BRISBANE guard Adam Gibson says the Bullets have the back-court firepower to shoot up the NBL ladder this summer.
Gibson, a 2012 Olympian and two-time NBL championship-winner, Shaun Bruce and young gun Matt Kenyon will be joined in the guard rotation by highly rated US imports Stephen Holt and Travis Trice for the 2017-18 campaign.
Bruce (ankle) will miss the entire pre-season but the talented and well-travelled trio of Gibson, Holt and Trice will be on deck for Brisbane’s opening practice game against Cairns in Rockhampton.
Brisbane Bullets guard Adam Gibson. Picture: Peter WallisSource:News Corp Australia
Gibson said Brisbane’s busy pre-season schedule was essential to get everybody on the same page.
“I think we cover all aspects that you need from your back-court. We’ve got a good mix there of guys who play multiple spots so we are looking forward to seeing how it unfolds for us,’’ Gibson said.
“Travis has got the speed, can create his own shot and can create for others and get into the key while Steve is a real streaky, hot shooter who is taller than people think so those guys will really add to the core of the squad that has come back.
“It’s important we get that game time together now. Training has been good but that is a controlled environment.
“A few of us know how the offence works from last year and we just have to bring the other guys up to speed in that game environment.
“It’s the best way you can find a way to help the team and be effective.’’
Coach Andrej Lemanis. The Brisbane Bullets training at Carina. Pic Peter WallisSource:News Corp Australia
Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis has a number of options at his disposal. He could play Gibson, Trice and Holt at the same time and shift Holt to small forward or keep a high rotation of experienced, quality guards on the floor so there is no drop in intensity.
Gibson said the Bullets were well advanced in their pre-season preparation compared with last year when the club was reborn after eight years in the wilderness.
“We were a brand new group last year so we spent a lot of time learning about each other and the way the coaching staff wanted us to play. The core of the group has remained,’’ Gibson said.
“We’ve pretty much been training non-stop and the three new guys are good guys so they’ll find their way.
“These games are not important result-wise but they are important in terms of learning how to play together.
“It will be good to get some game fitness back too.’’
Originally published as Bullet’s armed with back-court firepower
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