Top quality night for Kuol in first Taipans’ starting side
IT IS no easy feat stepping up to replace NBL20 MVP runner-up, on-court general and point god Scott Machado.
But Taipans’ Bul Kuol has fit in nicely with the new-look Taipans starting five.
The newcomer looked right at home as he slotted into the starting five for the first time in a regular season game Saturday’s record win against the 36ers.
Kuol was a key defensive piece for his team, providing key blocks and getting two steals in Cairns’ historic 26-point win against the 36ers, which doubled as the Snakes’ biggest win against the South Australians.
He also scored eight points and had four assists, but Kuol’s primary job was to bring the spark.
“My job is simple - just come in and give my team energy on the defensive end,” Kuol said.
“That’s what I tried to do tonight when my name was called.
“Nobody can fill Scotty’s shoes because he’s the best point guard in the league. For me, it was just giving my team energy on the defensive end.”
Kuol is a proven danger from range, having proven adept from three earlier in the season and during his collegiate stints at Cal Baptist and Detroit Mercy.
But, defensively, Taipans coach Adam Forde admitted the club was unsure what Kuol might be capable of given Mercy’s shift to zone defence, and took a gamble on the forward. It’s paid off so far.
“While we were happy with his offensive game, we didn’t know what type of player we were gonna get,” he said.
“I’ve been ecstatic with the assignments he’s had two weeks in a row where we’ve put him on Josh Adams and Josh Magette [JackJumpers] to be disruptive.
“Saturday, he took the responsibility of Macca [Mitch McCarron, 36ers] who’s one of the best Australian point guards going around.
“I’m very happy with Bul and how he goes about business.”
The Taipans travel to Brisbane for the first Sunshine Stoush of the season on Boxing Day, then return to the Cairns Convention Centre for a New Year’s Eve clash with New Zealand Breakers.