Melo turns it on extra against Taipans after recruiting snub

All the hoops news from around the NBL and QBL is in Jordan’s Air, including just how close an NBA-bound guard was to becoming a Cairns Taipan.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Kuany Kuany of Cairns rebounds the ball during the round 14 NBL match between the Brisbane Bullets and the Cairns Taipans at the Brisbane Entertainment centre on January 19, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

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We knew the Taipans had some discussions with NBA-bound guard LaMelo Ball in the off-season but ESPN NBA analyst Jonathan Givony took it a step further late last week.

The athletic guard has torched Cairns in two of their three meetings this season and Givony thinks Ball is doing it with more enthusiasm because the Snakes knocked him back.

“From speaking to LaMelo’s camp, the Taipans were the other main candidate for his services, but they decided they weren’t interested in him,” Givony told The Daily Telegraph.

ESPN NBA draft analysis and reporter Jonathan Givony. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“So, I think LaMelo has saved a little bit extra for them.”

A league source told Jordan’s Air earlier this year that during the negotiation process between Ball’s representatives and NBL clubs, the Hawks were happy to just take Ball, where Cairns had several questions about how he would fit and work within their club and system.

In his last two games versus the Taipans, he has scored 56 points and amassed 22 assists and 18 rebounds.

That type of production would be helpful for Mike Kelly right now.

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■Co-captain Nate Jawai was at his honest best when speaking ahead of the clash with Melbourne.

The experienced big man has been shifted between the starters and the bench this season and admitted it has taken some getting used too.

“I have been inconsistent I think, some games I show up, some I do not,” the imposing centre said.

“I am trying to find the medium level to perform consistently, it is tough to change the line-ups every few games, being with the starters and then with the bench.

“It is tough with a new team.”

Jawai is set for a big finish to the season.

■ Hopefully Kuany Kuany came land himself another NBL deal after being released by the Sydney Kings last week.

The small forward was a popular member of both QBL and NBL teams while in Cairns.

His teammates loved him and he was always smiling.

The Kings announced on Tuesday they had let Kuany go and immediately signed Boomers prospect Xavier Cooks after the 24-year-old was released by French side SG Strasbourg.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 20: Kuany Kuany of the Taipans goes to the basket during the round 10 NBL match between the Cairns Taipans and the Sydney Kings at the Cairns Convention Centre on December 20, 2018 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

■ Taipans guard Scott Machado and NBL referee Toni Caldwell had a cheeky exchange that was caught during the game on Friday night.

Caldwell, a former Cairns resident, used to do heaps of Taipans home games, but now she has relocated south, does not get as many in the Far North.

The American guard was surprised when Caldwell walked into the gym earlier in the day.

“You did not look like a ref when you walked in today,” Machado was heard saying on the broadcast.

■ Without going the early crow, the Sydney Kings are absolutely flying at the minute and should be hot favourites to lift the NBL title.

Perth and Melbourne are going to have to find an extra gear or two over the next few months to keep up with Will Weaver’s men.

Originally published as Melo turns it on extra against Taipans after recruiting snub