one being CJ going to Summer Camp looking for an elite PG, only to get Kell III from SEM.

Just got the full article, the owner needs to step away from those decisions and the CEO who has zero basketball background also, needs to hire someone who has a clue

I have seen district clubs with parents run better than this clown show

Barbato looks like he's doing a fine job commercially, but it looks similar to how personnel decisions got mismanaged when the Crows hired Andrew Fagan who had no Aussie rules football experience and had been in Rugby Union his entire professional career.

Rucker and Lowery on NBL Now, while making some valid points are also letting CJ off the hook a fair bit. Rucker saying we should have given CJ through December to see if he can turn it around, and then if it works out we know he's out long-term coach, but ignoring the fact he hasn't shown a heck of a lot over 2.5 years to suggest he has the talent/skill to do be that coach. The Tasmania game was the straw that broke the camels back, but it was trending downwards massively even before that. He's almost lucky SEM were so bad we managed that comeback, as that was just a sample of the type of basketball we were producing under him. Had all the talent in the world last year and couldn't even get a playoff spot with it.

Rucker advocating for hiring Joey Wright back if Gleeson doesn't want the job as well.

Rucker also said a couple of weeks ago he was hearing CJ was going to get a contract extension.

Even though hes contracted to the Cats I think the frustration of not getting any minutes and the 36ers need good players, Ben Henshall would be a target for them. Alot of minutes available to him. He can score and play as it showed in the pre season, just Rillie is not playing him at all.
Id be mad/sad if he went but wouldnt blame him.
I guess it all depends on who leaves/retires at season end.

According to this CJ still had another year to go on his contract, we didn't give him a 4 year deal?

Bruton, who led the club since 2022 and was under contract until the end of next season, notched only 27 wins from 67 games in charge at the 36ers, who have failed to reach the playoffs since the 2018-19 season.

He is the second successive coach axed before seeing out his contract with the 36ers - he replaced Connor Henry, who had a year to run on his deal.

The Adelaide 36ers are pleased to announce that CJ Bruton has been appointed as Head Coach on a three-year deal.

Sixers fans: we have got our man. Bring on NBL 21-22, and let's once again bring glory and honour to our beloved hometown".

Also we fired Joey Wright with two years still remaining on his contract so no idea who's doing the fact checking on official NBL articles.

In 21-22 we were paying three HC's, Joey (year 5), Henry (year 2) and CJ (year 1).

This current saga really started when they sacked CH on eve of season with no plan b in place and getting CJ because no one else wanted it. He was probably surprised he got it. Then he's been saddled with others roster decisions, plus coaches. Shit, they even had Jamie Petty there passing out the whiteboard.
Would be interested to know if they've sounded out other coaches in the past couple of years, Mr Magoo could see CJ wasn't up to it.
But they're seriously going to have to overpay to get a coach or locals to come to this club. They're really making the Pistons look like a model franchise compared to this dog turd of a club.
Humphries can be a difference maker, but he's only going to decline in the near future. DJ is fine as your 3rd best local with a strong coach and playing group able to reign him in when he gets trigger happy. Constant revolving door in the import spots. Players like Drmic, McVeigh etc may not be stars but they could have been those constants for the club, instead they walk. No SA talent is developed to play at this level lately. Underspending Cairns has better young talent, coach and culture. Expansion teams have been more successful.
I'm still amazed that spectators actually show up to home games and they actually pay.

I worry with DJ they see him as the #1 guy on a team and are willing to build around him as that guy to get him to stay.

Come on Scotty, this can be your year. Start Mitch on the pine and listen to the crowd roar

I just noticed a third error in that NBL article:

who have failed to reach the playoffs since the 2018-19 season.

Phantom, why are you of the belief that Humphries will soon decline? He's 25.
I think he’s got at least 5-6 seasons left in him at least.

Time to give Dean Demopoulos a ring and see if he wants to come back to the NBL, alright

Nothing will change while Kelly is owner - he's your typical career CEO who has no idea in the real business world - going from one extreme to the other in the form of JvG as GM and then no one at all.

Time to give Dean Demopoulos a ring and see if he wants to come back to the NBL, alright

Kelly certainly the only constant since the rot has set in. I wonder if Ninnis will embrace him still sitting just behind the bench carrying on like a cheer squad nuffy every game.

