Mark Worthington unloads on Bullets coach Stu Lash

• ‍'Everywhere' McVeigh's clutch three sinks Bullets‍
• NBL Next Stars surpass colleges as NBA pathway‍
• Opinion: Stu Lash surprise may be NBL's biggest gamble

NBL champion and four-time All-NBL First Team member Mark Worthington has slammed Brisbane Bullets head coach Stu Lash declaring "he's not a coach".

"Red flags at the Bullets with Stu Lash," wrote on Twitter today.

"Worldwide search for a (Head Coach). Gifted by his mate and co-owner (Jason) Levien. Basketball Resume: Scout & Video co-ordinator (02-06); (and) Director of play personnel (09-12).

"This team deserves better. He’s not a coach. Vandy & DMac are babysitting."

Worthington, 42, played 265 games in the NBL and won a championship with the Melbourne Tigers in 2009. He was selected to the All-NBL First Team in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012, Rookie of the Year in 2006 to go with two Olympic Games for the Boomers in 2008 and 2012.

He is also no stranger to the Queensland clash. He played for the Taipans between 2015 and 2017.

Worthington's criticism comes less than 24 hours after the Brisbane Bullets were beaten 83-82 on the road to the Cairns Taipans. Bullets guard Javon Freeman-Liberty missed a runner as the clock expired that would have won it.

Greg "Vandy" Vanderjagt and Darryl "DMac" Donald have been shown during telecasts running timeouts, which led to Worthington's claim they are "babysitting" the first-time coach.

basketball.com.au website editor Brayden Heslehurst wrote in April the 49-year-old Lash's appointment was "surprising, shocking (and) out of the blue."

"The city of Brisbane may have a new casino but I thought the decision makers at the Bullets were done being players at the poker table.

"The Brisbane Bullets just bought the ultimate lotto ticket."

Heslehurst also reported "the quality coaches (came) out of the woodwork.

"Two-time championship coach with the Kings in Chase Buford was reportedly interested but the Bullets weren’t. Then two of the finalists included former New Zealand Breakers coach Paul Henare and David Gomez, who is coaching the Toyama Grouses in Japan."

The Bullets are 1-1 after two games to start the season and Lash has already lost tough veteran Mitch Norton to a knee injury and point guard Sam McDaniel after less than four minutes against the Taipans.

Lash was heard in an early time out pleading his his team to pass the basketball as well drawing skepticism from the commentary team late in the game for calling a timeout with the Bullets down four with possession.

'When I talk about one-pass shots, I don’t think it matters who’s bringing the ball up the floor," said in his post game press conference.

Lash also addressed speculation he was jawing with Cairns Taipans big man during the game.

"I don’t think he needs me to fire him up, and it wasn’t even me talking to him," Lash said.

"I told him, “I’m not talking to you, man.” It came from somebody else — either on the bench or the floor. He plays hard, he’s fired up all the time."

Lash addressed his transition from the front office to the sideline with basketball.com.au reporter Banjo Tucker in early August.

“(The transition) has been great,” Lash said.

“There’s always a transitional period, and we don’t get started right away when a move like this happens… but I have been part of the club for a number of years now.

"So, it was like the relationships were already there.

We’ve put ourselves in a position now where the goal realistically is to compete for a top four spot every year.

“That’s how the top teams in this league work… Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, they put themselves in a position to be consistently competitive.

“You can’t skip steps.

"There’s things that we’ve done over the last couple of years off the basketball court that I think have put us in a position to be at the table with big players.”

The Bullets had to Adelaide on Sunday for their third straight road game to start the season and Lash is already facing criticism from within the NBL bubble via Worthington.

"We embrace the challenge," Lash declared.

“Play anybody, anywhere, anytime — that’s been our mentality since I got the job.

"No complaints, no excuses. We’re professionals, that’s what we get paid to do. We’ll be ready."

Stu Lash biography on the Brisbane Bullets website

"Stu brings decades of experience across coaching, scouting, and basketball operations to the Brisbane Bullets, having been involved in the game at both NBA and grassroots levels. Before being appointed Head Coach ahead of the 2025/26 NBL season, Stu served as the Bullets’ Senior Basketball Advisor, working closely with the front office on recruitment, development, and long-term planning. Originally from New York, Stu’s professional journey includes time with the Memphis Grizzlies as Director of Player Personnel and with the Denver Nuggets in coaching roles. He’s also spent time in coaching and player development roles across high school, collegiate, and professional basketball, both in the U.S. and internationally. Stu is known for his eye for talent, his structured approach to building winning cultures, and his genuine care for player development on and off the court."