Just as tensions appeared to be easing, 2001 NBL champion and commentator Damon Lowery has reignited the debate, labelling Adelaide 36ers guard Dejan Vasiljevic “disrespectful” following his comments about head coach Mike Wells earlier this week on ESPN’s Nothing But Net.
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Vasiljevic’s remarks came in response to a head-scratching technical foul Wells received in Game Three of the semi-finals against the South East Melbourne Phoenix, despite Adelaide holding a 17-point lead at the time. The incident drew visible frustration from both Vasiljevic and six-time MVP Bryce Cotton.
“We talked about it before the game we need to stay off the refs. We don’t need that from Mike Wells,” Vasiljevic said on ESPN’s Nothing But Net.
“We were up at the time and he keeps yapping to (veteran referee) Michael Aylen. That’s not the guy to be talking to. As soon as you say something wrong or something that’s going to threaten him, he’s going to T you up.
“We’ve just got to hold each other to a higher standard and Mike knows that.
“He’s just got to chill out and allow the game to keep going and we can ride the momentum.”
According to a CODE Sports report, Wells later approached Vasiljevic over those comments, with sources claiming the exchange between the pair at the Novotel in Olympic Park was not “amicable”, as the coach expressed disappointment over the public criticism.
Vasiljevic addressed the situation at an Adelaide press conference on Wednesday, offering an apology and admitting he “made a mistake”.
“There was no going at each other or negativity. (It) was more like, ‘how can we help the team push the needle forward?’,” Vasiljevic said.
“He (Wells) was just like, look, he knows I’m in the media space and I’m an honest person, and maybe I should have worded (it) a little differently.
“If you saw my reaction (to the technical), Bryce’s reaction. It’s the heat in the moment. Like, okay, we got mad. But again, it’s holding people accountable.
“I made a mistake, I shouldn’t have gone public with it.
“I’ve been part of the media now and, when I get asked the question, it’s honesty.
“If that was me getting a T, he’s going to tell me the same thing. It’s holding each other accountable.”
Lowery, who has had recent run-ins with Vasiljevic, added further fuel to the situation, saying he was offended by the comments and would have taken a far tougher stance as a coach on the latest episode of NBL Now.
“Mike Wells and DJ [Dejan Vasiljevic], that was unfortunate. And I will go even further is to say, I’m offended on behalf of coaches and leaders around the world. Why? Because if you got a player, they somehow don’t think it’s a bad thing to go on national televised TV, to go on the worldwide leader in sport and kind of throw Mike Wells under the bus. Who does that?” he said.
“It’s classless, it’s disrespectful. And yes, I know he’s came out and backtracked a little bit. I’m yet to hear him say the word ‘sorry’ myself, but he said he shouldn’t have said it.”
“I’m going, ‘I think it’s damage control now’, but Mike Wells is now going like this, ‘Are you with us? Are you with me?’ Doubt now has to be on his mind.”
“I’m telling you right now, Mike Wells, you better than me, man. ‘Cause if that was me coaching, this dude don’t play a second, not a second. You better than me.”
Lowery also questioned the timing of Vasiljevic’s comments, noting there were three days between the incident and the interview.
“Now, that’s another thing, right? So three days in between the incident. I get having some frustration in the moment. Like Bryce Cotton, he slammed the ball down. That was frustration in the moment. Have we heard Bryce come out and say anything since about it? No, it’s over with, you know why? Cause Bryce got class. That’s why, Bryce don’t need to say anything. He just getting on with his job. But DJ gets on TV three days later and he could have poured water on it.”
“Imagine if Mike Wells had his own little press conference and had his little interview and he says, ‘well, you know what Dejan Vasiljevic’s defence…I don’t know what’s going on with his close-outs and his defensive of stance’, nah, He would never do that. Mike wouldn’t throw his own players under the bus like that.”
“So now DJs come out and said that. Major distraction is if there’s not enough to worry about trying to beat the Kings three times, let alone one time. So yeah, it’s unfortunate. And in a way, I’m kind of not surprised.”
Lowery’s comments echo earlier remarks from NBL commentator Felix Von Hofe, who said Vasiljevic’s comments were another example of Wells being “disrespected”.
“You cannot be talking down on your head coach to media during a finals campaign, I love how open and honest DJ is at all times. It’s great for the sport…. But Mike Wells is well within his right to call fault and take issue with that,” Von Hofe told foxsports.com.au.
“Mike continues his run as the most disrespected coach in the league”
“Wells has had to cop it from all angles this year, the last thing you need is your own playing group talking negatively to the media”
“He’s an experienced coach, his adjustments in the semi final series against SEM were fantastic, they beat a better team”
“I have no doubt they’ll adjust in game 2 and we’ll see a much closer contest”
Game Two of the NBL Finals now looms as a defining moment, with attention turning to whether the off-court tension between coach and player carries into team chemistry. It shapes as a must-win for one of the league’s most potent offensive sides.