Brisbane Bullets interim head coach Darryl McDonald puts team owners on notice, Christmas Day proved a tough outing for the Illawarra Hawks, but it was head coach Justin Tatum’s post-game comments that quickly became a major talking point across the NBL, while Perth Wildcats head coach John Rillie provided a positive injury update on import David Duke Jr.
All of this and more in the latest edition of NBL Daily.
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DARRYL MCDONALD PUTS BRISBANE OWNERSHIP ON NOTICE.
Brisbane Bullets interim head coach Darryl McDonald has made it clear he believes the club’s search for a new coach should end with him, rather than looking overseas.
Speaking at the post-match press conference following Brisbane’s 95–70 loss to the Sydney Kings, McDonald did not hold back when asked about the club’s pursuit of a permanent head coach.
“They don’t need a coach. I’m right here, man,” McDonald said.
“They don’t need to go get nobody else. We keep bringing coaches from the States and doing all that. Stop doing that. It hasn’t worked, man.
“What we’re doing is just overhauling people, overhauling people. You’ve got a coach. I’m right here. I know what it takes to win in this league. I’ve won in this league as a player and as an assistant coach.” he said.
McDonald pointed to the lack of stability at the club as a key issue.
“If you feel the need that you have to go get somebody, okay, understandable. But the club needs stability.
“That’s the one thing we haven’t had – no stability, no continuity. It’s over and over and over again.”
When asked whether he had spoken with Bullets owner Jason Levien about his desire to take on the role full-time, McDonald revealed no direct conversation had taken place.
“I haven’t spoken to Jason,” he said.
“I’m trying to, honestly, trying to get on the call with him. It’s a tough situation.”
McDonald also disclosed that the club has already offered a contract to a US-based coach, following a conversation with Bullets CEO Malcolm Watts.
“I called Mal [Watts] the other day and I said, ‘What’s going on?’ And he said, ‘Well, there’s a contract on the table for a guy in the States. If he takes it, it won’t be till next year,’” McDonald said.
“I know they’re trying to get somebody because we’ve lost sponsors, we’ve lost members, we’ve lost fans, and they think a big name is going to come in here and change things.
“But you’ve already got somebody in the seat. I can get it done if you give me the opportunity, give me what I want and don’t make decisions for me.
“You give me what I want, I win in this league. I know I can – I’ve been there and done it.”
The Brisbane Bullets parted ways with head coach Stu Lash two weeks ago and remain in the market for a permanent replacement.
McDonald snapped an eight-game losing streak in his second game as interim coach with a 99–85 win over the New Zealand Breakers, but Brisbane has since won just one of four games under his leadership.
‘REASSESSED IN A WEEK’: WILDCATS IMPORT RECEIVES POSITIVE INJURY UPDATE
Perth Wildcats import David Duke Jr. has received a positive early injury update after suffering a suspected elbow injury during Sunday afternoon’s clash with the Adelaide 36ers.
Duke Jr. went down early in the first quarter after becoming tangled in a rebounding contest with Troy Brown Jr., immediately raising concern for the Wildcats.
Speaking to the media, Wildcats head coach John Rillie provided an update on Duke Jr.’s condition.
“He’ll be reassessed in about a week,” Rillie said.
“It’s one of those injuries where in the immediate future and how he recovers will determine the severity of the injury, then we try and work him back into it, but at this early stage it’s just like let it settle down and then re-evaluate in about a week’s time.”
Rillie confirmed there were no signs of a dislocation or major structural damage but acknowledged the elbow had reacted.
“As you saw, as far as the dislocation or that type of stuff, nothing that way, but it’s obviously made his elbow angry,” he said.
“So how that settles over the next week and week to two weeks will really determine what the true outcome of it all is.”
While the early signs are encouraging, swelling around the elbow will need to subside before a full diagnosis can be completed and the long-term outcome determined.
With the timing of the injury occurring at a critical point of the season, questions were raised regarding potential roster changes and the possibility of replacing Duke Jr. due to finals eligibility requirements.
“You certainly have those conversations around all of that,” Rillie said.
