Pressure building on Adelaide coach CJ Bruton: 36ers out to avoid worst start to an NBL season in 12 years

Adelaide 36ers coach CJ Bruton needs results after two losses to start NBL24 – but the schedule could not have dealt him a tougher hand.

Pressure is mounting on Adelaide coach CJ Bruton, with the 36ers facing a crucial road trip as some of the game’s best coaches wait in the wings.

The 36ers are staring down the barrel of the club’s worst start to a season in 12 years if they fail to beat Perth and Sydney this weekend.

The last time Adelaide recorded three losses to start a season was in 2011-2012 when it finished last with an 8-20 win-loss record.

Over a decade on, the heat is on the 36ers again following two opening round losses and a poor pre-season when they failed to win a game.

The substandard start to NBL24 has heaped pressure on coach Bruton, who needs results to secure his future after failing to make the finals in his first two seasons in charge.

He is also off-contract this season, which has only intensified the urgency for results.

If Bruton fails to win it could prompt the club to act, especially with two of the NBL’s most successful coaches sitting on the sidelines without jobs.

Adelaide 36ers coach CJ Bruton needs results after two losses to open NBL24. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images.

The league’s premier coach – six-time champion Brian Goorjian – is taking a break post the Boomers’ World Cup campaign in Japan.

Goorjian has indicated he would be interested in coaching if an opportunity presented itself.

Perth’s five-time NBL champion Trevor Gleeson is also on the coaching free agency list after parting ways with the Toronto Raptors as an assistant.

It comes as NBL and Boomers legend Shane Heal has already put the red pen through Adelaide’s hopes this season.

“I’ve written Adelaide off – they’re done,” Heal said on the Basketball Show.

The 36ers concede the team is in a difficult position, but they’re refusing to listen to the outside noise.

New guard Trey Kell knows Perth and Sydney is arguably the NBL’s toughest road trip, but he isn’t daunted.

Former Phoenix guard Trey Kell is determined to make an impact at the Adelaide 36ers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The 36ers also defeated the Kings in the Harbour City last season.

“Everyone says it’s a tough road trip, but it’s just two games to me and I don’t look at it as anything different,” Kell said.

“Obviously, they are two really talented teams, but I think every team in the league is talented, regardless of where you go.

“It’s always tough to win on the road, but I think we’re up for the challenge and try and get our first win.”

“The obvious is the offensive firepower that they have,”

“They are one through five and anyone could be the guy to carry them on the night.

“Obviously, they have the guy (Bryce Cotton), who has been carrying them for however long it’s been, so it’s going to be a game where we’re going to have to lock in defensively.”

36ERS’ BIG ROAD DOUBLE:

Perth vs Adelaide at RAC Arena from 9.30pm (AEDT)

Sydney vs Adelaide at Qudos Bank Arena from 4pm (AEDT)

Originally published as Pressure building on Adelaide coach CJ Bruton: 36ers out to avoid worst start to an NBL season in 12 years