By Murray Wenzel
Brisbane co-owner Jason Levien has moved to address the NBL club’s horror season, appointing long-time sidekick Stu Lash as an advisor.
Friday’s announcement is the first play the American sports executive has made since flagging his intention to be more hands-on at the battling Bullets, of which the NBL still owns 25 per cent.
The appointment of Lash is the first play the American sports executive Jason Levien has made after announcing he would be more hands on at the Bullets.Credit:AP
It follows Wednesday’s 49-point loss at home to Sydney, with Brisbane now 5-16 for a season in which head coach James Duncan has been axed and interim coach Sam Mackinnon replaced by Greg Vanderjagt – another temproary appointment – four games later.
Lash worked at the Memphis Grizzlies in player development while Levien was in charge of basketball and business operations at the club, until both were released in 2014.
He previously worked for Levien’s sports agency and before that spent five seasons with the Denver Nuggets working with the front office and coaching staff, including serving as the scouting and video co-ordinator.
Lash will act a conduit between the ownership group, which includes several current NBA players; staff on the ground in Brisbane and a playing group searching for answers.
“We’re trying to find who we are and what we are, and right now we have no idea,” veteran guard Jason Cadee said after their latest loss.
“Sometimes I ask myself, ‘How did we get here?’.
“There’s a lot that’s gone on and you’re trying to find positives … I’m trying to seek answers, I’m trying to help fix things, I’m talking to Vandy (Greg Vanderjagt) and we’re trying to work through stuff.”
Brisbane began the campaign with title hopes after the off-season signings of Aron Baynes and Tyler Johnson but are again languishing.
The club has failed to genuinely contend for a title since rebirthing in 2016 after an eight-year absence.
“The passionate fan base along with the history and tradition of the team is what’s made this opportunity so appealing to me,” Lash said.
“I am looking forward to working with the talented and committed staff members to return the Bullets to their rightful place amongst the top clubs in the NBL.”
