'Platformely' know as Twitter is now NBL26 'X'-Factor

• ‍Andrew Bogut: 36ers 'chat about firing head coach'‍
• Why Brian Goorjian said 'F-You' to Owen Foxwell‍
• 'Adelaide being Adelaide': Inside the 36ers slump

Lucky for NBL fans over 16s aren't banned from social media in Australia.

The platform formerly known as Twitter has turned into the "X"-Factor ahead of the NBL26 Finals as assistant coach(es) and owners are chumming up the water daily since FIBA Hall of Famer and NBA champion Andrew Bogut posted on February 2: Pretty wild league where the 'leaders' of your team meet to chat about firing your Head Coach, whilst you sit in 1st place on the @NBL Ladder, with only a handful of games to go until the playoffs!"

It was a straight shot at the Adelaide 36ers, who sources told basketball.com.au, met to discuss head coach Mike Wells' ability to lead the South Australian club into the post season after they were hammered by South East Melbourne Phoenix by 20 at home.

"The adding up of the way they've played in this latest period, they've lost to Sydney, South East Melbourne, almost lost to New Zealand and then Adelaide being Adelaide management have started asking questions," the source said.

Adelaide's boss Grant Kelley dismissed the claim on The FIVEAA Sports Show yesterday: “There’s no way that we would, to any coach, let alone to Mike, who has that record, you know, countenance any form of change or switch or anything.”

Kelley demanded a social media Code of Conduct for club officials and an apology from the Kings for the Bogut post.

Bogut cryptically posted, without a description, Family Guy dad Peter Griffin on February 3.

Since then Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena and South East Melbourne Phoenix owner Romie Chaudhari have turned X into a playground - and we're here for it!

Chaudhari, before the Bogut post, had a solid crack at the 36ers after they demanded an apology from the Brisbane Bullets for their part in the wild melee during an Ignite Cup clash on the Gold Coast that resulted in seven players being ejected, Wells' disputed claims of Hunter Maldonado "punching" Nick Rakocevic and Terry Taylor putting Rakocevic in a headlock.

Arena was back at it again last night after the Kings laid down a marker against the South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena.

As was Bogut after he copped a sledged from an X user last night.

On Wednesday, the NBL announced it had fined the Wildcats for one of its assistants attempting to cover the on-court TV crew's camera during a post-game stoush between Kristian Doolittle and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.

"The National Basketball League (NBL) has determined that the Perth Wildcats breached clauses 2.3 and 2.6 of the NBL Code of Conduct in relation to interactions between Club personnel and broadcast staff during a live game broadcast," the statement said.

"Consistent with the Club’s obligations to ensure appropriate conduct by its personnel, the Perth Wildcats have been sanctioned with a $3,000 fine, comprising $2,000 payable immediately and $1,000 suspended for a period of 24 months. In determining the sanction, the NBL also had regard to a separate matter earlier in the season involving different Club personnel and interactions with broadcast staff. The suspended portion of the fine will be triggered should any Club personnel commit a further Code of Conduct breach involving interactions with broadcast personnel during that period.

"The Determination also requires the Club to complete internal education for relevant staff regarding appropriate interactions with broadcast and match-day personnel. In addition, Assistant Coach Ben Peterson will provide a formal written apology to the broadcast camera operator."

Chaudhari also chimed in on Kings head coach Brian Goorjian getting into with South East Melbourne Phoenix guard Owen Foxwell during the Kings second half demolition of his ball club on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

"I don’t just go at a player. He said something, I went back at him," Goorjian said.

"The last time we played them, and I showed what took place in that game, there was a lot of physical stuff. They don’t take a backward step. If they pop you, you pop them back. I thought last time we played them we took a bit of a backward step on the physicality side.

"So stay composed, don’t throw a punch, you can’t get ejected, but no backward steps."

Phoenix head coach Josh King used the press conference instead.

"What I do know is what I saw back in the locker room, and it is very disappointing," King said.

"A guy that everybody looks up to in this league, and I am not trying to make headlines, but Coach Goorjian telling one of our players “F-you” three times in a row is uncalled for. It is really surprising. A guy that has done everything he has done in his career to think it is okay to tell an opposing player “F-you” three times is very disappointing, and it is not right.

"It is what it is. Maybe he thinks that is okay. I just know I have never seen that before, and I have coached around the world.

"I have never seen an opposing coach do that. As much as I do not like wearing the microphone during the game, I am glad they picked that up, because that is completely uncalled for."

Australians have a rich tradition, somewhat dimmed post the Millennium unfortunately, of having a bit of fun, taking the p**s but this tea cup storm is fun-filled and just what the game needs to keep the news cycle interesting between games. And that's what this is. 🤗

After all, the NBL announced it had let in its one millionth fan to watch a game on the weekend.

NBL CEO David Stevenson said: “The appetite for fans to follow the League, clubs, and its stars is stronger than ever.

“Nail-biting finishes and huge moments have combined to deliver yet another fantastic season.

“We’re incredibly proud of the growth we’ve seen, with both new and existing fans engaging with the game more than ever before. We thank the clubs and players for delivering a truly monumental season, and we encourage fans to come along, be part of the atmosphere, and experience the remaining games and Finals live.”

basketball.com.au rates the "X"-Factor 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.