How to watch & talking points: Brisbane v Tasmania (Round 3, NBL26)

Brisbane Bullets v Tasmania JackJumpers
Saturday, October 8pm AEST
Brisbane Entertainment Centre

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Talking points

Harrison’s NBA season
‍Experts have been hot on the Tyrell Harrison to NBA narrative and for good reason, as the Bullets’ foundational piece is playing the best basketball of his career. Harrison has not only put up big numbers to start the season, but he is also doing it super efficiently and looks unstoppable down low. After a strong NBA Summer League with Denver, this could be the last time NBL fans see Harrison for some time.

Can the JackJumpers stay afloat?
‍The JackJumpers have begun their season in style, with two big away wins on the back of a hard-fought season opening loss to Melbourne United. Bryce Hamilton has been special as many experts predicted, but the injuries haves tarted to pile up for Scott Roth’s men and they face a daunting task of trying to tick off wins until they get some players back. Both David Johnson and Majok Deng are set to miss time, which hurts an already thin Tasmania roster in those positions.

What they're saying

Brisbane CEO Malcolm Watts said on a group approach to coaching:
‍"From inside the tent, everything's going really well.

"I think from what I see day-to-day, Stu has implemented, it is an unorthodox approach in that we've empowered our assistant coaches because we believe that they're extremely high quality as well.

"So, you know, I think there's probably optics on people watching some games, you know, probably looking and thinking that our assistant coaches are doing a lot more than they should.

"But it's just leaning into empowering them. But also it's, Stu is without a doubt the head coach in the building and he knows his stuff. But we were going to get that criticism. I knew it was coming.

"We stand by the decision and I think, you know, things are going to be on the up from this weekend.

"For anyone that's ever been inside an organisation, the assistant coaches absolutely do a huge amount of work but ultimately the wins and losses stop with the head coach.”

Tasmania's general manager basketball Darren Smith said on the signing of injury replacement TJ Starks:
‍“While it’s never ideal to lose a player to injury for any period, TJ brings versatility, depth and an established pedigree.

"He adds to our guard rotation and gives us another reliable option at both ends of the floor.

"As Scott [Roth] has stated, we usually wouldn't look to bring in anyone for an injury like DJ's but when we look at the upcoming schedule, there’s a heavy game load over the coming weeks and we felt it was necessary to bring in an additional guard."

Depth charts

Brisbane
‍Projected depth chart:
PG: Adams (IP) / Norton
SG: Freeman-Liberty (IP)/ Murray / Devers (DP)
SF: McDaniel / Ducas / Patterson (IP/NRP)
PF: Prather (IP) / Holt / Purchase
C: Harrison / Smith-Milner / Bradtke (DP)

Injured: Casey Prather, Jacob Holt, Javon Freeman-Liberty, Mitch Norton, Sam McDaniel

New Zealand
‍Projected depth chart:
PG: Campbell (IP) / Ayre / Nunn (DP)
SG: Hamilton (IP) / Drmic / Stoddart
SF: Johnson (IP) / Marshall
PF: Bannan / Deng
C: Magnay / Williamson / Woodhill (DP)

Injured: David Johnson, Majok Deng, Sean Macdonald

Missing in action

Brisbane
Casey Prather - Head - TBC
‍Jacob Holt - Injured - TBC
Javon Freeman-Liberty - Ankle - Test
Mitch Norton - Knee - Round 9
Sam McDaniel - Ankle - Round 11

Tasmania
David Johnson - Calf - Round 6
Majok Deng - Hamstring - November
Sean Macdonald - Knee - Season

>> View full injury list