NBL coach tears into Breakers over 'pathetic' first half
Coach Gordie Herbert labeled the Breakers' first-half performance 'absolutely pathetic' after they fell to Adelaide 36ers 108-101.
The Breakers fell to Adelaide 36ers 108-101 on Friday night, dropping to second-last on the NBL ladder. A woeful first half left them trailing 56-44, and despite a strong third-quarter comeback and a seesawing final term, they could not finish the job.
Coach Gordie Herbert was furious. "The first half was absolutely pathetic," he said.
"Probably the most pathetic 20 minutes we've played this season. No fight, no will, no energy, no togetherness."
Herbert benched Mojave King and Reuben Te Rangi for the entire second half as punishment. In an international coaching career spanning more than three decades including World Cup gold for Germany in 2023, the 67-year-old said he had never witnessed an opening two quarters like it.
- Adelaide 108, Breakers 101
- Final score
- Adelaide 56, Breakers 44
- Halftime score
- Gordie Herbert, age 67
- Coach
- Second-last on NBL ladder
- Team position
Why it mattersA coach's public criticism of effort signals deep problems in team culture, and benching players sends a message about accountability.
AustraliaThe Adelaide 36ers' win strengthens their position in the NBL, while the Breakers' struggles show the depth of competition in Australian basketball.
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