Defence looks key to Cairns Taipans recovery

FORMER Basketball Queensland state performance manager for North Queensland and current coach of Gladstone in the QBL Brady Walmsley writes that better defence will turn around the Cairns Taipans season.

Devon Hall (right) of the Taipans runs with the ball during the Round 3 NBL match between Sydney Kings and Cairns Taipans at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Sunday, October 28, 2018. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)

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GENERALLY speaking, the Snakes offence has looked OK.

The action is centred around the high-level playmaking capabilities of Melo Trimble and DJ Newbill out of the pick ’n roll, with a balance of post focus for Nate Jawai.

Devon Hall hasn’t been good; but he is young and will come around with experience.

The “shooters” need to start shooting with more consistency, but there have been enough positive moments that you can trust it will come.

The priority for coach Mike Kelly is the defensive end.

The superficial numbers don’t scream at you — holding Adelaide to 91 is adequate, as is allowing Sydney 98 with an extra period.

But, when you look closely, it’s clear there is a disconnect between the players’ offensive enthusiasm and their defensive engagement.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — OCTOBER 28: Taipans head coach Mike Kelly talks to players during the round three NBL match between the Sydney Kings and the Cairns Taipans at Qudos Bank Arena on October 28, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

They are either over-helping or not helping enough; are reactive in their instincts and slow with their rotations; and are generally struggling to contain the ball at the point of attack.

Sending Adelaide to the line for 32 free throws at 90 per cent is a stat created by the 31 Taipans fouls.

That issue repeated two nights later, when Sydney had 30 free throw attempts to the Taipans’ seven.

With so many offensive minded players, the coaches need to find a way to energise their defensive motivations.

The easiest sell is that greater defensive effectiveness will work towards improved foul discipline and a decrease in opposition field goal percentage.

Generating missed baskets without a stoppage will allow the Snakes to play more often in early transition, which is where they seem to be best suited.

Originally published as Defence looks key to Cairns Taipans recovery