Much-needed rest to prime Snakes

The Cairns Taipans will have a full six days between their Round 6 loss to South East Melbourne and their Round 7 clash with Illawarra. And according to head coach Adam Forde, they need it.

The Taipans faltered in Sunday’s defeat to the Phoenix, and scored fewer points in each consecutive quarter of the game.

Tahjere McCall made his return to the court following time off for the birth of his son, while Taran Armstrong continues to adapt to the pace of the NBL following a string of injuries.

“We played how we looked,” Forde said of the defeat. “Everyone was getting frustrated, I was getting frustrated with the group, players were getting frustrated with themselves, uncharacteristic type behaviours.

“The reality is the most surprising factor is it was as close as what it was. We can pick it apart, but the reality is my main priority is I want to get the boys home, give them a day off and give them a week to ready their bodies and prepare for a home game.”

Center Sam Mennenga came off the bench, as natural wing Bobi Klintman was shifted up to the starting power forward position.

Mennenga played just nine minutes for three points, while import big Josh Roberts played fewer than five minutes.

Forde says Mennenga will benefit from the extended period off more than any other player on his side.

“He's got everything going on at the moment,” Forde said of the New Zealand-born center.

“He’s tough as nails, but without going into too much detail on it we’re relying on him unnecessarily at the moment just as we’re trying to get everyone else going.

“He’s tough, but he probably needs this week more than anyone.”

Armstrong once again started for the Taipans as he continues to integrate into Cairns’ system, but continued on the minutes restriction he has in place, which saw him play just 16 minutes for 12 points, no assists and four turnovers against the Phoenix.

The draft-eligible guard says the time for his adaptation is over.

“The big thing for me has been conditioning, it’s been difficult sitting out and not being able to go and this is the most intense basketball I’ve ever played,” he said.

“I’m fighting for air and fighting fatigue quite a bit, I think that was pretty obvious when I was making some silly errors, but it’s also feel, it’s rhythm.

“It’s the first time I’ve played basketball in quite a while and games are totally different to practice. You can’t simulate game preparation, and I think that out of whack, out of rhythm, me not being able to lead the group is done and I’m definitely going to be ready to play against Illawarra.”

Cairns’ next game will come against the Hawks on Saturday, November 11 at 5:30pm AEDT.