Basketball news 2023: Brisbane Bullets season preview, NBL betting odds, Aron Baynes and Nathan Sobey

Always move forward has been new Brisbane coach Justin Schueller’s motto since he took the reins in the off-season, following years of turmoil.

The Bullets have added several attractive pieces to star Boomers Olympic bronze medallists Aron Baynes and Nathan Sobey.

But is this a season of transition or are the Bullets ready to compete now?

Michael Randall eyes the team’s fortunes.

Club: Brisbane Bullets

Last season: 9th, 8-20 record

Coach: Justin Schueller, rookie coach (0-0)

Full roster: Aron Baynes, Chris Smith, DJ Mitchell, Gabe Hadley, Isaac White, Josh Bannan, Matthew Johns, Mitch Norton, Nathan Sobey, Rocco Zikarsky, Sam McDaniel, Shannon Scott, Tristan Devers, Tyrell Harrison

BENCH PUNCH

DJ Mitchell: The Bullets were quick to pick up the option on the Melbourne-born son-of-a-gun’s contract and for good reason — his play will far exceed his pay packet and, alongside young gun Josh Bannan, should occupy a productive timeshare at the four spot. Mitchell averaged 9.6 points and 4.6 rebounds as an ancillary player for the Bullets last campaign — great numbers for a rookie who has plenty of room for improvement.

Isaac White: More like Isaac White-Hot. Brisbane’s new mulleted marauder has already shown off an expanded game and the type of bench scoring and shooting that could make him one of the better bargain recruits of NBL24. A little guard with a big game, the 25-year-old gets his best opportunity, yet, to prove he belongs at NBL level and, should he seize the chance, could be in the reckoning for both Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year.

Tyrell Harrison: A 214cm, 115kg monster who has endured a career cruelled by injury. Will begin the season as Aron Baynes’ backup at the five and the Bullets will hope he can stay healthy, allowing teen giant Rocco Zikarsky to take all the time he needs to find his feet in the league. Has shown flashes in his six years in Brisbane, but never quite put it together. Ability is there but durability remains a question. He and Baynes will own the boards for the Bullets.

COACH’S CORNER

“The beauty, for me, is I already had two Olympians (Aron Baynes, Nathan Sobey) on the roster at the start of the build and, from day one, my first convo when I spoke to them about how I see things going, they were all in. They continue to be culture and standard setters and that’s a big part of who we want to be as a club. We want to do everything the right way and strive to be a league leader in each area. There’s a growth to that, It’s not going to happen overnight. That’s the journey we’re on but I couldn’t be more happy with the guys that we recruited from a who they are standpoint to how they go about their jobs every day and the buy-in that’s collectively in the group. People are seeing a very different ‘Bullets Way’ so far but, to us, it’s going to be an every day growth. That’s our constant, we just want to keep moving forward and we want to keep getting better. If we keep that mindset, we think we can do something special in the league this year.”

—Justin Schueller

WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE LAST YEAR?

Let’s start with what hasn’t. Aron Baynes and Nate Sobey are the obvious, DJ Mitchell and Tyrell Harrison remain on the court and Greg Vanderjagt has stayed on as an assistant to new coach Justin Schueller, along with Darryl McDonald, who followed from Melbourne United. They’ve got a new chief executive in officer appears to be on the same page as the basketball staff — that’s a start. Arriving are big young Aussie prospect Josh Bannan, a pair of more than capable imports in Shannon Scott and Chris Smith who have both impressed early and a nice mix of young and experienced role players who will hope to pull together and put the team’s past behind it. Oh, and there’s a 7’3”, 17-year-old basketball freak in Roco Zikarsky who will ensure all eyes are on Nissan Arena. New era, new ideas, new hope for Bullets’ fans.

THE HOT SEAT

Aron Baynes and Nathan Sobey

Olympic bronze medallists and the two star remnants from a season of tumult in Brisbane, Baynes is in the final year of his contract while the Bullets are understood to have a team option on Sobey for next season. Both will want to produce big seasons and prove their worth at the transformed Bullets — or to any other club who might potentially want to make a move on them for NBL25. How each performs will largely decide whether the Bullets are contenders or pretenders.

THE BIG QUESTION

Are the Bullets finally stable?

Brisbane has made the playoffs just once in the seven years since the franchise was reborn and was a basket case on and off the court last season. A roster revamp under new coach Justin Schueller, new chief executive Mal Watts and hands on adviser Stu Lash has the Bullets in the first throes of a cultural reset they will hope can vanquish the demons of the past. It’s been a long time since the Bullets have got the balance right but, with an unselfish, high level distributor in Shannon Scott at the helm, attacking weapon Nathan Sobey embracing a full-time two guard role, expected improvement from big man Aron Baynes and import Chris Smith’s arrival as a high-level shooter, the pieces are there to put up winning scores on a nightly basis.

EXPERT COMMENT

Brisbane’s greatest player Leroy Loggins is cautiously optimistic another fresh start for the Bullets will finally deliver the success fans and past greats have been craving.

Loggins, a three-time league MVP and triple champion who played over 500 games for the Bullets and leads the club in almost every statistical category, has reconnected with the club, along with several other past greats.

“I had a meeting with (new CEO) Mal (Watts) and (new coach) (Justin Schueller) and it was really positive and it’s good to see a new group in there,” Loggins said.

“I’d like to see them get back to where they need to be at the top but it’s going to take dedication, hard work and some luck.

“They do have a lot of potential but we’ve had new groups in here how many times, now?

“It’s a fresh start and I really hope it’s different this time.”

