Crosscourt column: All the latest news from around the NBL including Perth’s issues, the rise of the 36ers and plenty more
The coach is under pressure, the star player is all at sea, the import is struggling and the fans have had enough. Go inside the issues at the Perth Wildcats in this week’s Crosscourt column.
It’s a nightmare in Perth, with under-fire coach John Rillie fighting for his job following the club’s lowest drop on the ladder in 19 years.
It’s also the Wildcats’ worst rebounding record in almost four decades.
The Red Army aren’t happy, calling for blood, with Rillie reportedly booed at Perth’s post-game members function on Friday night.
The Red Army has clearly run out of patience after the Wildcats lost their fourth straight game on Friday night to a Brisbane Bullets team missing two of their best players in Shannon Scott and Aron Baynes.
Crosscourt has been told some sections of the Red Army were openly hoping for a loss in the hope it would heap more pressure on out-of-favour second-year coach Rillie.
Fans at RAC Arena booed throughout the game and chants of ‘We want Trevor’ resounded, in reference to the Cats’ legendary five-time NBL champion Trevor Gleeson. Gleeson doesn’t currently have a job and, while he wants to get back to the NBA after his tenure as an assistant in Toronto ended prematurely, Wildcats fans are desperate for him to return.
Rillie – an NBL legend – was booed by a couple of rowdy fans at the Wildcats members’ function following the loss to the Bullets. Regardless of the circumstances, he deserves better, but it’s an indication of the frustration that has fomented among the fanbase.
Rillie was criticised for his demeanour following the club’s recent Pink Round breast cancer awareness game and fined by the NBL for abusing a Phoenix official.
The Wildcats have lacked cohesion on the floor, superstar Bryce Cotton has looked all at sea, recruit Keanu Pinder has been below the standard he set in Cairns and import Jordan Usher has the worst plus/minus in the league through seven games at -84.
Cotton’s wife, Rachel, also publicly criticised the coach and players via social media.
“When there’s no system within the team, and the players don’t have clear roles, not one player has been reliable at the job they are meant to do, it’s pretty hard to thrive when you’re the most heavily scouted player in the team,” she said.
The Wildcats have also been outrebounded by an average of 7.9 this season – the worst by the club since 1984.
Prized Aussie teen Ben Henshall – touted as a potential NBA talent – can’t get on the floor, nor can 21-year-old recruit David Okwera.
The Wildcats billed the lead up to Friday night’s clash as ‘Wagstaff Week’ after he played his 450th on the road last round. The coach wasn’t on board, though, with Wagstaff, who has won six titles as a Wildcat, didn’t have his number called – upsetting many long-time fans who wanted to tip their hats to a legend, likely in his last season.
Culture and tradition has long been the cornerstone of the @PerthWildcats success - not playing Jesse after publicly celebrating his milestone all week was a mistake.
— Lachy Reid (@Lachy_Reid) October 27, 2023
The discontent was best summed up by Perth-based broadcaster Lachy Reid: “Culture and tradition has long been the cornerstone of the Perth Wildcats success – not playing Jesse after publicly celebrating his milestone all week was a mistake.”
Contracted through next season, the disjointed play, poor results and groundswell of anger among the fanbase has left the Wildcats and Rillie in a near-untenable position.
36ERS GIVE BRUTON LIFE:
Adelaide coach CJ Bruton has copped his fair share of criticism for the 36ers’ sluggish start to NBL24, but it’s time to give him praise.
Bruton deserves credit for pulling the trigger and making big man Isaac Humphries a key focal point of the 36ers’ offence.
Since making the move, Humphries has piled on the points with two dominant displays in wins over Perth and New Zealand.
The former NBA big man had 26 points and eight rebounds against the Wildcats while he dropped an impressive double double (17 points and 11 rebounds) in Thursday’s win versus the Breakers.
The recruitment of former Sydney King – Dejan Vasiljevic – has also proved to be instrumental in Adelaide’s turnaround.
Vasiljevic is a natural-born winner, as he has shown in his three games for the 36ers.
The two-time NBL champion has dropped 17, 15 and 24 points while he is an influential leader – on-and-off the court.
