Bullets Break Down "Unacceptable" Performance

The surprise coaching change swung by the Brisbane Bullets mid-week certainly didn’t have the desired effect on the team's Round 8 performance. The Baynes-less Bullets returned home from an away trip to New Zealand with their tails between their legs courtesy of a 37-point dismantling at the hands of the Breakers.

GM of Basketball Sam Mackinnon took the interim head coaching reigns of Brisbane for the first time and entered the fray with an undermanned team – centres Aron Baynes and Tyrell Harrison were notable absences much to the joy of Breakers pair Jarrell Brantley and Dererk Pardon, who went to work in the paint.

Despite having 19 points in a strong individual display from the bench, Bullets forward Tanner Krebs says there's no excuse for the team’s poor performance.

“It was a tough week,” Krebs said of the team’s coaching change. “A lot happened, we can’t deny that was the case – but that shouldn’t affect our heart, our intensity and how we play the game. Tonight they just bullied us and it’s unacceptable.

“Baynes is a big presence defensively, especially under the rim. Not having him – and Tyrell does the same thing – not having them obviously hurts a bit, but it doesn’t matter. We have guys that are capable of doing that and tonight we just didn’t show it.”

The 116 points scored by the Breakers is the highest total of any team in regular time during the NBL23 season so far. There was only one quarter in which they didn’t drop at least 30 on a porous Bullets defence.

Despite his side’s struggles on both ends of the floor, interim coach Mackinnon was still able to find positives in the performance.

“I thought we got to the rim ok at times, and the scout was on a few things where we could get to the line, so that worked.

“I think 13 turnovers was a season low, but it all kind of goes out the window when you lose by close to 40 points.

“We’ll turn it around. There will be better effort and better intent [next week] … I think we’ll be a hell of a lot better.

“We’re a group that cares about each other, so I have no doubt we’ll turn it around.”