“How David’s come in, what he’s done for our group, I want to make sure we take care of him first and make sure that situation is dealt with in the appropriate manner.”
Tatum gets technical for clapping umpire | 00:45
Rillie was also asked about the possibility of Duke Jr. not returning this season.
“I don’t look at it that way,” he said.
“In the fact that if we talk that way, and he’s got terrific recuperating powers, he’ll be back on the floor sooner than we think, so let’s really give it a chance to see where it’s at and we’ll go forward from there.”
The situation remains one to watch for the Wildcats, who currently sit fifth on the ladder with an 11-10 record and are beginning to fall away from the top four, with Tasmania close behind.
In Duke Jr.’s absence, added responsibility is expected to fall on players such as Jaron Rillie and Elijah Pepper, who will be tasked with greater on-ball and playmaking duties.
Through 12 games this season, Duke Jr. is averaging 12.8 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game.
While more clarity is still to come, the initial assessment provides cautious optimism for both Duke Jr. and the Wildcats.
‘IS THIS A COMMUNIST LEAGUE’: CHAMPION HITS BACK AT ‘SENSITIVE’ REFEREES
Christmas Day was meant to be a showcase moment for the NBL as the league continues its push to own the festive television window.
Instead, the clash between the Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Kings served as a reminder of how far the defending champions have fallen.
The Kings were in control throughout the contest, recording a 108-84 win led by Kendric Davis, who finished with 27 points and nine assists. For Illawarra, it was another frustrating night in a season that has quickly unraveled. After 19 games, the Hawks sit at 6-13 and are struggling to mount a credible title defence.
While there are multiple reasons behind Illawarra’s decline, head coach Justin Tatum was focused on the lack of respect his side receives as reigning champions following the Christmas Day loss.
“You know, being the champions from last year, in this league, really doesn’t mean anything, in my opinion, as a respect factor,” Tatum said.
“I get my technical foul for being happy that we found a way to get a foul called and the other opposing team could probably do the same thing and just get a smile.”
The incident, where Tatum was tech fouled for clapping Kings captain Xavier Cooks’ foul on Will Hickey, drew strong reaction from Hawks championship player and NBL commentator Damon Lowery on NBL Overtime.
“Absolutely preposterous. I don’t want to hear it about warnings. He clapped as if to say, ‘About damn time. I can’t do that?” Lowery said.
“I can’t sarcastically clap? What is this? Is this a communist league?”
Melbourne United back to winning ways | 00:59
Lowery added that “the referee that blew that tech is too sensitive and that ain’t the first time he’s shown how sensitive he is”.
At the time, NBL commentators were disappointed in the tech call on Tatum.
“They were not happy, the referees I am talking about, with the sarcastic clapping of the Hawks bench,” Derek Rucker said.
“His bench was celebrating the fact they got a call – the referees acknowledge that. They felt it was a bit uproarious.
“(But) if (Tatum) hasn’t said anything, I don’t see why that’s a technical!”
“I love the passion. I don’t think it was derogative. It wasn’t too anyone. He hasn’t said anything!” Brad Posen added.
“It’s a tough one.”
Despite the blunt comments, there remains belief that Illawarra is better than its record suggests. The Hawks have welcomed back Sam Froling and still feature a core of JaVale McGee, Will Hickey and Tyler Harvey. However, as Lanard Copeland explained, the biggest difference from last season is depth.
“Last year when they won the championship, they had two teams,” Copeland said.
NBL Wrap: 36ers are dominant yet again! | 01:55
“They had a quality starting group and a backup unit that could match them. They don’t have that this year and that’s why they’re struggling.”
Illawarra has lost key contributors from its title-winning roster, including MVP-calibre guard Trey Kell III and reliable role players Darius Days and Lachlan Olbrich. Combined with inconsistent output from veterans Todd Blanchfield and Dan Grida, the foundation that drove last season’s success has not been replicated.
There are still 14 games remaining, and while the Hawks sit eighth, the gap to sixth place is just four wins with games in hand on the teams above them. On paper, this group is capable of more, but unless consistency improves quickly, the defending champions risk seeing their season slip away.