2023-24 NBL Season + Off-season news

[Wedgie]

Not followed this closely but what standards was Ninnis reportedly not meeting?

It's purely spin.

[Brodlach]

Not followed this closely but what standards was Ninnis reportedly not meeting?

Every coach no matter what sport would have certain standards to adhere to otherwise the board steps in.

[RB]

No doubt.

Just wondering if they elaborated at all as to what standards he didn't meet.

[Brodlach]

No they didn’t, not sure they should either.

[Gozu]

I don't think a long-time NBA assistant coach is going to move to the other side of the globe just to be an AC here. Wells was likely told beforehand he was going to be the HC and then it just became about finding something to fire Ninnis for hence "not meeting standards". Perhaps he wasn't washing his hands after going to the loo? Forgot to turn off the office coffee machine?

The problem is this new jumped up GM they've hired Matt Weston was hired after Ninnis was re-signed as HC. So he wasn't Weston's choice as coach and he effectively went out and hired the new coach, Wells, under the cover of an AC. Ninnis must've known he was a dead man walking when they hired both of his AC's for him at the expense of his mate Kubank too.

[Brodlach]

What do you think Gozu. Good or bad decision?

[Wedgie]

I don't think a long-time NBA assistant coach is going to move to the other side of the globe just to be an AC here. Wells was likely told beforehand he was going to be the HC and then it just became about finding something to fire Ninnis for hence "not meeting standards". Perhaps he wasn't washing his hands after going to the loo? Forgot to turn off the office coffee machine?

The problem is this new jumped up GM they've hired Matt Weston was hired after Ninnis was re-signed as HC. So he wasn't Weston's choice as coach and he effectively went out and hired the new coach, Wells, under the cover of an AC. Ninnis must've known he was a dead man walking when they hired both of his AC's for him at the expense of his mate Kubank too.

Correct.

[LaughingKookaburra]

Must admit I thought the appointment of Ninnis in the first place was a bit odd. They were forced into a corner based off some early results based off him taking over CJ. Once things settled he hardly set the world on fire. Shouldn’t have ever been appointed in the first place and it just goes further to show how bad of a job CJ Bruton was doing after being the only one that wanted the job post Joey Wright completely torching the joint on his way out.

[Gozu]

What do you think Gozu. Good or bad decision?

Bad. I wasn't a fan of Ninnis replacing CJ nor being re-signed after the season but they interviewed others, Goorjian at least and decided Ninnis was their man. Vasiljevic and Humphries both re-signed with the expectation Ninnis was going to be the coach. I'm sure Ninnis would've likely been sacked at some point over the next two years but to sack him now just a few months after re-signing him, a week or two into training camp? Very poor.

We saw last season with Mahmoud Abdelfattah at Sydney how NBA assistants can struggle in the NBL. Scott Morrison at Perth only lasted one season too. However Chase Buford and Will Weaver before him at the Kings were successful. It's a quite different game to the NBA. Different strategies, different officiating and interpretations, some different rules, different game lengths and scheduling. Sure Mike Wells is a lot more credentialed than Ninnis but that doesn't mean he will be a better fit.

We started last season under CJ at 4-9 then Ninnis took over and we went 8-7 the rest of the way. Aside from being an Adelaide favourite son Ninnis did show he was able to bring the group together and to get them playing for him. I think he should've at least been given the first half of the season to get a better look at him with new imports but of course then Wells would have to coach the team on the fly and might not be able to implement much by the time the season ends and presumably his contract expires. Now he gets a full season at it, assuming he doesn't also "fail to meet standards".

[Brodlach]

All excellent points and very fair and balanced.

Imagine Ninnis was a failure and the season was over after 10 rounds, would be a waste of another season.

[Gozu]

Must admit I thought the appointment of Ninnis in the first place was a bit odd. They were forced into a corner based off some early results based off him taking over CJ. Once things settled he hardly set the world on fire. Shouldn’t have ever been appointed in the first place and it just goes further to show how bad of a job CJ Bruton was doing after being the only one that wanted the job post Joey Wright completely torching the joint on his way out.

Don't forget Conner Henry coached the team for a season in between Joey and CJ until he too got fired by the former GM the moment he stepped out of quarantine in QLD which lead to the CJ appointment during training camp. A season where we were paying three HC's contracts CJ, Henry's last guaranteed year and Joey's last year too.

