Tough final games great to practise pressure plays

ASK LOUGHZ

THE Snakes have two road games to finish the regular season. What do you want to see out of them building towards the playoffs?

I want to see the Taipans continue to put together complete games and improve the situation plays from side inbounds plays under pressure and base inbound plays under pressure.

The last three opponents have not presented playoff calibre basketball so these two games should be tougher.

Do you think Cairns’ game style will stack up well in the playoffs this season?

Yes, the Taipans style does stack up well in the playoffs.

They are playing unselfish basketball and Scott Machado set the tone and it has now caught on with the team with great ball distribution.

I don’t think any one of the top three teams are ahead of anyone else.

Taipans have as great a chance as any to go deep into post-season.

Kouat Noi has just come back into the squad. How will his inclusion impact the entire squad this weekend and into the playoffs seeing as he has been out for six weeks?

Noi played important minutes last game. Coach Mike Kelly managed his court time even though you could see he wanted more.

But, he got after the glass and his impact in playoffs will be huge because he obtains extra possessions with his hustle for boards and loose balls.

The award nominations came out last week. Which Snakes do you see getting a trophy at the awards ceremony?

I see Machado and Cameron Oliver being selected in the All-NBL First Team. I think DJ Newbill will get second team and is coming in favourite for Defensive Player of Year.

I think Mirko Djeric has a good chance at sixth man. I think Noi will be pipped for rookie of the year by LaMelo Ball, which is a shame because that trophy will probably go straight into the Yarra River by Docklands next to James Ennis’ first team NBL trophy from 2016. I don’t think LaMelo

will care too much to have it sent to the USA.

I think Coach of Year is a toss up with Sydney coach Will Weaver being the only coach in history to keep his team on top the whole year, and Kelly, the greatest improvement from last to third.

If you have a question for Loughz about the Cairns Taipans season – email jordan.gerrans@news.com.au and we will get the club legend to answer it.