Adelaide has been constipated for too long. This is just the first laxative.
Humphries has shown glimmers of what he can still do. DJV has been a shot in the arm and we should hang onto him. McCarron needs to be shown the door, as does some management, but I don't pretend to know the remainder of the coaching team so I leave it to others to speculate there. I love the club, but it's heartbreaking watching it fall apart.
I think the best we can hope for is an invigorated attitude, some solid signings but not dumping all the cash on one Hail Mary pick, a sympathetic coach who can see potential and wants to do a dirty dozen-esque job to turn us into a championship team after pulling us out of the trenches. I'm based in Melb, but Adelaide are generally (as a city) fickle supporters, and their support will wane and folks may even walk away/switch off if this keeps up; which would be a disaster for basketball.

I wouldnt blame Kelly alone for the state of the 36ers as any long time supporter remembers quite well the period since their last Championship. Except for a few years when they have made the finals, there have been many poor seasons during the past 20 years, most before Kelly bought the Team.

Yes there have been many perceived mistakes but we at least still have a team in Adelaide. Hopefully by finally taking action in parting ways with Bruton, it is the start of something better. More cuts or non renewing of contracts should be next. Time will tell and I guess what happens on Saturday night will see if they are serious or not about change.

The concern is Ninnis has been put in place to carry out the basketball plans of two non-basketball people!

While there might be a short dead-cat bounce, it's hard to see it being a happy camp if roles are not being determined on merit and what's best for the team by someone who knows what they're doing.

Tough gig for Scotty, if he succeeds he'll have done a bloody good job.

@ Ushiro, exactly, there isn't to many millionaires sitting around to buy basketball teams, fans have sometimes got to realise that owners want there say, better having a team than no team and again to fair the owner, he did signed JVG who is supposed to be a basketball expert.

JVG is a long way from a basketball expert! Getting a Basketball GM appt wrong isn't a valid reason to do away with the position and just wing it.

Once bitten twice shy, I'm hearing you but they don’t grow on trees either. Get bevo to put the squad together, any other suggestions?

Would Rupert Sapwell be someone they sound out for the coach position? I know he just got back into coaching with the NBL1, I'm just trying to think of names they'd potentially be capable of bringing in. I know Sapwell has worked at Trinity College for ages now and hasn't been keen to leave there, so no idea if the job would appeal to him or not, but if they go for a younger team he could be one to look at?

Good to see Brett Maher at training today addressing the group.

he did signed JVG who is supposed to be a basketball expert.

So are Adelaide going to have Dech and Cadee contracts on their books next year?

It would be lovely if they could manage a year where they aren't paying someone not to pay or coach.

Yes they will because that is the point of the contract

There is a story getting about that there was a thought that if the players dont play they dont get paid. Thats the level of thinking around the club.

Use the per diem issue. The agreement is the players get $22 per day. The club goes to the ATO to see if they can or should be paying it. They dont go to the NBL or the PA because they know what the answer is, pay what is owed.

Sneaky is one word, underhanded is another.

This is a club that even tried to sue a player who wasn't contracted.

Add the contract that Olgun mentions in his latest podcast that was withdrawn to Deng Acouth and this is sideways from top to bottom. There is an air of contracts dont mean anything , payments arent being made that clearly should be and promises are being broken. No wonder guys have been playing like dont care.

The per diem thing has been unsettling people all year along with other suggestions. Just one example of things that have people questioning what they have got themselves into.

One thing I will say is that Adelaide must have the greatest fans in the league IMO to keep showing up in droves despite the complete cluster fuck that has been the past few years.

Sixers contracts for next season
Cadee, Dech, Marshall, Flowers (next star contract if doesn't enter draft).

Sixers need to hire a gm and build around contracts.

It doesn’t take much to contend again - they went from last to gf in one season under Joey.

LaPark - Sapwell won 4 games in NBL1 last year. He is not the answer. Plenty of better coaches in MBL1 both in SA & interstate.

If some of the stuff re payment is correct by Q Anon, it's surprising they have any wins, who is ever going to play there or coach there.

