The Brisbane Bullets have brushed off fierce criticism of their coach after a former NBL champion made the stunning claim Stu Lash was “not a coach” and more like a “spectator.”
NBL legend Mark Worthington has taken to social media several times in recent days to criticise rookie Bullets coach Lash. His comments came after broadcast vision showing both of the Bullets’ assistant coaches running the team’s timeouts while Lash seemingly took a step back in a 83-82 loss to the Cairns Taipans on Friday.
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Brisbane Bullets Head Coach Stu Lash.Source: Getty Images
Worthington — who won an NBL Championship with South Dragons and made more than 300 appearances in the league — said via X, formerly known as Twitter: “Red flags at the Bullets with Stu Lash.
“Worldwide search for a HC (Head Coach). Gifted by his mate and Co-owner (Jason) Levien. Basketball Resume: Scout & Video co-ordinator (02-06): (and) Director of play personnel (09-12)”
“This team deserves better. He’s not a coach. Vandy (Greg Vanderjagt) & DMac (Darryl McDonald) are babysitting.”
Brisbane suffered another defeat on Sunday, going down 87-80 away to the Adelaide 36ers with Worthington doubling down and branding Lash a spectator.
Pressed for a response to the criticism, the Bullets on Monday said in a statement: “Stu Lash won’t be commenting on Mark Worthington’s Tweets. Right now, his main focus is entirely on the playing group and our next game.”
Several moments involving Lash have raised eyebrows among pundits and fans so far this season.
On a rare occasion he was speaking during a timeout against the Taipans, Lash could be heard telling his team to simply “pass the ball more”.
Lash also found himself on the receiving end of some skepticism by one of the game’s commentators, Peter Hooley, over a debatable timeout he made late in the game.
“I maybe would’ve kept that time out. It is only a four-point game, plenty of time left. I am not sure if it was desperately needed to have this timeout” Hooley said.
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The legendary Andrew Gaze also began questioning Lash’s substitution late in the loss to the 36ers.
“And again, the substitute pattern with Tyrell Harrison…the game is on the line here and they decide to give him a spell” Gaze said.
The Bullets are 1-2 to start the season but they are riddled with injuries, with three key players in Sam McDaniel (knee), Mitch Norton (knee) and star import Javon Freeman-Liberty (ankle) all out.
They now face a tough four-game stretch going up against Tasmania, Illawarra, Perth and Melbourne.