OBSERVATIONS FROM THE TAIPANS’ 24-POINT WIN AGAINST ILLAWARRA HAWKS

INDIGENOUS ROUND

WAS CELEBRATED

There was an excellent show of love to the entire indigenous community with the first-ever round to honour their contribution to the game.

And, on Friday night, the Snakes made sure they got their big indigenous Australian of Torres Strait Islander descent, Nate Jawai, an early bucket.

The co-captain came from the bench and when he was injected into the game in the first term, Mike Kelly ran a play to get Jawai an easy score from a backdoor cut, with Scott Machado and

Mirko Djeric setting it up perfectly. Jawai finished with six points and two rebounds.

IT WAS LOUD

Usually at Snakes games, it takes until the fourth quarter when big shots are hit to really raise the volume. It sounded like the fourth quarter from the opening seconds on Friday night. Everyone is getting on the bandwagon with a finals push just weeks away.

KOBE WAS REMEMBERED The Lakers great was recognised before tip-off and inside the first minute of the game, as clubs in the NBA have done over the last week.

A sold-out venue applauded for 24 seconds before the match in tribute to the late Bryant.

Import big man Cameron Oliver threw down a massive doubleclutch reverse dunk on a fast break, which Kobe used to do often, and when celebrating the dunk, Oliver threw up Kobe’s numbers with his fingers.

And, even the final score resembled Kobe, with Cairns winning 99-75 – by 24 points, the number Kobe wore for the back end of his career.

THE BENCH GOT

THEIR CHANCE

The Snakes’ first seven of their rotation have played big minutes of late with Kouat Noi still out. But, they got some rest on Friday night as George Blagojevic. Anthony Fisher and Tad Dufelmeier received extended minutes for the first time all season.

“We haven’t gone real deep into our bench consistently,” coach Mike Kelly said post-match.

“The guys who have gotten more minutes have earned them.

“We think about percentage as we fight for a possible finals berth and what it could mean but we are about developing the players we have and building the future for the Taipans.”

FLINN DID NOT

SUGAR-COAT IT

The Hawks were barely competitive on Friday night and Illawarra coach Matt Flinn let them have it. “I think that was one of our worst losses of the year,” he said.

“The mindset in which we came in with, particularly at the start of the game, was not good enough at this level. (Cairns) were just hungry. Credit to them.”

He also mentioned his halftime message was pretty fierce, as well. Rookie Sam Froling (13 points) was a shining light for the Hawks.

FORMER PLAYERS

IN THE BUILDING

The legend that is Alex Loughton is always out supporting the Snakes but a few of his former teammates were in the crowd on Friday.

Retired centre Matt Burston was in the building, while former Taipans and Marlins fan favourite Damon Heuir was also on hand.