Bruton confident 36ers can bounce back

Searching for a first victory of the NBL24 season, Adelaide 36ers head coach CJ Bruton says Saturday’s battle against Illawarra Hawks can kickstart the club’s campaign.

Not only is victory important against the Hawks, Bruton understands the significance of the club’s inaugural PINK SLAM game, which is raising money for breast cancer research.

“It's definitely a worthy special cause. We need a win for the club and being our second game at home, it'll be good to kick start that all together with a big celebration,” Bruton said.

Bruton has been pleased with how his side has responded from the pre-season and even though the team is still without a win, he can see victory is just around the corner.

“I think every team definitely stepped it up and from the pre-season and we all know how important it is to get off to a good start,” Bruton told SEN SA Breakfast on Thursday.

“While ours was disrupted, it was, I thought we've got better each and every game that we've played, and we've had our changes.

“But looking at where we are right now and I'm excited for what we've been able to put in the short period of time because we've been playing two games a week in the short period of time and having our imports get back on the court and do their part and find that groove again.”

Offensive rebounding and turnovers have been two major parts of the game where Bruton is searching for improvement moving forward and says his side is making progress.

“I think from our turnover count to our rebounding count, there was different things that shifted it to our defensive principles to making shots,” he said.

“Some of that is confidence, some of that is effort levels. I think there's a few loose balls that we should have got, and we didn't get.”

Adelaide last weekend fought back from double-digit deficits on both occasions against the Wildcats in Perth and the Kings in Sydney to have a big chance of victory but couldn’t finish off the great work.

“You're doing the fight back all the time and you can get back to a level, but you can't just get over the hump,” Bruton said.

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“I think part of that is also swag. Your confidence in yourself and your ability. And I've got quite a few new guys wearing the 36ers uniform this year and being in that atmosphere and coming together.

“Everyone thinks that coming together is quite easy. But, if you come from all different walks of life and different parts and different leagues, it can be a work in progress.”

After a 0-4 start, the first time a 36ers side has begun a season with that record since the 2002-03 campaign, Bruton is relishing the chance to show the league his side means business.

“It's been a challenge. But again, like anything in life, if it was easy, then we'd all be sitting in the sun not just doing what you love,” Bruton said.

“I accepted this opportunity to help Adelaide get back on the right track, and while it has been tough and challenging at different times, I'm enjoying the journey.

“Life is very short, and you can tell by the different things that go on around you and how quickly you can change and how the world is changing.

“Every opportunity is important and to make the most of it and leave a mark and I think there is no better time than this weekend.”