One NBL coach has labelled a Perth Wildcat the league’s ‘best player’ following his 30-point performance on Sunday, while the Brisbane Bullets’ difficult NBL26 campaign has hit another low, with a seven-game losing streak setting alarm bells ringing for interim head coach Darryl McDonald.
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‘HE’S THE BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE’
On Sunday afternoon, the Perth Wildcats travelled to Tasmania to face the JackJumpers in a crucial contest for both clubs.
For the JackJumpers, it was an opportunity to improve a disappointing home record. For the Wildcats, it was a chance to regain momentum after a flat performance at home against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Perth did exactly that, securing a 94-85 road victory behind a dominant performance from Kristian Doolittle, who finished with 30 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal, shooting an efficient 66 per cent from the field.
It was a display that left JackJumpers head coach Scott Roth in awe.
“I think Doolittle – and I’ve always thought this – I think he’s the best player in the league, hands down,” Roth said post-game.
“He was a difference-maker throughout the entire game. When they needed shots to go in, they always went to him.”
After a slow start adjusting to a new roster and system, Doolittle is increasingly asserting himself as the face of the Wildcats. On the season, he is averaging 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 0.8 steals per game, while shooting 43 per cent from the field and a career-high 31 per cent from beyond the arc.
While his numbers may not immediately leap off the stat sheet compared to some of the league’s biggest names, Roth believes the impact goes far deeper.
“He’s having a fantastic year – an MVP-level year – and he’s really fun to watch,” Roth said.
“He can defend, he can move his feet, he can switch onto guys. He can handle the ball, he’s smart, he can shoot the three and he’s got the mid-range.”
That versatility has been on full display throughout the season. Doolittle has taken on assignments ranging from Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Bryce Cotton to JaVale McGee and Xavier Cooks, highlighting his ability to guard all five positions.
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Roth rounded out his praise by adding, “I love the way he plays. He’s probably my favourite non-JackJumper.”
They are remarkable comments from one of the league’s most respected coaches. Doolittle has quietly built a strong reputation in the NBL and with the Wildcats increasingly leaning on him, the franchise appears to be in strong hands moving forward.
‘PLAY EVERY POSSESSION LIKE IT’S YOUR LAST’: INTERIM BULLETS COACH SENDS CLEAR WARNING
If the NBL26 season couldn’t get any worse for the Brisbane Bullets, it did on Saturday night with a 107-78 loss to the South East Melbourne Phoenix, extending their losing streak to seven games.
The night deteriorated further for interim head coach Darryl McDonald, with Sam McDaniel suffering a foot injury and Taine Murray injuring his ankle. Both setbacks occurred early in the contest, compounding the challenge against one of the league’s top teams.
Despite the circumstances, McDonald was resolute in his post-game press conference.
“It’s about just putting it all out there, man – putting it all out there on the floor,” McDonald said.
“You have to play every possession like it’s your last. That’s easy for me to say, but we need bodies to play the way we want to play. It’s hard when you’re heading into the next game with potentially seven or eight guys because of injuries,” he added.
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Much of McDonald’s frustration stemmed from the Bullets’ defensive breakdowns. Brisbane conceded 107 points while managing just 78 themselves, turning the ball over 28 times as the Phoenix’s pressure consistently disrupted their offence.
The Bullets shot just 36 per cent from the field and sent South East Melbourne to the free-throw line 42 times, with the Phoenix converting 29 of those attempts.
McDonald reiterated his message post-game, emphasising effort and readiness.
“The main thing is to play every possession like it’s your last and put yourself in a position to take advantage when the opportunity comes,” he said.
“Jack (Purchase) is a good example. He hasn’t played a lot, but when he got his opportunity he gave me everything he had. Holty (Jacob Holt) had to play more, and Tohi (Smith-Milner) gave us good minutes as well,” he added.
“We have to stay together and when the opportunity comes, just take full advantage of it and give me a reason to play you. That’s going to be the main thing.”
Across their seven-game losing streak, the Bullets are averaging just 77.6 points per game – a figure that underlines their offensive struggles.
“It comes back to effort and doing the little things – taking care of the ball, keeping teams off the glass – and we have to find a way to score,” McDonald said.
“We’ve got Javon (Freeman-Liberty) and Terry (Taylor) as our imports. We need to get Tyrell (Harrison) better looks around the rim and simply find a way to put the ball in the hole.”
Frustration around the club is at an all-time high. Brisbane sit ninth on the NBL26 ladder with a 5-14 record, having already lost key imports and parted ways with their head coach.
With injuries mounting and another coaching search underway, the Bullets once again appear to be at the beginning of a rebuild – searching for answers, stability, culture and leadership as pressure continues to mount on the front office and ownership group.
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