Pinder prepares for double header
INJURY SCARE FADES
KEANU Pinder is preparing for a big double header for the Taipans after a serious cork sent an injury scare through the Cairns camp.
Pinder went down with what looked like a serious injury during Monday night’s thrilling win against the JackJumpers in Tasmania.
At the time, fans feared the worst, as did Pinder, the Boomers representative who left the court and was in danger of not returning.
“My leg didn’t work,” Pinder said.
“I was trying to move it but it didn’t work, it didn’t move. I guess my leg was in shock.
“There was a lot of pain, so I guess that just shut my leg down.
“It came good in the end and I could get back on court.”
Pinder’s injury was a bad cork, and he returned to the fray to further boost an impressive stat line that ended with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals.
A performance like that in the Taipans’ first game of the new NBL season underlined Pinder’s outstanding growth since moving to Cairns.
That was recognised by the league last season when he claimed the NBL’s Most Improved Player award, along his debut selection for the Boomers in their FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Pinder returned from the national team experience a more rounded and confident player, which can only help the Taipans’ chances in NBL23.
And his biggest takeaway to do with preparation and impact.
“Honestly, stay ready,” Pinder said.
“I played limited minutes with the Boomers, and I played as hard as I could and came out playing pretty well.
“The time I got, I played well. I feel like it’s a goal of mine, and I can continue to strive towards that.
“Playing for the Boomers is a great experience, and I look forward to playing hard for this team, playing to my strengths.”
As for the win over Tasmania, which featured an unbelievable 72-44 middle half of the game and sent the Snakes to a temporary hold on top spot of the NBL ladder, Pinder was not surprised.
This is a team high on confidence, and out to prove all of the critics who put the Taipans towards the bottom of their predicted ladders were wrong in their assessment of the side.
“(It) feels great, like I said to the boys, that was expected for us,” Pinder said.
“We know what we can do, what we can provide to this league, and I think we’re going to do well this season.”
The Taipans travel to Victoria on Friday ahead of Saturday afternoon’s clash with South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena.
They then return home for their first game of the new campaign at Cairns Convention Centre, when they welcome former coach Mike Kelly and the Perth Wildcats to the tropics on Monday night.