HORROR WEEKEND FOR SNAKES
THINGS are going from bad to worse for the Cairns Taipans.
When a team is on a 10game losing streak, there is going to be countless disheartening moments, but the Round 8 double beat down is almost certainly the lowest in Mike Kelly’s tenure.
These Snakes have sent Perth and Sydney to overtime earlier in the season but the losses to Illawarra on Friday and the Wildcats yesterday lacked fight and spirit as they never really threatened to snap the streak.
Cairns’ reputation over the last decade has been of a club that will battle for four quarters, grind out every possession and make big-spending rivals earn every victory.
The 2018-19 Snakes are inconsistent with their defensive effort, lack cohesion on the offensive end and turn the ball over way too often for an NBL team.
Perth extended their lead at will yesterday and while Illawarra did not blow out the Snakes on Friday night, Hawks coach Rob Beveridge never seemed too worried on the sidelines.
Australian basketball legend Shane Heal summed up the Taipans’ plight on social media during the game.
“Cairns will not win again until they commit at the defensive end. Refuse to do the little things and give up 52 points in the first half,” Heal said.
Heal goes by the nickname “Hammer” and he certainly hammered home the point for those who have watched Cairns this season.
Fellow NBL commentator Corey “Homicide” Williams said during the game he was not sure if the Snakes would be able to add to their one win in season 2018-19.
After keeping pace in the opening minutes, the ladder leaders skipped out to a 14point advantage by the first change.
Perth eventually cruised to a 94-72 win to send Cairns to 1-10 on the season.
Experienced pair Nate Jawai and DJ Newbill can hold their heads high for putting in admirable efforts but they did not have enough helpers.
Shooting guard Newbill arguably played his best game for the club as he was engaged on both sides of the ball.
“We have got to get it together,” Newbill said postmatch.
“No more talking … we have to come to work.”
It was the second straight disastrous result for the club in Perth, after they were blown out by 28 in the final game of last season.