Great Scott leads Snakes into reckoning for finals
JORDAN GERRANS one like that who likes to share the ball and get everyone better.
“For me, he is the best player in the league right now, I believe that, and I believe we can do something special with him in our team.
“I know that is a lot to put on him, but that is the type of player he is, and he just wants to win. He has the competitive spirit.”
The 29-year-old Machado has adapted his playing style to what the Taipans need as the season has developed.
Early on, he was regularly dropping double figure assists, getting his teammates involved and full of confidence, which has slightly dropped over the last month, more looking to put the ball in the bucket himself.
The Brazilian-American has not gone past 10 assists since the calendar clicked over to 2020 and has twice drained 29 points.
“He has been even better than expected,” Kelly said.
“I did not know him as a person, but I went off talking to his coaches and people that have been around him, they all said good things, but he is a better person than that.
“It is showing with how he is with the group.
“And, basketball-wise, he has shot the ball really well and brought everyone else in too, and defended.
“His leadership has been great, and even better than what I expected from watching him from when he was in college.”
Cairns are 12-10 on the season and currently in third place. Kelly’s Taipans will be looking to lock in their finals position with a win over Adelaide tonight.