NBL news: Video footage reveals truth behind Aron Baynes tunnel blow up with Cairns coach Adam Forde
Leaked video footage of the physical altercation between Brisbane Bullets star Aron Baynes and Cairns coach Adam Forde has exposed the truth behind the heated halftime clash.
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The video of the physical altercation between Brisbane star Aron Baynes and Cairns coach Adam Forde has been leaked, exposing the truth behind the heated halftime clash.
Code Sports has obtained the CCTV footage, which clearly backs up this mastheads’ reporting on the ugly incident.
Baynes leaves the Bullets’ sheds before making a comment at the Cairns coach.
Forde then reacts by approaching Baynes, pointing his finger within close proximity to the Brisbane big man.
Baynes then pushes Forde into the wall before Brisbane players rush in to defuse the situation.
Forde has been cleared of any wrongdoing while Baynes copped a five-game suspension.
TRUTH BEHIND THE BAYNES’ NBL TUNNEL BLOW-UP REVEALED
Brisbane Bullets big man Aron Baynes has been sent straight to a tribunal hearing while Cairns coach Adam Forde is cleared of any wrongdoing, despite accusations he sparked the heated tunnel blow-up between the pair.
The investigation into the clash between Baynes and Forde during halftime of last Saturday’s Bullets versus Taipans game has reached a conclusion after conclusive audio and footage exposed the truth.
Baynes will front the tribunal at 7pm on Thursday night while Brisbane were slapped with an official warning after senior Basketball Advisor Stu Lash claimed Forde acted unprofessionally for allegedly approaching the Bullets star in the tunnel.
And the Logue Down column has more detail.
It can be revealed that Cairns claim Forde was waiting in the tunnel for his assistant coaches, not for Baynes as previously stated by the Bullets.
It’s understood Baynes was already in the Brisbane dressing room after leaving the court for halftime before he walked back out of the sheds again.
Multiple sources have confirmed this is when the Taipans believe the Bullets big man made the first verbal approach in the tunnel.
It’s understood Baynes and Forde engaged in more words before it’s alleged the Cairns coach made contact with the Brisbane centre.
Sources say Forde has denied he touched Baynes.
The footage of the alleged physical altercation between Forde and Baynes is in demand, amid revelations Nissan Arena’s venue operations has experienced multiple Firewall breaches as online trolls attempt to gain access to the video.
The alleged physical altercation has dominated talk all week.
The NBL’s Game Review Panel (GRP) handed down its findings on Wednesday, including handing Taipans forward Lat Mayen a one game sanction reduced to $1550 fine with an early plea (which he has taken) for elbowing Baynes in the throat.
Lash received a warning after his comments earlier this week that Forde was “unprofessional” and deserves “multiple NBL game suspensions” for allegedly approaching Baynes in the tunnel at halftime, sparking a physical altercation and damage to a wall.
Aron Baynes and Lat Mayen have both been ejected after several altercations in tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/zf5nwUylNz
— NBL (@NBL) October 7, 2023
It’s understood the NBL will most likely sanction Baynes for confronting the referees in a rage after copping an elbow to the throat from Mayen.
League legend Andrew Gaze labelled the moment an “over-reaction” during the commentary – and he doubled down on this belief when contacted this week.
“I said at the time that it felt like he (Baynes) wanted to get ejected and I still feel like it would have been appropriate for him to be ejected,” Gaze said.
“He was clearly emotional about the elbow and to me it was an over-reaction.
“We all overact sometimes, but he went a few steps too far.”
The commentary team provided their thoughts on the series of incidents which saw Baynes and Mayen exit the game early. pic.twitter.com/QBPA4jVpkH
— NBL (@NBL) October 7, 2023
Three-time NBL champion Chris Anstey expects Baynes to be penalised for approaching the referees, but he also wants league officials to understand why the veteran big man produced such a fiery reaction to the elbow from Mayen.
“It wasn’t a good look, it was clearly an over-reaction and it needs to be punished, but I have been around overreactions in the past and one thing I like to ask is that there is clearly something else going on,” Anstey said.
“Of course the league will fix the bad look, but I hope they also ask the why as well, especially following Baynsey’s incident at the Tokyo Olympics.
“I hope that he is doing OK and I hope things are good for him because (a reaction) like that isn’t just a basketball act.
“For me, it’s a build up of outside influence as well and it has just hit a tipping point.
“I’m glad it didn’t escalate further and I think the referees did a really good job of managing it.”
The Logue Down column can also reveal league officials have discussed the prospect of the NBL’s tribunal being open to the media like the NRL and AFL.
At present, the hearing is private, but there is a belief that opening it up will only add more interest to the NBL as a league.
WILDCATS COACH FINED
Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie was slapped with two separate fines during his side’s round 1 clash against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The Logue Down column can reveal Rillie received a $500 fine for abusing a Phoenix staff member prior to the clash at John Cain Arena.
It’s understood the Wildcats coach spoke inappropriately to the staffer, within earshot of multiple NBL officials.