^ I am referring to the published article that has the details on the per diem issue.

Link

Imagine an owner willing to potentially alienate and entire roster and trash your reputation around the league over $1000 a week.

So they'll alienate or kick out Dech, Cadee whilst having those on the books and then probably complain when they lack the talent it’s all they can afford.

Add that to Olgun suggesting Galloway will probably be the next one that’s talented to find greener pastures and it’s just straight up sad stuff to read.

Bloody idiots are breaking 36ers’ fans hearts.

At this point as a 36ers fan i'm almost at the point of begging Galloway to leave for his own sake as I think he's capable of much more and we haven't seemed willing to give him that chance.

Not one player wants to be in Adelaide

Imagine an owner willing to potentially alienate and entire roster and trash your reputation around the league over $1000 a week.

It's starting to make sense why for some time Adelaide teams have been so inconsistent and lacking heart at times. If your workplace is toxic, you're not going to get the best out of your workers, especially in a high performance setting where you need to be red-lining.

It doesn't take much to contend again - they went from last to gf in one season under Joey.

It is clear that the egos of owner and CEO are far too big to the point where they seem to have lost all touch with reality. CJ being stood down is the right decision as he had showed very little in terms of head coaching ability over the past 3 seas, but it is clear the owner and CEO need to go also or either flip their attitudes 180 degrees and leave their egos at the door.

No reasonable CEO or Owner of a basketball team would think it right to meddle with in game decisions of coaches and substitution patterns. They clearly also have no idea how to recruit either local or import talent based on the past few seasons. The CEO and owner completely have completely trashed the reputation of this proud club, with news about the payment stuff today a further embarrassment.

This type of egotistical delusional management is a disgraceful way to treat 36ers fans who to their credit are still attending games in very healthy numbers. I wonder though, with the complete basket case that the club has been turned into by those in charge, how long this can continue for and whether any recovery can be made in the near future.

Please remember that you are responsible for what you post on here. If I get appropriate legal requests for identifying information, I will comply.

Heard from a very reliable person that the owner was dictating who CJ had to play and not play. Probably best CJ got pushed. He was out of his depth but owners dictating minutes will be bad optics for new potential coaches.

Hard to tell if CJ is any good given what's gone on.

First year 2021/22 - came on board last minute and inherited a flaw roster with Humphries out for nearly all of the season.

Second year 2022/23 - had a talented unbalanced roster with chemistry issues.

Third year 2023/24 - disaster. Wanted an import PG but sounds like got told no and had to play Flowers at point. Deferred to assistant too much who caused issues.

Didn't the owner gets flicked from an asx company for dysfunctional workplace culture?

Correct me on details if I've misremembered, but I wonder if two sliding doors moments for the 36ers after Smyth have been:

1. When they were a few thousand off getting Bevo, and then skimped when he wanted to negotiate travel for his wife or whatever it was. He went on to Perth, and brought in a core that helped them significantly. Adelaide meanwhile went to Ninnis as a back-up plan and then Marty Clarke. Ninnis lost an elim final and then Adelaide missed the post-season four straight years until Joey Wright arrived (four of his first five years saw post-season action).

2. Not sure if you could put it on one incident, but something or things in between Wright having strong Australian talent around 2018 and then getting moved on in 2020. Creek, Sobey-Wright flare up, Kevin White tweets about Wright, etc. Adelaide then had Henry and Bruton, and haven't made a post-season in five years (inc final two Wright years). I can't remember the exact timeline of issues that might pinpoint a key moment.

There's an argument that Sobey, Creek, DJ, etc haven't exactly gone on to win championships (Sobey no post-seasons with Brisbane at all?) but at worst they've been contributors. Keep Wright on track and get the imports to fit that Australian core, and it should've been a strong period for Adelaide. Getting Cleveland for one season but botching it is unfortunate; the teams after Childress would've loved to have an all-court defensive import.

Isaac,

1. I don't remember Bevo being a candidate for the Sixers job after Smyth wasn't re-signed. I do remmeber Boti continually reporting that Ninnis & Smyth were the two final applicants, with Smyth being pissed about having to re-apply for his old job, and then the club choosing Ninnis over him. Then the Julius Hodge situation happened in Ninnis' first season as coach derailing the season with the revelation on here that when Hodge went MIA he was staying at Smyth's place at Glenelg.

