Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth says his side will ‘continue to swing’ despite shutting down talks of a dynasty following NBL24 Championship win

While he urged those already thinking about a dynasty to ‘pump the brakes’, Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has made a promise his side will ‘continue to swing’ after being crowned NBL24 Champions.

While he may have stopped short of labelling Tasmania’s maiden NBL Championship win as the start of a dynasty, Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth says his side will ‘continue to swing’ as long as he is at the helm.

The NBL’s newest franchise capped off one of the more remarkable Australian sporting stories in Sunday’s game five championship series win against Melbourne United when they walked away series winners 3-2 in the 83-81 victory.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Scott Roth, coach of the JackJumpers reacts after having a powerade bucket poured after winning game five of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena, on March 31, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

While the spoils of the JackJumpers maiden title will be celebrated for the weeks and months ahead, attention for some has already turned to if Tasmania can repeat those heroics in the seasons to come.

But while Roth – who is locked in as coach until the end of the 2026/27 season – revealed that the majority of the playing group was locked in for next season, he urged Tasmanians’ to stop and enjoy the moment.

“Let’s pump the brakes (on talks of a dynasty),” Roth said.

“We are really far down the road behind the scenes in our progress to bringing guys back and our roster is almost complete (for next season).

“We have a vision of keeping this group together but we have to enjoy this moment and not get ahead of ourselves. The work is the work and what we bring back next year will be in an effort to make sure this franchise is moving in the right direction.”

Often looked at as the underdog of the league, Roth used the win to once again urge those outside of Tasmania to respect his adopted home and said they would continue to strive for greatness while he was in charge.

“These guys have gained respect over the course of each year and continue to grow. It’s not so much about being the underdog but stop punching down at us,” he said.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Fans are seen during the Tasmania JackJumpers NBL Grand Final celebrations at MyState Bank Arena on April 01, 2024 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“The people of Tasmania deserve better. We want to represent them and if we are the underdog we are, but we have every right to be doing what we are doing at a high level and we will continue to swing for as long as I am in charge of this team for the next three years to make sure the people of Tasmania are proud of this group.”

It’s been a hell of a ride for Roth and his side who reached a grand final series in their inaugural season before bowing out in a semi-final series last year.

But even through those two heartbreaking defeats, the 60 year-old’s mentality of wanting to deliver Tasmania its first NBL title since Launceston City Casino saluted in 1981 has never wavered.

“I said when I got the job we were going to win a championship that year and we haven’t talked about it (winning a title) other than the fact that every year we have come in with that same mindset,” Roth said.

“The first year nobody believed me and they thought I was off my rocker. I do believe in culture, in finding high quality character guys and doing the work. I’m not cocky but I believed with the group we put together and the work they were doing together that they were going to get opportunities and chances.

“(The) game four (loss) could have been one of those ones where you drop your head and you can’t survive that but to come back and do it again here and throw a knockout punch and make plays shows the group is incredibly strong.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: JackJumpers players and officials pose for a photo during the Tasmania Jackjumpers NBL Grand Final celebrations at MyState Bank Arena on April 01, 2024 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“My satisfaction (with this win) comes from having people celebrate this team. We hit a nerve with Tasmania in that first year and the fans just kept coming and the relationship between the fans and this team has just been enormous over the last three years.

“So to give something back to the state is highly gratifying for me and I’ve always said I don’t count myself as a coach, more a mentor who’s trying to lead, and to give something back to the state will hopefully be a part of my legacy there.”

The JackJumpers will officially end their championship season at Friday’s MVP awards night with fans no doubt already thinking about going back-to-back despite Roth’s pleas.