Loggins has studied all the fresh faces at the Bullets and he likes what he sees, while he was impressed with returning big man Aron Baynes’ work at the Blitz. He — along with everyone else in Brisbane — likes the “young big fella, Rocco”.

“It’s still early but, from what I’ve seen, they have the potential to be successful this season,” he said.

“At this stage, everyone’s level at 0-0, right?

“I’m going to be there Friday night at the first game, packed house. It’s going to be great to see what they can bring.”

PREDICTIONS

Mick Randall says: It’s Schueller’s world and the Bullets are all living in it. This is a club that was crying out for leadership and they now have a man with a plan. He’s taken a tough stance as he pushes a cultural overhaul at the Bullets with a view to instil the selfless ethos in his side that he was a part of building at Melbourne United. Have heard quiet rumblings not every player is loving it but that won’t rattle Schueller — he’ll quickly figure out the guys who want to be there and weed out the ones who are more worried about their touches and the box score. They won’t admit it but this is a transition year in Brisbane as Schueller moulds the club in his image as part of a long-term build. It takes time for any coach to come in and steady the ship, especially at a club that has struggled through years of futility. Rome wasn’t built in a day and the play-in isn’t out of the question but seventh or eighth wouldn’t be a complete disaster.

Matt Logue says: I’m expecting Brisbane to be a big improver in NBL24. I really like new coach Justin Schueller. He has done his coaching apprenticeship via the junior and assistant ranks and is now ready for the top role. The additions of Mitch Norton, Shannon Scott and Aussie Next Star teen Rocco Zikarsky will only help the Bullets rise up the ladder. I’m also expecting stronger seasons from veteran duo Nathan Sobey and Aron Baynes. Whether or not it’s enough for the Bullets to compete for a championship, remains to be seen.

NBL AWARD CONTENDERS

MVP: Nathan Sobey

Next Gen Award: Josh Bannan

Sixth Man of the Year: Isaac White

Most Improved Player: Isaac White

CODEBET

Although still building into something bigger after going 1-2 in the Blitz, this Bullets side is box office, with so many fun players to watch.

Aron Baynes showed he is still an absolute monster, putting up a 20 points, 20 rebound game on the Gold Coast and next gen star Rocco Zikarsky is hard to play against, being extremely versatile, even at 7'3”.

Nathan ‘Sobe Zero’ Sobey is still one of Brisbane’s main threats on offence, but if he is missing from three they can be too reliant on him and lack shooting.

This side is better than their odds suggest and have the talent to even push for finals, but will still likely be in the bottom parts of the ladder this season, lacking guards and overall scoring talent.

Best bet: Under 10.5 Wins ($2)

—Liam McAllion

SUPERCOACH

Along with Melbourne United’s Luke Travers, Josh Bannan (F, $69,000) was my first player picked in NBL SuperCoach but a lower leg injury at the pre-season Blitz has put his round 1 hopes in jeopardy. Aron Baynes (C, $240,300) impressed in pre-season and, with his body in shape, could provide import-like numbers at a bargain price. Isaac White (G, $88,500) could be one of the cheapies of the season, but he might be a little feast or famine, depending on how Schueller uses him, while Mitch Norton (G, $116,000) could also be one who exceeds his price Shannon Scott (G, $313,300) is at the higher end, but he was one of the better SuperCoach scorers and is a potential point of difference pick who could make you look like a genius.

KEY STATS YOU NEED TO KNOW

— Brisbane failed to win a single quarter in five games last season – most in the NBL.

— Brisbane conceded 92.9 points per game last season – the most in the NBL

— New Bullet Isaac White had a true shooting percentage of 67.9% last season, equal second in the league.

MVP SOBEY? NEW COACH’S HUGE CALL ON BULLETS’ STAR

Boomers Olympic bronze medallist Nathan Sobey is ready to put the off-court turmoil that plagued the Brisbane Bullets over the past two seasons behind him and the club as he primes for a bounce-back season in NBL24.

And he says hulking Tokyo teammate Aron Baynes is in incredible shape as the pair, under new coach Justin Schueller and with a host of talented new arrivals, looks to propel the Bullets back into the playoff picture after years of futility.

The Bullets, last season, cycled through three coaches, chemistry issues and front office unrest, winning just eight games. But a new coach, chief executive and refocus from ownership is spearheading a cultural reset in the Sunshine State.

While it’s still early, Sobey says the changes have created a new optimism at the Bullets.

“There’s no point dwelling on the past, it’s only going to bring the wrong energy,” Sobey said.

“We’re just stuck in what we’re doing now and how that helps us get where we want to and play in the playoffs.”

Big man Baynes gave a glimpse of what he’s capable of producing in NBL24 with a massive 20-point, 20-rebound game in the pre-season Blitz but Sobey says it’s remarkable the 36-year-old former NBA star is even back on the court, given the shocking back injuries he suffered in Tokyo.

“Everyone expected so much from him last year, right after the injury that he had but it wasn’t just a normal injury — he had to learn how to do a lot of things again,” Sobey said of his mate.

“So another 12 months under his belt, getting in even better shape, working out all off-season, he’s miles ahead of where he was this time last year, so I’m excited for what he can show.”

Sobey played all 28 games last season, averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds, before taking Ipswich all the way to the NBL1 North title. The 33-year-old has been carefully managed through the pre-season and, now healthy, Schueller believes the star guard can be among the MVP candidates in NBL24.

“I genuinely think Sobes can be one of, if not the, best player in the competition,” Schueller said.

“Once we get his body right and the wSay we’re going to use him and play him, we’re going to have him in positions for success constantly and that puts us in good shape for team success.”