Rillie was also hit with a $500 fine for swearing during the press conference.
NBL’S PROSPECTS IMPRESS ON NBA STAGE DESPITE DEFEATS
The results didn’t go the NBL’s way, with two losses against NBA teams, but the pre-season clashes provided a valuable chance for the league’s prospects to showcase their skills in the world’s best league.
This came to the fore during Cairns’ clash against the Washington Wizards, with multiple players impressing.
Five Taipans players scored in double figures, including Akoldah Gak (17 points and nine rebounds) and Patrick Miller (15 points and four rebounds).
Rising Australian guard Taran Armstrong also boosted his draft prospects with a classy display at both ends of the floor against the Wizards.
Armstrong, who is coming off a two-year stint with California Baptist University, had six points, eight assists and three steals.
The boy from Hobart is eligible for the 2024 draft – and is latest showing in front of NBA types – will only enhance his chances.
Sadly, basketball fans in New Zealand and Australia were robbed the chance to watch the Breakers’ clash against the Trail Blazers because the local TV in Portland who had the rights chose not to broadcast the game.
NBL vs. NBA results:
Washington Wizards: 145
Cairns Taipans: 82
Portland Trail Blazers: 106
New Zealand Breakers: 66
36ERS PRESSURE MOUNTS
The Adelaide 36ers have lost four straight games for the first time since 2002, placing significant pressure on coach CJ Bruton to keep his job.
And the whispers across the game keep getting louder.
Bruton is a legend of Australian basketball having won six NBL championships as a player, but he needs wins to remain as the 36ers’ head coach.
He is off-contract at season’s end – and it’s understood if Adelaide keep losing – the club will be in a position to act.
It makes this Saturday’s home game against the Illawarra Hawks a must-win game for Bruton and his embattled 36ers.
Adelaide is also in the mix to strengthen its roster for NBL24.
As revealed by Code Sports, the 36ers have expressed interest in signing championship-winning Sydney Kings guard Dejan Vasiljevic.
Adelaide has a vacant roster spot to fill after parting ways with import Jamaal Franklin and the club is keen to secure a local rather than another import.
Vasiljevic has come into calculations despite having a buyout in his Kings contract after activating the NBA/European out in his contract earlier this year.
It’s unclear if this will hinder Adelaide’s desire to secure Vasiljevic, but the interest in the two-time championship winner is real and there is genuine hope a deal could be done.
NBL great Lanard Copeland has backed the 36ers’ pursuit of the man nicknamed ‘DJ’, but fellow legend Damon Lowery isn’t so sure.
“Bad fit, they’ve got enough guards … how many do you need? That’s not the issue,” Lowery said on NBL Now about the 36ers, who already have a host of guards, including Mitch McCarron, Jason Cadee, Next Star Trentyn Flowers and emerging talent Nick Marshall.
“In saying that it would be awesome to have DJ back in the league, he’s a championship player, he’s a sniper, a walking flamethrower, but it’s not a good fit for Adelaide.
“Let’s say you’re not bringing in another import and if you add DJ to the mix and make it a long-term deal, not just a one-year, half-a-year thing, you could always do worse than DJ – but that’s not the answer to Adelaide’s problems.”
POTENTIAL TOP FIVE NBA PICK READY TO SHINE:
If you’re around in Perth or Sydney this weekend – do yourself a favour and get to RAC Arena or Qudos Bank Arena to watch the Wildcats’ Next Star Alex Sarr.
The 18-year-old Frenchman has looked every bit the predicted first-round NBA draft prospect in the opening games of NBL24.
In fact, Sarr has soared in Bleacher Report’s recent NBA 2024 mock draft, listed as the second pick by expert Jonathan Wasserman.
Wasserman also hailed the Wildcats big man, “the hottest name early in the 2024 draft cycle”.
Sarr has starred off the bench for Perth, averaging over 10 points and five rebounds per game, in just 21 minutes of action.
He is playing against heavyweights Melbourne United – including fellow Next Star Ariel Hukporti on Friday night.
Sarr then faces the reigning champion Kings in Sydney on Sunday. Get to both games if you can before this Next Star joins fellow graduates Josh Giddey and LaMelo Ball in the NBA.
NBL ROUND 3:
Thursday, October 12:
JackJumpers vs. Hawks at MyState Bank Arena from 7.30pm (AEDT)
Friday, October 13:
Bullets vs. Kings at Nissan Arena from 7.30pm (AEDT)
Wildcats vs. United at RAC Arena from 930pm (AEDT)
Saturday, October 14:
36ers vs. Hawks at Adelaide Entertainment Centre from 5.30pm (AEDT)
Phoenix vs. JackJumpers at John Cain Arena from 8pm (AEDT)
Sunday, October 15:
United vs. Bullets at John Cain Arena from 2pm (AEDT)
Kings vs. Wildcats at Qudos Bank Arena from 4pm (AEDT)
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Originally published as NBL news: Video footage reveals truth behind Aron Baynes tunnel blow up with Cairns coach Adam Forde
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