2. The key moment was when GK took Creek to the Supreme Court. Creek vowed never to play for GK again, Childress also said he would never play for the club again and Joey who was always a bit firey anyway became even angrier and then seemed to become despondent at games, giving the impression he didn't want to be there either.

I think the final straw for him might've been in what turned out to be his last season, the owner fired Joey's handpicked import Deshon Taylor during the pre-season and brought Jerome Randle back him to help put bums on seats at the new home court AEC, whilst likely knowing full well Randle and Joey had parted on bad terms the last time. No doubt that was to both undermine and entice Joey to move on then at the end of that season the unsavoury text message stuff got leaked by Kev White so Joey was fired with 2 years still left to go on his contract.

The story at the time was that they had a verbal or close to it, and then the coach in question came back hoping to add on something like an allowance to fly his wife over periodically (or him to see her) and Adelaide felt a bit extorted after the verbal, so bailed. By that point, the Groves money was gone so they were budget conscious.

I found an email I got from early 2011ish from someone later corroborating it. Will paraphrase to avoid giving away wording:

Beveridge was nearly done deal to coach 36ers. Came down to just $10k to $15k... 36ers let him go. Bevo happy to land here and build same kinda team he has now.

Yep okay fair enough I didn't doubt you, I have no recollection of Bevo being in the mix to coach the Sixers. Whether it didn't make it out publicly or I've just completely forgotten about it I don't know.

But given Bevo's history I don't think it's that a big a deal. He seems to be a very flakey guy who turns clubs around quickly then falls out with management quits and then disappears again. That's what happened with him at Perth and Illawarra and I remember a few years ago the Kings were considering him and ultimately declined. I don't think he lasted long as a coach in the NZ league either.

Like you said the capitulation of that 2018 GF team right when we were on the cusp of maybe a Perth-like sustained period of success was upsetting at the time and the continued fallout from those events is still hurting the club today.

Bevo being close to a done deal with the sixers was in the media cycle. Below is the thread from the time he turned down the offer:

https://www.hoops.com.au/forum/14872-36ers-coach-rob-beveridge-in-with-a-chance/

I disagree, it was a huge deal. He bought the core of guys who ended up under pinning Perth's sustained success. If it plays out differently some of those Perth titles would have been Adelaide titles.

Bevo didn't last in the NZ league because he fell off the roof of his house and nearly died. Nothing to do with being flaky. My god.

Bevo is a fantastic coach, yes Adelaide missed out there. His NZ stint was cut short as he nearly killed him self falling off a roof, doing some maintenance. His nz side struggled and when he got back towards season end they went on a tare. His best asset is in game situations, really good on the sidelines.

Is Creek out contract at season end? Would he return to Sixers if Mitchell was the coach, they certainly seem close.

Yes Bevo wanted extra dollars that would have seen him bring Martin, Knight, Khazzouh and Rhys Carter

A very costly error in Adelaide's history

Yeah Bevo isn't perfect, every good coach has some downfalls, but overall he is a very talented coach who understands the tactics of the game and gets great buy-in from his players.

The 36ers missed out back then, but I think he'd be a terrible fit for the current Adelaide set-up, he hates management/owners putting their nose into the basketball side of things.

Bevo didn't last in the NZ league because he fell off the roof of his house and nearly died. Nothing to do with being flaky. My god.

Is Creek out contract at season end? Would he return to Sixers if Mitchell was the coach, they certainly seem close.

* while the current owner is there

I suspect the league passed Bevo by in more recent years, but it's hard to deny that he was part of kick-starting that Perth dynastic period. And we're comparing that opportunity to the Ninnis/Clarke era.

In Perth, Bevo's record was champions, lost semis, lost finals, lost finals. The three losses were to the concurrent Breakers dynasty.

Roughly speaking (can't be bothered checking) that core was then part of Gleeson's outstanding record of: champs, lost semis, champs, champs, lost semis, champs, champs, runner-up.

Even just bringing Damian Martin to Adelaide could've been a significant influence on how the post-Smyth era played out.

