Will CJ Bruton extend Adelaide stay?

Pockets of Adelaide fans were calling for head coach CJ Bruton to be relieved of his duties earlier this season, but after the six-time NBL champion player helped steady the ship at the 36ers, NBL legend Derek Rucker believes Bruton could be in line to extend his stay in the City of Churches.

Bruton took over the head coaching position from Connor Henry ahead of NBL 22 and has registered seventh and eighth placed finishes with the side.

Overall he has won 27 of 65 games as a head coach in the NBL.

Rucker says off-court issues that have confronted the 36ers have meant it’s been difficult to gauge Bruton’s coaching ability.

“I think they’ve done a good job in showing there is some hope. They’re not that far off of the Play-In positions and this is ideal for them, if they can come out of this break unified, better, and maybe they can make a run,” Rucker said on NBL Now.

“I’m hearing rumours he (Bruton) actually may be extended. There’s been a lot of gripe and speculation about CJ’s coaching ability, but I think it’s been really hard whether to assess if he’s a good coach because of all the change in the lineup and the things he’s been trying to deal with.

“I’m more inclined to give coaches a bit more leeway and I think CJ has shown enough as a coach. I’m not sure a two-year extension is warranted, but I’d be willing to extend him just another year, keep some continuity in the coaching staff and maybe bring in another assistant coach with a bit more experience.”

Damon Lowery added an improved level of recruiting could help Bruton thrive in his current role.

“Year one of CJ wasn’t his year. That wasn’t his team. Year two, he bought in a guy that should remain nameless – Craig Randall – [who] submarined the season,” Lowery said.

“This year is CJ’s year, but you go out and get the wrong import guard again.

“From a recruitment point of view CJ needs some help. I don’t know who that person is, I know he has some say but whoever that person is, they’re getting it wrong multiple years in a row.”

Recruitment discussions have persisted into the new season around Adelaide and the status of their imports.

DJ Vasiljevic has already been brought in to replace Jamaal Franklin, while rumours have persisted that the 36ers have been hunting for an import big to play alongside Isaac Humphries and Jacob Wiley.

Rucker says the ability to nail key signings early in the season will be crucial to Adelaide returning to the top end of the ladder.

“When you look at a team like the Sydney Kings, or even the Perth Wildcats under a relatively new coach also, it seems like their basketball intelligence department is sound,” he said.

“Melbourne United, you never hear this type of stuff about if they’re picking the right player. That stuff is always solid.

“For Adelaide to get back to where they want to be that’s what they have to fix up.”