Why Windhorst says this NBL coach is a "bad arse"

Few coaches carry Gordon Herbert's global reputation, and ESPN's Brian Windhorst has revealed exactly what sets the New Zealand Breakers coach apart.

Joining Tim MacMahon, Derek Rucker and Olgun Uluc for a special edition of NBL Now, Windhorst shared a story that sums up Herbert's uncompromising approach to winning.

"Gordie Herbert, I've got to just say something about him. This guy's a bad arse," Windhorst said.

Windhorst, who covers international basketball, pointed to the standards Herbert set as Germany's head coach.

"He's a Canadian and he goes to coach the German team, and he tells all the German guys, he's like, 'Three-year commitment. I don't care if you're an NBA player. Three years. We're going to play in the EuroBasket. We're going to play in the World Cup. We're going to play in the Olympics. And if you don't play in those three years, you don't get to play in the Olympics. I don't care,'" Windhorst said.

Being willing to go without key players for the sake of team unity and preparation is rare at international level, and Herbert never wavered.

The approach paid off, with Germany winning the 2023 World Cup and EuroBasket under his watch.

"Totally had that team ready to play. The team that showed up for the World Cup was completely ready to go," Windhorst said.

Herbert has since brought the same approach to Canada, and Windhorst said the results speak for themselves. Two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned up for the qualifying window. Fellow NBA star Jamal Murray didn't.

"He goes, 'Clear your summers for the next... go on your vacation, Jamal. You ain't playing for us.' He tells Jamal Murray, NBA All-Star in his prime, you can't play for us. That's a guy who doesn't mess around."

Herbert is far from alone, with a number of NBL coaches now earning recognition well beyond the League.

Over the weekend, Uluc revealed South East Melbourne's Josh King had interviewed for the Portland Trail Blazers' vacant head coaching role in the off-season, and Windhorst was certain other NBA teams would have King on their lists.

Windhorst also singled out Brisbane Bullets coach Will Weaver, recalling the defensive plan he used against Victor Wembanyama while coaching Paris Basketball.

"He was one of the coaches who, you know, the way that they defend Wemby now, they put a four man on him," Windhorst said.

"Sometimes even a three, and just try to get under him and push him around. That's how Will Weaver started playing defence."

The list goes on. Jacob Chance made the move from the G League's Austin Spurs to take on the Melbourne United head coaching role, while Windhorst described Sydney's Brian Goorjian as "a legend" and said the League's mix of experienced and emerging coaches was "a real good spread of people who are in those positions."

Back in New Zealand, Herbert's standards are already showing, with the Breakers making a 3-2 start to the season.