NBL Taipans: Tahjere McCall’s inspired rise in the NBL: Iverson and the streets of Philadelphia

As the driving force behind the Taipans, Tahjere McCall’s electrifying style finds its roots in the heart of Philadelphia, where the echoes of resilience, hustle, and a relentless drive continue to define his journey in the NBL.

Taipans Tahjere McCall Piece Credit: Gyan-Reece Rocha

Taipans cornerstone Tahjere McCall has revealed the blueprint to his success in the NBL as he leads Cairns into a make-or-break clash with the Adelaide 36ers as the Snakes chase a spot in the top six, and keep hopes of a maiden championship alive.

Now in his third year, McCall, 29, brings a belligerent brand of basketball that shines brightest on the big stage.

The franchise leader has an ingrained renegade spirit that digs deep and drives Taipans forward, a hustle embraced by the Orange army. But what exactly roots this spirit for the game?

We’re going to have to go back to his early years in Philadelphia to find part of the answer, is ‘the Answer.’

WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18: Tahjere McCall of the Taipans is challenged by Tyler Harvey of the Hawks during the round 16 NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre, on January 18, 2024, in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

THE ANSWER

Showstopper Allen Iverson, ‘the Answer,’ was an icon for Philadelphia and an idol for a young McCall. McCall said he and his family were devout followers, in awe watching Iverson and his league-destroying crossover run through the NBA Eastern Conference in 2001.

Basketballer Allen Iverson. NBA basketball - Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors match at Air Canada Centre in Toronto 08 Nov 2006. a/ct

“My mum used to cry over him, it was kind of dramatic to be honest,” McCall said.

“Every time Iverson would fall or get hurt, she loved him, so she would be crying like she was at the game.

“My dad used to take me to a couple games and we would have seats all the way at the top.

“There were a couple years where 76ers went bad (around 2008-2012), we got to move down, get close and watch Iverson.”

The armband. The finger sleeves. The headband. All matching his infamous black or white 76ers jersey with sixers stitched across the chest. It was part of the allure of Iverson.

JUNE 6, 2001 : Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson (ball) drives by Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O'Neal (R) during the second half of the NBA Finals Game 1 at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, 06/06/01. Basketball A/CT

However, for the former Brooklyn Nets guard, it was Iverson’s endeavour that jump-started his journey to the NBA and NBL.

“It was the heart for me,” he said.

“Just seeing how he carried a team that wasn’t the most talented to the Finals without excuse.

“Tall, strong, good, bad. He attacked everybody the same way.

“He’d get knocked down, he’d get right back up and do the same thing the whole game. He had that relentless drive.

“That’s how I try and play the game. It’s all I’ve known and all I’ve seen.”

CULTURE SHOCK

Iverson, the 2001 NBA MVP and four-time NBA scoring champion, was the defining player of his era. Culture was not just changed, but defined by him inbetween an era of NBA icons Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 7: Tahjere McCall of the Taipans in action during the round two NBL match between Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans at Nissan Arena, on October 7, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images)

“The braids, the tattoos, now that I think about it, there’s a lot of influence (from him) that I didn’t know was an influence,” McCall said.

“There’s this picture of him, where he had an injury on every part of his body.

“He’d get bashed up in the paint but he never used that as an excuse for why he couldn’t perform.

“It teaches a bigger life lesson, especially for me being from Philadelphia, there’s so many challenges, things to complain about, excuses to make.

“He taught me a love for the game, what it can do, what it means and how it should be respected.

“Unless I’m (severely) injured, I’m playing. It’s just what I’ve been taught from watching him.”

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - 2023: Tahjere McCall of the Taipans and Gorjok Gak of the Bullets compete for the ball in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

TOUGH LOVE

Philadelphia shares a story of grit, heart and tough love.

The streets echo a symphony of hustle but the concrete jungle also whispers tales of defiance.

McCall and Iverson share a belief and an experience that nothing is given, everything is earned.

“There’s so much you go through in Philadelphia, that once you get away, you can handle anything, especially on the court,” McCall said.

“You fight every time you play outside on the court, you have to have that type of heart and attitude.

“It’s really a fist fight every time you play with your brothers.

“You still carry that in you and it’s still in me.”

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 17: Angus Glover and Tahjere McCall of the Taipans exchange words during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between Cairns Taipans and Sydney Kings at Cairns Convention Centre, on February 17, 2023, in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

McCall said the resilient gauge naturally emerges in clutch situations.

“The mentality comes out when it needs to come out,” he said.

“It’s like a trauma or a defence mechanism that naturally arises in the flow of the game.

“It’s not like I go out there every game with aggression, I’d rather enjoy the game, but sometimes it’s needed.

“There’ll be a challenge and I’ll have to stand up for what I believe in.”

Tahjere McCall shares a clear passion for the game, but he also owns a story of how he used it to find inspiration in its rugged beauty and build his character on his journey to the top.

Originally published as NBL Taipans: Tahjere McCall’s inspired rise in the NBL: Iverson and the streets of Philadelphia