Opinion: Why the dysfunctional 36ers must stop bashing their heads against a brick wall

The Adelaide 36ers need to stop bashing their heads against a brick wall. As it stands they are among the most dysfunctional franchises in Australian sport, writes Matt Logue

The Adelaide 36ers need to stop bashing their heads against a brick wall – because as it stands the Sixers are among the most dysfunctional franchises in Australian sport.

Another season in the City of Churches has been plagued by off-court issues between star players and the coach.

It feels like a recurring nightmare for long-suffering Sixers fans, who can only shake their heads as the club’s 23-year championship drought extends.

The problem? It’s multi-layered, but you can start with the 36ers parting ways with six coaches since 2008.

Club legend Scott Ninnis has been sacked twice during this period.

There has been merit in some of the decisions to release coaches, but when will the players also be held accountable for poor behaviour?

Adelaide’s NBL season is at breaking point with details emerging of a locker room feud between a high profile player and coach that prompted secret meetings to save the Sixers’ campaign.

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The coach is an easy target, especially in the era of player power. And for Adelaide it has felt like punting the coach has only been a Band-Aid solution to the club’s issues that run much deeper than just the man with the clipboard.

Take CJ Bruton’s coaching stint between 2021 and 2023 as an example. Sure, Bruton wasn’t perfect, but he had to deal with toxic drama behind the scenes thanks largely to import guard Craig Randall II.

Despite being talented and leading the Sixers in scoring, the volatile American caused multiple issues within the team.

Randall was regularly seen arguing with Bruton and his teammates during games, which created significant chemistry concerns.

The Sixers eventually parted ways with him mid-season, but they should have acted sooner. The monumental damage was already done.

Flash forward to NBL25 and it’s another gifted import guard in Kendric Davis creating issues behind the scenes.

Like Randall, Davis is an elite scorer and playmaker who leads the league in assists and is second in scoring only behind the great Bryce Cotton.

The American can play – everyone can see that – but what you don’t see is the constant chirping with the coach behind the scenes.

Kendric Davis is super talented, but there are question marks off the court. Photo: Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images.

This columnist has been reliably informed that the relationship between Davis and coach Mike Wells is “toxic” and some fear it is beyond repair.

It’s at a point where some within the club believe they both can’t survive. Either Wells goes at season’s end or the club parts way with Davis. Based on the franchise’s recent history, you’d be putting your money on the first option.

Adelaide officials have already announced a desire to re-sign Davis, but why should the club’s culture come second to a player’s talent?

It’s the old mantra that no player is bigger than the club. It begs the question: What do the Adelaide 36ers stand for as a franchise?

That’s the club’s biggest test moving forward.

In fairness to Adelaide, it felt like the management started the year by making what was viewed as a tough but necessary call to sack Ninnis.

But the Sixers need to see their plans through, otherwise they’ll just keep pandering to the playing group.

How Adelaide emerge from this season will set the standard for the coming years and whether they move out of what has been a period of mediocrity.

Originally published as Opinion: Why the dysfunctional 36ers must stop bashing their heads against a brick wall