[Brodlach]

Must admit I thought the appointment of Ninnis in the first place was a bit odd. They were forced into a corner based off some early results based off him taking over CJ. Once things settled he hardly set the world on fire. Shouldn’t have ever been appointed in the first place and it just goes further to show how bad of a job CJ Bruton was doing after being the only one that wanted the job post Joey Wright completely torching the joint on his way out.

Don't forget Conner Henry coached the team for a season in between Joey and CJ until he too got fired by the former GM the moment he stepped out of quarantine in QLD which lead to the CJ appointment during training camp. A season where we were paying three HC's contracts CJ, Henry's last guaranteed year and Joey's last year too.

There was definitely more to that than people know

[LaughingKookaburra]

Must admit I thought the appointment of Ninnis in the first place was a bit odd. They were forced into a corner based off some early results based off him taking over CJ. Once things settled he hardly set the world on fire. Shouldn’t have ever been appointed in the first place and it just goes further to show how bad of a job CJ Bruton was doing after being the only one that wanted the job post Joey Wright completely torching the joint on his way out.

Don't forget Conner Henry coached the team for a season in between Joey and CJ until he too got fired by the former GM the moment he stepped out of quarantine in QLD which lead to the CJ appointment during training camp. A season where we were paying three HC's contracts CJ, Henry's last guaranteed year and Joey's last year too.

That’s right. CJ Bruton is still listed as the Head Coach of the Adelaide 36ers on his LinkedIn profile.

[Gozu]

Must admit I thought the appointment of Ninnis in the first place was a bit odd. They were forced into a corner based off some early results based off him taking over CJ. Once things settled he hardly set the world on fire. Shouldn’t have ever been appointed in the first place and it just goes further to show how bad of a job CJ Bruton was doing after being the only one that wanted the job post Joey Wright completely torching the joint on his way out.

Don't forget Conner Henry coached the team for a season in between Joey and CJ until he too got fired by the former GM the moment he stepped out of quarantine in QLD which lead to the CJ appointment during training camp. A season where we were paying three HC's contracts CJ, Henry's last guaranteed year and Joey's last year too.

There was definitely more to that than people know

More to Henry being fired or more to paying three HC's contracts that season? As I understand it Henry was pretty much fired by Jeff van Groningen because he refused to give significant court time to Kai Sotto and Mojave King?

[Gozu]

That’s right. CJ Bruton is still listed as the Head Coach of the Adelaide 36ers on his LinkedIn profile.

Ha I don't blame him he still doesn't have a gig for this season and given what we saw from him in his 2.5 seasons here not sure if he will get a job in the NBL again.

[Brodlach]

Must admit I thought the appointment of Ninnis in the first place was a bit odd. They were forced into a corner based off some early results based off him taking over CJ. Once things settled he hardly set the world on fire. Shouldn’t have ever been appointed in the first place and it just goes further to show how bad of a job CJ Bruton was doing after being the only one that wanted the job post Joey Wright completely torching the joint on his way out.

Don't forget Conner Henry coached the team for a season in between Joey and CJ until he too got fired by the former GM the moment he stepped out of quarantine in QLD which lead to the CJ appointment during training camp. A season where we were paying three HC's contracts CJ, Henry's last guaranteed year and Joey's last year too.

There was definitely more to that than people know

More to Henry being fired or more to paying three HC's contracts that season? As I understand it Henry was pretty much fired by Jeff van Groningen because he refused to give significant court time to Kai Sotto and Mojave King?

Off court issue.

Neither of those deserved more time than what they received

[amber_fluid]

Good decision by the 36ers.
Given the club had already appointed Ninnis, Weston and the board had to look for reasons to move Ninnis on.
They shouldn’t have appointed a coach until Mat Weston was in place in the first place.

Whilst I do feel for Ninnis, the club is in better hands now.

Bring on the new season!

[DOC]

Why do they need to look for reasons?

They pay him out they can do what they like.

[Gozu]

Off court issue.

Neither of those deserved more time than what they received

Can you elaborate as I've never heard an off-court issue was involved in Henry's firing?

[amber_fluid]

Why do they need to look for reasons?

They pay him out they can do what they like.

They can’t really come out and say they found someone better!
Now piss off Scotty.

They’ll keep him/offer him a role I suspect to ease the burden of the cost