Lemanis: Bullets lacking belief

Brisbane Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis has urged his players ignore the “white noise” as they bid to avoid a hat-trick of NBL losses.

Having lost their first two games of the season – both at home to the Hawks – the Bullets again play at Nissan Arena on Tuesday, this time against the Sydney Kings.

The Kings won for the first this season on Saturday night against the Taipans in Cairns, and are revelling in life away from home, according to their coach Adam Forde.

“Being on the road as long as we have, we have been wearing that as a badge of honour,” Forde said.

“It’s tough being away from your family and having the boys be together 24/7, it can either go really, really bad or really, really good depending on how the group manages it.

“It’s an exciting thing, me being in my first year as head coach we have a whole lot of guys who want to be coached, who want to play hard for each other and are willing to step aside and let someone have their moment.”

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There was a lot to like about what Jarell Martin brought for the @SydneyKings in last night's W ?#NBL21 pic.twitter.com/RwavtfAZFL

And while impressed by the Kings in their 99-91 weekend win, Lemanis preferred to focus on the Bullets, who have suffered their worst start to a season since 2003.

“As a group we don’t get stressed about the white noise,” Lemanis said.

“We need to focus on our execution and what we need to do to give ourselves the best opportunity to be successful.

“Part of it is the style of play and the shots we take. Some of it is having the belief and confidence that those shots are going to go down.”

Lemanis admitted the Bullets came into the season a little under-prepared due to COVID-19-enforced restrictions, but that it had been a problem for every NBL club.

“We’re still working on getting ourselves organised, let alone worrying about what the opposition are doing,” he said.

“It keeps it interesting. It’s challenging. Like everyone else, we’ve had to adapt.”

Meanwhile, NBA star Thad Young has joined the Bullets’ ownership group.

Young, 32, is currently at the Chicago Bulls, and has also had stints with Indiana, Brooklyn, Minnesota and Philadelphia in a 13-year NBA career.

“The opportunity is unique, and a no-brainer for me as a pro athlete,” Young said.

“Aside from adding capital dollars, I can also add value with my knowledge, relationships and access to young talent who are capable of growing their games in the NBL.”

Bullets majority owner Kevin Martin said: “I had the pleasure of playing with Thad and quickly realised that he was destined to accomplish greater achievements beyond the court.

“He has really excelled as an entrepreneur in the real estate and tech spaces.”

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