Push to build on sizzling record
THE Taipans are coming off the high of winning two in a row, but coach Adam Forde isn’t ready to ring the Christmas bells just yet.
The Snakes’ latest victory came in the form of a 26-point dismantling of the Adelaide 36ers at the Cairns Convention Centre in round 3.
Despite the win, Forde said there were plenty of things to work on – especially if the Snakes are to defeat another NBL team flying high: the Brisbane Bullets who took down top team Illawarra Hawks.
“We got outscored 18-4 in the last seven minutes because we turned off – championship winning teams don’t turn it off,” Forde said.
While the Snakes have won two straight, the team continues to battle the injury bug.
Both development player Brayden Inger and Jordan Ngatai’s recoveries are “progressing well”, according to Forde.
However, return to action dates for both Mirko Djeric and star point guard Scott Machado remain less clear.
Forde said the key to continuing success inspite of injuries was focusing on consistency in what could be controlled.
“You try to keep your consistency with the prep rolling into it,” he said. “The way we prepare for it on game day will be the same, it just happens to be a different venue.
“Some of the guys are taking family with them as well, maybe that’ll make it feel more like home than on the road.
“It’s a two-hour flight down the road; we’ll just try to keep it as consistent as possible and try to get some wins on the road.”
One Taipans player whose defensive prowess continues to garnish praise is Bul Kuol, who will keep his spot on the starting five this week against the Bullets.
“He shot 3 from 12, and the reason he’s staying out there is because of how he played defensively,” Forde said.
Another player who impressed in his limited exposure was training partner Robbie Heath, who most recently played ball in the NBL1 South for the Diamond Valley Eagles.
Heath played a little more than three minutes, went 0-1 in the field and drew a foul.
“He’s still finding his way. He’s an ambitious and enthusiastic young man and it was great that his first possession was a charge,” Forde said.
“These were the things we were harping on about all week, there was the one percenters and the effort.
“Once we figure him out more, he’ll be a nice little addition.
“For now, we’re not trying to throw him in the deep end, we want him to grow in confidence and we’ll do that at a nice, steady pace.”