NBL Champion Praises Forde, Maor for Finals Turnaround

The incredible turnaround of the Cairns Taipans and New Zealand Breakers is just about complete.

Both sides have locked in their places in the post-season. While the Breakers could still finish anywhere between second and fifth depending on future results, the Taipans have secured at least one game at home by locking in a top three finish.

It seems an age ago that these two sides were scraping the bottom of the table – but it was only last season where the Breakers finished last with just five wins, while the Taipans were just one place above them with nine wins of their own.

Speaking on NBL Today, Peter Hooley says the Breakers need to do all they can to hold onto Mody Maor.

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“You look back at the way too early predictions and nobody would have ever predicted this based on last year,” Hooley said.

“You look at last year, the roster turnover is one thing, but what Mody Maor has done – that outpouring of emotion just showed what it means to him and where he’s taken this club in a short amount of time.

“Over the last two years they’ve matured after what they’ve been through in those four walls, and then to do what they’ve done now – it’s a massive testament to him.

“I think they need to lock him away for as long as they can because he’s built a foundation there.”

Having locked away a top three spot, Hooley was also full of praise for the work Adam Forde has done with the Taipans.

After taking the reins of the side last season, Forde transformed the roster ahead of NBL23 by bringing in the likes of DJ Hogg, Shannon Scott and Sam Waardenburg to make up for key losses that included Kouat Noi, Nate Jawai and the injured Scott Machado.

“They had some key pieces move on and brought in some new pieces people weren’t sure of … they’re the youngest roster in the league,” Hooley said.

“Tahjere McCall missed a few games, Keanu Pinder missed a few games, Keanu Pinder missed six games and now he misses a couple more – they still managed to tick away wins.

“Look at that win against the Bullets. It wasn’t pretty but it was battle hardened. Tahjere McCall was on one leg and we just wanted to go out there, grit and grind and just get it done.

“That’s a testament to what Adam Forde has done.”

The Taipans take on an Adelaide side that needs to win to stay in the finals hunt live on ESPN at 7:30pm on Monday night via Kayo Sports and Foxtel.