‘Team first’ Taipan gets old hoops mentor’s vote

Politics may not be his game but former NBL coach Alan Black is happy to give the newest Labor candidate for Leichhardt his ringing endorsement, declaring the former player has what it takes to represent the Far North in Canberra.

Former Cairns Taipans coach Alan Black shared countless huddles with former Snake and ALP candidate for Leichhardt, Matt Smith during his three seasons in the Far North.

Politics may not be his game but former NBL coach Alan Black is happy to give the newest Labor candidate for Leichhardt his ringing endorsement, declaring the former player has what it takes to represent the Far North in Canberra.

Long before the Prime Minister became his boss, Matt Smith toiled under the tutelage of the ex-Cairns Taipans mentor, serving as workmanlike big man, willing to do anything to help his team win on the court.

Labor Party candidate for Leichhardt Matt Smith and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese walk through sideshow alley together on the final day of the Cairns Show. Picture: Brendan Radke

“He was always very personable, a hell of a nice bloke,” Mr Black, who coached the Snakes for three seasons, said.

“He’s always been very good at networking. From the moment I met him he’s always had a positive outlook.”

Former Taipans head coach Alan Black worked with Matt Smith for three seasons.

Matt Smith throws down a dunk as teammate Scott Cook watches on during a Cairns Taipans training session.

The longtime coach said Mr Smith, who battled for court time throughout his journeyman NBL career spanning a decade, impressed him with his work ethic and care for his teammates.

“The thing I liked about him was whether he played two minutes or 20 minutes he always had a team first attitude,” Mr Black said.

“He’d laugh about the things he couldn’t do and was very self-deprecating.”

Being ready when called upon can be hard for professional athletes, particularly basketball players who’ve thrived at lower levels previously, Mr Black said.

“It’s one of those sports where you’ve got as many guys on the bench as you do on the court but you still work just as hard,” he said.

“It’s just that someone else brings something to the table that you may not.

“It’s hard to stay positive so I’ve always admired the guys who were able to do that.

Former Cairns Taipans professional basketball player Matt Smith has been officially endorsed as the Labor Party candidate for the seat of Leichhardt at the next federal election. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Black said he wished his former player well on the campaign hustings.

“Anything in politics is difficult,” he said.

“There’s so much you need to take into account and with social media you have to be careful too.

“I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole, personally, but I think he’ll be terrific.”

Alan Black also coached the Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcats during his time in the NBL.

Mr Smith said lessons learned on the hardwood will be taken with him into politics should he win at the next Federal election.

“When I was playing for the Taipans, I was a hard-nosed player,” he said.

“My coaches knew it, my teammates knew it, the crowd knew it.

“When my time came I was going to do whatever was necessary. That’s what I’ll bring to this. That’s the attitude and energy I’ll be taking to Canberra.”

Originally published as ‘Team first’ Taipan gets old hoops mentor’s vote