Double-header is battle of coaches
MAOR ‘NOSE AHEAD’
TWO of the early frontrunners for NBL’s Coach of the Year will face off on Friday night in the first game of the biggest home double-header in Cairns’ recent history.
The third-placed Taipans will welcome to the tropics the top two teams in the NBL, as the Far North’s only national team hosts second-placed New Zealand Breakers on Friday before backing up against the league-leading Kings on Monday. It shapes as a shootout between three key contenders for the NBL’s Coach of the Year, according to NBL broadcaster and analyst Liam Santamaria.
On NBL Today, Santamaria rated Breakers coach Mody Maor “a nose ahead” of the Taipans’ Adam Forde and Sydney’s Chase Buford in a threeway dance for the annual title.
“That group, they’re 8-3, really looking solid,” Santamaria said of the Breakers.
“But the work they’ve done despite a really, really tough schedule has been super impressive.
“You can just see a feel amongst the group; they love playing for Mody Maor. They give him absolutely everything, every possession.
“I also love he’s keeping his guys accountable.
“Izayah Le’Afa is an elite defender, but the other day … a slack close-out, got beaten off the dribble, and it happened again the next possession and bang, he’s off the floor and Mody’s saying ‘that’s not how we go about defending’.
“All three of those guys have been terrific … but I think Maor would get my vote right now.”
The Taipans blew an 11point first-quarter lead to fall 68-64 when the Breakers travelled to Cairns last month.
It is the most glaring hiccup to date on the record of the Taipans, who have had a rough trot at home.
Their last home game was a memorable 25-point thumping of Melbourne United, and they are keen to make it two wins in a row at the Cairns Convention Centre.
But they haven’t taken their eye off the Breakers, who assistant coach Sam Gruggen said were confident after starting the season with an 8-3 record.
“Mody has them playing good basketball right now, they’re confident and they believe in what they do,” Gruggen said.
“Every team has runs – it’s how you limit the run.
“We have no question on how hard they’re going to play.
“When we drop shots, we’re good and we’re hard to stop.”
As one battle rages on the court, another will be contested on the sideline between two teams that have turned lean NBL22 campaigns into earlyseason success.
“Bottom two last season and now those teams are flying,” Santamaria said.
“Those teams are really playing for their coaches, getting it done at the defensive end of the floor.
“I would think if people were to cast their vote now, it would be a really tight count, with those two right at the pointy end of proceedings.”
■ The Breakers will endure another rough weekend, with Friday’s clash with Cairns followed by a home game against the Bullets on Sunday. Tip-off is at 6.30pm.