If Bevo had signed with Adelaide he fades being knifed by Nick Marvin for having the audacity to apply for the Boomers head coaching position.

Bevo didn't last in the NZ league because he fell off the roof of his house and nearly died. Nothing to do with being flaky. My god.

In Perth, Bevo's record was champions, lost semis, lost finals, lost finals. The three losses were to the concurrent Breakers dynasty.

Bevo's finals record is weird because on the one hand he won a title albeit against the weakest Grand Final participant of all time but then had to face (with injuries) a Breakers dynasty and couldn't fade Cedric Jackson's chucking from going in.

What could have been - imagery of a bitter Bevo drinking at the bar mulling over Gleeson be the net beneficiary of his misfortune because Nick Marvin did him over like a dog.

Bevo did apply for the Adelaide gig but turned it down because even then it was a dissorganised mess.

He set the Wildcats up to start their dynasty and then Gleeson carried it on.

Illawarra was okay but having non supportive owners towards the end did not help and he was battling to get the players paid and could not put up with it any longer.

NZ he was loved over there but had the accident when he fell off the roof during recovery from Covid.

He was head hunted for a role in Indonesia and has recently gone over there to start the job.

He is a players coach and earns their respect and they love playing for him and he gets the best out of them.

He has never had a roster of superstars like the Kings and Melbourne generally have and the budget like them but he gets the players playing hard.

Good summary.

I recall he was also a candidate for head coach the Paul Smith-owned Kings at one point?

of the*

Code Sports saying the Sixers are looking at hiring a basketball GM to sit between the coach and CEO.

Finally getting back with the times it seems, although it's reliant on them actually hiring someone good and not another JVG.

Can you post the article?

Most of it is about DJV's recent presser saying he's looking to stay at the 36ers long-term, but relevant part is

Along with its next coach, Barbato said the club would look to hire a general manager of basketball — a role it did not have in Bruton's two-and-a-bit seasons in charge.
"We’re looking at two roles," he said.
“There’s a valid argument to have someone in that area (GM of basketball) in terms of recruitment, in terms of culture, in terms of that link to me, a senior person who is assisting the basketball program.”

Code Sports has been told Sixers management has actively reached out to respected basketball minds in a bid to improve its basketball department and make better decisions.
The club is in the early stages of setting parameters for its coach search.
“We’ll lean on a number of people to help us in the process,” Barbato said.
“We want a good mix of ex-players as part of the process but also some people to help guide us who have been there and done that in the recent past.”

Cue Smyth, Stirling and Gaze.
But they're not going to bring in recent ex players that will tell the truth. Someone like Kevin White would be good to tell the players perspective. But what would be good for the club going forward would expose the inadequacies at the top so they'll bring in yes men that will say the right things according to management, namely they weren't to blame.
Blind Freddy can see what's wrong, too much input and meddling by the owner, hiring the wrong people, no communication between the coach and player recruitment, throwing money at names then penny pinching on things like meal allowances. Bringing in assistant coaches that appear to blatantly undermine the coach (albeit he had no clue). Compare it to Phoenix that sack an import that apparently the liked and was contributing on court because he wasn't putting the team above himself off the court.
Get the right people in place, let the owner sign the cheques and keep the players happy.

I'd say Kelly got burned in Cairns pandering to players and drew the line in the sand, team before player.
Who is available in the player management area and to coach. Which players are out of contract that would be useful.

The Phantom bring in Kevin White? The guy that waited until the end of the season to say anything? Yeah no thanks

Phantom - I was going to mention Stirling and Smyth. It's the NBL equivalent of NBA off-seasons: "[big man] working with Olajuwon" or "[shooting guard] says he got a personal text message from Kobe challenging him to be better". Adelaide must have it as a macro by now.

Phil would be "So, that's how I see it. Of course, I could coach them, if you wanted..." (nervous laugh, voice trails off)

As opposed to every player that didn't say anything?
I really think Ninnis has a chance to get the job. Him stating to the media that he isn't leaving Adelaide sounded like he's putting his hand up for the job. Of course you're not leaving Adelaide Scotty, no-one else wants you and you're lucky to get the AC job anyway. And that you got tapped on the shoulder and doing exactly what management dictates is going to get you brownie points. Yet despite the youth movement, Starling gets minutes, probably because of your local connection with South and you want to keep him happy. DJ is probably shitty because he hasn't been recalled and will join another nbl1 team in offseason, I'm betting West.
Do they ever publish the end of season reviews, that would be some good reading. If they did an honest one this year, extremely good reading.

