Fisher targets defensive lift
NBL CAIRNS Taipans might have shown positive signs during their pre-season but point guard Anthony Fisher believes his team needs to improve its defence before next week’s NBL season-opener.
The Taipans earned some much-needed confidence during a pre-season which included a sweep against the Brisbane Bullets and 2-0 record at the NBL Blitz in Tasmania. The wins against the NBL1 All Stars (87-68) and a 100-99 buzzer-beater against Adelaide were second-year coach Mike Kelly’s last look at the side before they open their season against Sydney Kings.
But Fisher, who was elevated from to the full roster after several years as a development and training player last month, said the team had to improve defensively.
“I think a lot of people watching would’ve seen against Adelaide we showed a lot of good signs for the most part of the game,” Fisher said. “I think as a team we have
start getting better to defensively, playing 40 minutes out rather than three, three and half quarters and then dropping off for a few patches, so that’s one massive area we have to get better at.”
The Taipans weren’t the worst team defensively last season – they allowed 92 points (fifth overall) per game on their way to a 6-22 record – but it’s an area Fisher said they had to improve before they welcome Andrew Bogut and the Kings to the Snakepit on Friday week.
Fisher will play a different role for the Taipans to what he’s experienced as part of the Marlins’ QBL side, but he was excited at the prospect of teaming with fellow QBL graduates Fabijan Krslovic and George Blagojevic.
“Things obviously change from the QBL to this. The ball’s probably not in my hands quite as much now so that’s something to get used to again.
“But between Fab, George and I we have a good chemistry already and we showed that at the Blitz against Adelaide,” Fisher said.