No more circuses in Brisbane

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Damon Lowery and Derek Rucker have praised the ability of Justin Schueller to turn around the culture at the Brisbane Bullets.

We are only eight rounds into the new NBL season, but it's obvious the off-season changes implemented by the Brisbane Bullets have started to turn the once flailing franchise around.

After finishing in the bottom three positions on the ladder in each of the past two seasons, first-year head coach Justin Schueller has guided his side to improved on-court performances and a redisovery of the club's culture.

“People can walk outside with Brisbane Bullets’ shirts on feeling proud,” former NBL champion Damon Lowery said on NBL Now.

“It would be disrespectful to circuses, to call you [the Bullets] a circus last year. [But now] you guys are legit, respectable …”

“They’re trending in the right direction,” Bullets legend and former NBL MVP Derek Rucker added.

Rucker was also impressed with Schueller’s immediate impact on the team.

“If you’re looking at coaching ability, I give Justin Schueller a B+ with the ability to go up quickly … they got a big road victory in Perth and a big road victory in Tasmania.”

However, Rucker believed the Bullets have been a lot better than their 5-7 record shows, and have already dropped some crucial games this season from winning positions.

“They should have beaten Sydney and they blew a game the other night at the crib against Perth. Realistically they should be be eight and four … They lost some games and that was player error.”

While the focus tends to be on key names Nathan Sobey and Aron Baynes, the Bullets' crop of emerging talent have stepped up when called upon this season.

Tyrell Harrison has usurped Baynes to become Schueller's starting center, and first-year pro Josh Bannan has established himself as one of the top young talents in the competition since coming back from injury.

Rucker believes Bannan could be a crucial piece to any future success the Bullets organisation may experience.

“I think he has the potential to be the captain of that Brisbane Bullet’s team. I think he is going to be the spiritual leader of that team by the end of the season,” Rucker stated.

“He’s a really valuable piece.”

Brisbane will return to action on Friday when they travel to the Cairns Convention Centre to take on the Taipans.