Ninnis's comments definitely smell like he's angling for the job, though he may not have been publicly auditioning for the job like Craig Simpson was.

Sure enough way to make sure you're looking for a new coach in 2 years time like last time he was coaching here though.

Was Simpson even at the game on the weekend?

Was it Simpson who they said on the broadcast couldn't make the game because of a medical emergency with their child or something? I thought I heard something like that but didn't catch who the broadcast team was referring to.

Angus you heard correct. Simpson's child had a medical emergency and he was not at the game

Phantom I think you're half right about DJ - I hear he will be back at Forestville.

No surprises with any of this from HS today.

Two struggling clubs need a new coach for NBL24 and beyond, but you can take former championship-winning Sydney Kings coach Chase Buford off the list of potential contenders.
Illawarra and Adelaide are on the lookout for coaches after partying ways with Jacob Jackomas and CJ Bruton respectively.
Buford, who led the Kings to consecutive championships in his two seasons in the Harbour City, has been floated as a potential option for the battling Hawks and 36ers.
However, Code Sports has been told the son of legendary San Antonio Spurs GM, R.C Buford, remains locked in on securing a coaching role in the NBA.

It's understood Buford doesn’t see the NBL - where he has already collected two championships – as a step forward in his aspirations for higher coaching honours in America given his prior success in the competition.
Five-time championship-winning coach Trevor Gleeson remains open to offers in the NBL and abroad, but Code Sports understands a move overseas next season is most likely for the ex-Perth Wildcats mentor.
The NBL’s most successful coach – Brian Goorjian – has been linked to the NBL all season, including Adelaide.
It’s understood Goorjian will weigh up opportunities in Asia after next year’s Paris Olympic campaign with

The Hawks and 36ers face a challenge to secure an experienced coach given the lack of success and off-court dysfunction. Multiple coaching candidates have expressed a reluctance to join either club unless significant changes are made.

Will Simpson be back though? I get the feeling he won't. It was interesting how Ninnis conveniently had a substitute just ready to assist. regardless, all the best to Simpson and his family.

You would think Jacob Chance would be ready. Gleeson, Roth and Vickerman are three good head coaches to do your apprenticeship under. I'd be chasing Weaver, though he knocked back the head coaches job to return to the nba as an assistant.

Correct,Bevo was in the running for the Kings job and was advised their was still negotations being discussed for him and he was at the airport and had a phone call with the Kings and then 5 minutes after the phone call the Kings announced Will Weaver as Coach so they were not the most honest group to deal with either.

It sounds like he was the backup plan.

He really has had a bad run in the grand scheme of things.

Jacob Chance is highly regarded but signing in Adelaide could end his career before it even begins...

Herald Sun listing a bunch of names outside Goorj and Gleeson.

---------------
If they really want to lure a big fish from the NBA, the likes of Goorjian's national team assistant and Gregg Popovich’s understudy in San Antonio Matt Nielsen — arguably Sydney’s greatest ever player — is seen as the country’s next-gen coaching star. Former Kings coach Damian Cotter, currently assisting Billy Donovan in Chicago, and Brooklyn Nets AC Adam Caporn also have NBA chops.

Could the Sixers look to the locals making big coin in Asia? Popular 2010 Perth Wildcats NBL champion Rob Beveridge (Pelita Jaya) is off the table after he signed to coach in Indonesia, but Adelaide could sound out the likes of Kiwi luminary Paul Henare (Shimane Susanoo Magic, Japan) or ex-Illawarra mentor Brendan Joyce (Kaohsiung Aquas, Taiwan).

A left-field option might be three-time WNBL Coach of the Year Shannon Seebohm, who is widely seen as one of the best mentors in Australia, having led Townsville to four titles since 2015 — The 35-year-old recently told Code Sports he was happy at the Fire but there are many who believe he deserves a chance in the NBL.
Should the Sixers decide to break new ground, Kings assistant Fleur McIntyre is in her third year in Sydney and is highly regarded, while Liz Mills has blazed a trail internationally.