Vasiljevic was the instigator of a player only meeting after a big home loss to the South East Melbourne Phoenix in round 4.
The proactive move has resulted in a renewed energy at Adelaide – and it’s showing on the scoreboard.
36ers coach CJ Bruton had high praise for Vasiljevic after Thursday’s upset road win over the Breakers.
“He’s a tough SOB,” Bruton said of his newest signing. “When it comes down to it from a junior to a senior to a pro, that’s who he is and he carries that.
“He’s got the respect from everyone – not only on our team, but in the league. You see what he puts on display, in Sydney he wasn’t able to showcase his ball-handling as much as he is here, with the talent they had on that squad and how they played.
“Seeing him stepping out and shooting the deep ball brought back memories.”
UNITED THE NBL’S BENCHMARK:
Melbourne United are the clear championship favourites.
United’s loaded roster is a class above the rest, as shown in Friday’s win over the JackJumpers in Tasmania.
The imposing front-court combination of Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Ariel Hukporti is the best in the league – and gives Melbourne a major advantage.
JLA is having his way 💪
— NBL (@NBL) October 27, 2023
The big fella is up to 13 points and eight boards at the half 🔢
Catch the second half live on ESPN via Kayo 📺
📺 pic.twitter.com/8oeQ1SEtRb
Throw in stars Chris Goulding, Luke Travers, Shea Ili, Ian Clark and NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova – who will return from concussion this week – and United are out in front as the benchmark.
Back-to-back champions the Sydney Kings shouldn’t be discounted, but at his stage, United is the team to beat.
CALLS TO PACK OUT ROD LAVER:
It’s two weeks until the second Throwdown of NBL24 – but there is a push for the Melbourne derby to be moved to the bigger Rod Laver Arena.
It comes as United and the Phoenix have surged to one and two on the ladder following strong starts to the season.
This has prompted calls for the NBL to shift the round seven clash on November 12 from John Cain Arena to Rod Laver Arena.
Obviously, it isn’t a simple move with deals locked in prior to the season, but imagine the sight of potentially 15,000 packed into Rod Laver for a United and Phoenix blockbuster.
It would be a brilliant result for the NBL – and Australian basketball.
SCHUELLER THE MAN FOR BULLETS:
The Brisbane Bullets have been to hell and back in recent seasons, but some light is finally shining through via new coach Justin Schueller.
The Bullets haven’t made the NBL playoffs since the 2018/2019 NBL season when they lost in the semi-finals to Perth.
In Schueller, though, Brisbane has the right coach and person to take the club back to its glory years.
The former Melbourne United assistant is one of the country’s best coaches with experience in the junior ranks.
Schueller has been a part of the Australian junior programs for a decade, holding the head coach position of the Australian U17 Men for their World Cup campaigns since 2017.
He has coached many current Bullets players, headed by gifted Next Star Rocco Zikarsky.
Brisbane’s upset win over Perth on Friday – without stars Aron Baynes and Shannon Scott – is proof of what the Bullets are capable of achieving under Schueller.
HARVEY THE FINEST FINISHER?
Illawarra’s Tyler Harvey has made a name for himself in recent times as being one of the NBL’s finest clutch players.
Harvey produced a brilliant buzzer beater in Thursday’s thrilling one-point win over the Cairns Taipans.
The American guard dropped a three-point dagger on the Taipans with 0.3 seconds left to secure a remarkable win for the Hawks.
Which one was better?
— NBL (@NBL) October 27, 2023
Last nights game-winner against the @CairnsTaipans or Harvey’s go-ahead bucket against the @NZBreakers 👀 pic.twitter.com/jbHIaeMaHa
Harvey also nailed a clutch three from almost halfway to beat the New Zealand Breakers last season, ironically with 1.3 seconds left the clock.
The NBL asked fans to vote online for which buzzer beater was better- with last season’s clutch shot against the Breakers a clear winner.
As brilliant as Harvey is – it’s fair to say he still has some way to go to surpass some of the NBL’s greatest clutch performers.
NBL’S GREATEST CLUTCH PLAYERS:
Leroy Loggins
Robert Rose
Brett Maher
Andrew Gaze
Shane Heal
Bryce Cotton
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