Bruton's 'few choice words' catalyst to success

A passionate half time speech from head coach CJ Bruton has sparked Adelaide 36ers to the club’s first win of the NBL24 season at the Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.

The home side exploded in a final quarter 35-20 frenzy to run over Illawarra Hawks by nine points.

Bruton said he had a strong message at the main interval, especially after his side got behind by double digits in the opening half for a third straight game.

“The response, at half time I had a few choice words and did some stuff that a lot of the guys have not seen me do,” Bruton said after the 89-80 win on Saturday night at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

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“But, in saying that, the response to that, it shouldn’t happen to be like that.

“If you’re a professional athlete, there is certain things you expect them to do.

“There are certain things I expect to happen like I did when I was a player, I don’t think I had the same response from the jump.”

After less than three minutes of game time, Bruton called a time out and had his entire roster stand on Brett Maher Court as he portrayed an impassioned message.

“That’s why my time out ended up with everyone standing and not sitting down so you guys could hear,” Bruton said.

“I wanted to win the first five minutes, and after the first five minutes I look at the scoreboard and we only have five points.”

The win snaps a four-game losing streak to start the NBL24 campaign, but Bruton said to win wasn’t a relief.

“It’s exciting for the fans, for the player, yes, I’m very happy, we still have got a lot of work to do,” Bruton said.

“But we tick that box and now let’s continue to progress and keep moving forward.

“There has been stuff working all along, we keep talk about improvements, ‘oh, you’re right there’, I’m sick of talking about that.”

“You need to be better to win a game.”

Adelaide 36ers are back at home on Brett Maher Court on Thursday night against South East Melbourne Phoenix.