The two Bullets that must step up

The Brisbane Bullets need two key players to step up if they want to turnaround a slow start to the season according to club legend Derek Rucker.  

The Bullets’ return to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the spiritual home of the club, was spoiled by the Sydney Kings on Saturday night as the visitors recorded a dominant victory. 

The 1990 NBL MVP was disappointed by the team’s efforts and in particular called out import point guard James Batemon and former NBA player Deng Adel to be better.  

Batemon scored nine points against the Kings and across the season has shot just 7/24 from the field. Adel went scoreless in the Sydney clash. 

“They have to get better contributions from firstly, James Batemon and secondly, Deng Adel. These guys were really bad,” Rucker said on the Moments that Mattered.  

“He (Batemon) hasn't found a way to score out of the half-court offence, which is a concern. And Brisbane isn't good enough on the defensive end to create opportunities for him to get out and in transition. 

“Deng Adel has been really disappointing. He was someone who I expected to be really impactful early in the season.” 

The 0-3 start comes off the back of the Bullets’ impressive pre-season, where Adel averaged 18 points across four games before the NBL Blitz. 

“He showed us in the preseason, he was the Bullets' best player along with Tyrell Harrison – but he had a doughnut against Sydney,” Rucker said. 

“When you go against the top team in the competition and you come up with a doughnut, that's going to leave everybody really doubtful of your abilities.  

“Those two guys got to bring it against South East Melbourne this round. Otherwise, you've got to make some changes to that rotation or you've got to make some permanent changes.” 

With the resume to back it up, Rucker knows exactly what an import point guard needs to bring to a team. He has pinned Saturday night’s game as the possible turning point for Batemon. 

“If your point guard can't perform, you're doomed in this league. It's the bottom line,” Rucker said. 

"Batemon's got a chance now. This round coming up, this is where I need to see him exploit South East Melbourne's weaknesses (on the defensive end). Show me what he has.

“If he can't get it done against South East Melbourne, I really doubt he can play against anyone in this league effectively. I need to see Batemon perform at a level that says, okay, there's promise there. We can move forward with you.” 

The Bullets and Phoenix clash at 8pm AEDT on Saturday night live on ESPN.