As far as a GM of basketball is concerned, a 'Chris Pongrass-type’ would be a dream scenario, even if the combination of basketball savvy and experience of the Sydney Kings’ dual-championship supremo is a rarity.

If Caporn and Neilson allegedly turned down the job before CJ chances are they wouldn't want to go near it after the current woes. And would want autonomy on decisions, something ownership would never agree to.
If Brendan Joyce is a candidate, Daniel Joyce would relish a return to the NBL.
Seebohm could be interesting, at least has experience as a head coach
But would say Ninnes would be favourite if he's obeying instructions from above. Has the necessary attributes - cheap, yes man, wants job.

Brendan Joyce (Kaohsiung Aquas, Taiwan).

They looked a lot better today, there is the nucleus of a good team.
Import of top quality, Cadee
DJV, Marshall
—————, —————-
Wiley, Starling
Humphries, —————-
One import, probably a 3 and D guy and back up 5 and 4.

/Cadee
Vasiljevic/Dech
/Marshall
/
Humphries/

Would be a good core for next year.

sunday jason and ice won't be there they'll be bought out

I believe Cadee and Dech are under contract, plus Wiley is an each way option.

i know they are but i think they will be let go off since ninnis doesn't want to play them / management ( Blanchfield norton situation last season )

Ok what about Wiley, surely he'd be worth keeping.

Ok what about Wiley, surely he'd be worth keeping.

Depending on their contracts, I think it's unnecessary to go down the blanchfield/norton route.

Hopefully they get their GM and coach super early on so that they can make decisions on the team and direction.

I’m perfectly fine with:

C Humphries/Backup Big
F Wiley/Backup big
F Import/Marshall
G DJV/Dech
G Import/Cadee

Assuming Dech’s contract is reasonable the Aussie contingent is fine. You get a good PG and an athletic defensive wing with a fast paced strategy and it’s a competitive team IMO.

KET haven't you almost every week been going on that they need an import big and now you have changed your mind?

The reality is with Mccarrons contract expiring and the money going to DJ, the club finally getting an import point guard as well as a few off season recruits this team will be strong next year.

Wiley had a great game the other night and managed to hold our defence together in the paint when Humphries was off the floor. But in most games this season, when Humphries has been on the bench, opponents have gone on a scoring spree. So I'll be watching to see if Wiley can sustain that most games, or if it takes too much out of him.

If Wiley can do enough to cover when Humphries sits, then he is worth keeping because he does bring a lot of positive energy and is quite versatile. If not, then I think KET is right and we need that import big who can play with Humphries, but also defend the rim adequately when Humphries is out.

In the second scenario, since I believe we have to have an import point guard, your last import slot could either go to Wiley or a wing. Perhaps you could get away with an import 3/4 plus Wiley if that new import big could stretch the floor a bit?

Funnily enough, Flowers size and athleticism actually fits the bill as a 3/4 who can stretch the floor. But so far, he hasn't been able to establish a role like that for himself on the team. If he could actually do that, then that would help the team out massively AND probably see him get a higher draft position.

One more point: I thought part of the reason Wiley was more successful defensively at centre on the weekend was that Starling and the guards were doing a decent job of stopping penetration and then scrambling to secure the rebound. So to some extent, Wiley's ability to pinch hit at centre comes down to his team-mates and the coach's defensive strategy as well.

"KET haven't you almost every week been going on that they need an import big and now you have changed your mind?"

With the current team they have, to be competitive they need another decent big man (and point guard if we are being honest). We have given up on that for this season.

For next season, the question would be whether Wiley and Humphries can play a good amount of time on court, noting that through most of this season they've been on the bench for too long.

If they can play longer minutes than the CJ era, have an import 3/4 and a serviceable Aussie big might work?

But we have neither of those in this current team. I’d argue for Galloway but they blatantly refuse to play him.

And there goes Gleeson off the board. Hired by the Bucks as an assistant coach and not a total surprise he's back in the US. He said at the start of the season staying in Australia was at the bottom of his priority list when it came to coaching.