Brisbane coach news: Real reason Bullets sacked James Duncan

Brisbane announced it had “mutually agreed” to part ways with James Duncan but here’s the real reason why the Bullets axed their coach.

Former Brisbane Bullets coach James Duncan lost the playing group, prompting the club to release him.

Crosscourt has been told Duncan’s coaching style and game plan created frustration and confusion.

The majority of the playing group liked him personally, but they weren’t on the same page with his methods and mentalities.

There was also a belief Duncan struggled to make the transition from an assistant to a head coach, in terms of making the tough decisions.

Brisbane was forced to make a move on James Duncan after he lost the playing group. Picture: Getty Images

The idea to part ways with Duncan was floated earlier in the season, but the club didn’t make the move.

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Bullets general manager of basketball Sam Mackinnon is the team’s interim head coach until the club hires a mentor.

It’s understood the club believes Mackinnon’s experience and connection to the players as a franchise legend would serve him well.

This was supported by the assistants and playing group.

In Mackinnon’s first outing — without injured star Aron Baynes and big man Tyrell Harrison — the Bullets were mopped by second-placed New Zealand, the Breakers putting up 65 points in the first half, the second-highest total in franchise history, on their way to a 37-point thrashing, 116-79.

The Breakers were ruthless on the court — and on it — with this zinger on the tweet machine:

👀😅 pic.twitter.com/7oxJsZuMgl

— Sky Sport New Zealand Breakers (@NZBreakers) November 26, 2022

Sam Mackinnon during his first game on the sidleines as interim coach of the Bullets. Picture: Getty Images

Beyond Duncan, Brisbane has had issues dating back to the departure of former coach Andrej Lemanis in 2021.

The club has struggled to be a consistent force for some time, and uncertainty around the head coaching position hasn’t helped.

The Bullets will search for a new coach and finding the right man is paramount, given key stakeholders are understood to feel disillusioned about the club’s direction.

Sacked Bullets coach wanted to ‘stick it out’

—Michael Randall

Dumped Bullets coach James Duncan says he would have loved to “stick it out” in Brisbane as he comes to terms with his departure.

The underachieving Bullets announced the decision Thursday morning after club boss Peter McLennan met with ownership, which includes former NBA sharpshooter Kevin Martin, in the US.

Contacted by News Corp in the hour after the announcement, Duncan said it was “still so fresh”.

“To be honest with you, it’s difficult, it’s tough, the relationships that are built with the players and the community, the fans and the NBL, it’s not easy,” Duncan said after the club went public with the news.

“It would have been nice to stick it out and continue to build on what we’ve been doing because we were trending in the right direction and it’s never been about effort, which has been great this season, guys have all been about it and working hard, it’s just been about trying to find the chemistry, which has taken longer than we anticipated.

James Duncan has been sacked by Brisbane. Picture: Getty Images

“You are based on wins and losses, that’s how your job is and, when you’re winning, you’re at the top of the skyscraper and when you’re losing or expected to win and lose a couple of games, things get tough.”

The well-travelled Canadian has had a tough time in the Sunshine State after taking the reins at the beginning of last season, following a period in Sydney as an assistant coach.

The Bullets finished third bottom in 2021-22 with a 10-18 record as Covid and injuries to key men, including star Nate Sobey, took their toll.

Brisbane opened its chequebook in the off-season, inking high-profile Boomer Aron Baynes and former Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson, but the results haven’t matched that outlay, the club languishing in second-last place with just three wins from nine starts.

Several key players on the Bullets have struggled to click on the court, gun rookie DJ Mitchell had a blow up in training and the club recently parted ways with injured import Devondrick Walker, adding to Duncan’s difficulty.

The Bullets currently sit second-last on the NBL ladder with a 3-6 record. Picture: Getty Images

The Bullets’ released a statement saying the club and Duncan had “agreed to mutually part ways” but, while Duncan would not be drawn on that, News Corp has been told he was given his marching orders.

“JD is a high character individual, and just an all-round great guy, which makes this all the more difficult, we felt the time was now to pivot and take a change of direction,” McLennan said.

“We will work at pace and diligently consider our next steps for the organisation.”

General manager of basketball Sam Mackinnon will be the club’s interim coach.

Duncan said his phone had “blown up” with calls and texts and he would take some time to consider his next step.

“In this sport, These things happen and now I’ve just go to gather my thoughts and see what happens next and see if potentially I stay in the NBL or try to go somewhere else,” he said.

“One door closes another door opens up and so you’re looking for the next opportunity.

“People don’t have to say anything, but for the last hour-and-a-half, two hours, I’ve been getting messages from everybody asking if I’m all right or if there’s anything they can do or just checking on me.

“I hold that dear to me. I’m very much a character guy and that shows a lot of character from people to do that when they don’t have to