NBL, Bul Kuol: How ‘complete package’ has evolved his game at the Taipans

Taipans coach Adam Forde has lauded Bul Kuol as the “complete package” after the South Sudan star’s epic 40-minute outing in the injury-ravaged Snakes’ victorious return to Cairns.

Taipans coach Adam Forde has lauded Bul Kuol as the “complete package” after the South Sudan star’s epic 40-minute outing in the injury-ravaged Snakes’ victorious return to Cairns.

The Taipans overcame the loss of star import Patrick Miller to a back injury just before halftime but the likes of Kuol and Sam Waardenburg stepped up to lead Cairns past the defending champion Kings 87-80.

The NBL22 rookie of the year was a constant and consistent threat for Cairns, hitting important buckets at key moments for his 24-point outing which showcased the full suite of his arsenal.

The 40-minute stint is rare in the NBL nowadays, with Kuol the first of this campaign to hit the mark.

Only two men did so in regulation games last year, when Wildcats star Bryce Cotton played the full 40 minutes against the Jackjumpers and Taipans import Tahjere McCall did so against the 36ers on the same weekend.

Bul Kuol has taken his game to the next level under coach Adam Forde at the Taipans. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

It’s the type of performance which showed just how valuable the man is.

He entered his first campaign in Cairns at the end of the bench and was forced to earn his minutes.

Not only did Kuol become a primary member of Forde’s Taipans team, he claimed the rookie of the year award after setting a new record for most threes in a rookie season (64), breaking Shane Heal’s longstanding mark.

Kuol’s second season was one where he flexed his muscle at the other end of the court, playing his way into defensive player of the year consideration.

The Taipans won the race for his signature to return in NBL24, and Miller’s injury, combined with the absences of playmaking duo Tahjere McCall (family) and Taran Armstrong (foot), has unearthed another potentially underappreciated part of Kuol’s game.

Bul Kuol played all 40 minutes for the Taipans in their win against the Kings. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

Forde lauded Kuol’s growth, as the man who is the most-tenured NBL player on the Taipans roster takes the next step in his evolution as a basketballer.

“I haven’t experienced anything like him,” Forde said.

“He hasn’t come up through the usual pipeline where there’s a big-time college and a resume to have people take attention from day one. He’s had to work for everything; maybe that adds to the humbleness as well.

“His evolution into this year isn’t just his capability on the court but when he talks around the locker room, there’s things I’ve never seen Bul do before and he keeps surprising us every day. I’m lucky to have him.

“I don’t know what I’d do without him, he’s been absolutely fantastic for this group.

“You can take a direction we’re going with younger guys and invest in Bobi as a Next Star who is technically a rookie and learning the game, knowing that Bul’s out there providing that leadership that Tahj does.

“When Tahj comes back, these guys are going to hear it in stereo.

“They’re very different but 100 per cent compatible with the way they approach winning, and it’s awesome to watch him grow into this dominant beast.”

The Taipans will head off for a road double header next week with games at New Zealand (Friday) and South East Melbourne (Sunday).

TAIPANS AWAIT MILLER RESULTS

Taipans fans are holding their breath for news on the health of Patrick Miller after he injured his back in Saturday’s win against the Kings.

It was understood a banged-up and bruised Miller would go for scans on Monday as coach Adam Forde planned for the Taipans’ road double header this weekend in New Zealand (Friday) and South East Melbourne (Sunday).

Miller left the court just before halftime of the 87-80 win in their second game at the Snakepit this season after he had landed heavily following a mid-air collision.

The 31-year-old point guard collided with Kings forward Makauch Maluach and the momentum as he came back down to earth caused him to bang his head with some force on the hardwood.

Patrick Miller was injured in the win against the Kings. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

It’s understood he passed a concussion test on the night, but failed a fitness test at halftime.

Miller had struggled to walk normally after the impact and had a short stint on the sideline and with team physios.

The star import has carried a heavy load for the Taipans over the past month and his presence is crucial given the absences of fellow star import Tahjere McCall and rising Australian star point guard Taran Armstrong have left a big hole in the rotation.

McCall remained in the US after the Taipans’ historic trip to North America for the NBA pre-season for the birth of his first child.

Armstrong has struggled with a foot injury, which has restricted him to just one appearance for the Taipans – the NBA pre-season clash with the Wizards – and is yet to make his official NBL debut for the club.

Before the Kings game, Miller had averaged more than 35 minutes of court time, with 20.8 points, 6.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds.

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Originally published as NBL, Bul Kuol: How ‘complete package’ has evolved his game at the Taipans