NBL24: Cairns Taipans season preview, starting five analysis, predictions and more

It was another off-season exodus for the Cairns talent factory but coach Adam Forde has assembled another youthful squad with talent to burn. Will it be enough to stay in the finals picture?

A boatload of elite talent walked out the door from Cairns in the off-season but they Taipans have replenished their roster with a bevy of exciting young talents, eager to ensure the clubs doesn’t fall out of the finals race.

Can the Taipans pull off another shock?

Matthew McInerney looks at their NBL24 chances.

Club: CAIRNS TAIPANS

Last season: Semi finals (2-1 loss to Kings), 18-10 (3rd)

Coach: Adam Forde (29-32)

Full roster: Akoldah Gak, Bobi Klintman (Next Star), Bul Kuol, Jonah Antonio, Josh Roberts*, Lachlan Anderson, Lat Mayen, Patrick Miller*, Sam Mennenga, Sam Waardenburg, Tahjere McCall*, Taran Armstrong

Bench Punch

Taran Armstrong: Exciting emerging point guard out of Burney, Tasmania, Armstrong is an elite passer of the ball despite his youth. Blessed with great vision, Armstrong is mature, remarkably composed, and out to improve his NBA Draft stock.

NBA Draft hopeful Taran Armstrong will add elite passing to the Taipans. Picture: Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL

Bobi Klintman: The Swedish Sensation arrived in Cairns as a NBL Next Star and hopes to leave as a high lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Klintman, described as the ‘NBA prototype’, has all the tools to impress across the court: he can shoot, defend, plays multiple positions and is athletically blessed.

Josh Roberts: Joins Cairns from Manhattan College where he averaged 12.6 points and 9.6 rebounds, with the second highest field goal percentage (70.2 per cent, a single-season program record) in the country. The 206cm forward brings length and is another handy offensive weapon.

Coach’s corner

It’s a new look team in Adam Forde’s third season in the tropics as a number of young and budding basketball stars shift north to join “the factory”.

The growth of two-time NBL most improved player Keanu Pinder has shown prospects what Forde can do for players in the environment he’s created in Cairns, and it shows in the young and exciting roster he’s built.

Tahjere McCall remains the central figure of Forde’s roster, in which Bul Kuol has the most NBL experience with his 61 games, while returning NBL Next Generation player Sam Waardenburg adds some consistency.

But Forde isn’t worried by any concept of inexperience in his line-up, instead banking on the talent.

“Games played will never be a greater factor than talent,” he said. “We have talent, we have arguably the best back court in the league and neither of them have played a game in the league. Bul … is the best small forward in the league. If you can give me a 300-game veteran, it doesn’t’ mean they’ll be any good on the court.”

Taipan Coach Adam Forde rates Bul Kuol the best small forward in the NBL. Picture: Brendan Radke

What’s changed since last year?

This Taipans team will carry a weight of expectation not seen in the tropics since NBL21.

In that season, the Taipans came off a semi final loss to Perth in NBL20 and put together a disastrous wooden spoon after going 8-28.

That woeful campaign ultimately ended in the appointment of Forde, who has built an identity Cairns can proud of.

A run to the NBL23 semi finals has given the Orange Army reason to believe this club could be a contender again, and there is a sense of optimism in the tropics that this side could replicate – or better – that outcome from last summer

Regardless of what the fans – or critics - say, Forde said the internal expectation and pressure they put on themselves would far outstrip any noise from outside of the group.

“The expectation we’ll put on ourselves, but this is a new team, with new goals and new challenges,” Forde said. “Last year is done, we’ve got a new lineup that’s gonna have a different focus of how they want to go about the season. Noone will put more pressure or expectation on us than ourselves.”

Expectations are high in Cairns for Adam Forde’s team. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Hot Seat: Tahjere McCall

Cairns do not run with an official captain but McCall is as close to one as the Taipans get.

The roster has been built around a talent coach Forde has described as “special”, and he’s undoubtedly this team’s leader on and off the court. He has battled injury over the past 12 months, missing several NBL games then being ruled out of the Blitz after he aggravated a hip injury, and the expectation would be he needs to remain fit for the Snakes to fire.

The Taipans’ chances don’t live and die by McCall, but with his playing such an integral role in the construction of this team, he will play a major part – whether he’s on the court or not.

Tahjere McCall is again expected to be the Taipans’ talisman. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

The Big question

Can Forde balance the weight of expectation with the youngest roster in the league?

Forde’s Taipans made league fans and critics alike eat crow during their run to the semi finals in NBL23, but with that run has put the magnifying glass on Cairns this season.

The roster is overhauled after the departure of classy duo DJ Hogg (Kings) and Keanu Pinder (Wildcats), but in their place is a number of seriously talented young basketballers who are motivated to win – and, for at least three, land new homes in the NBA Draft.

Forde is banking on the talent of young and rising stars like Taran Armstrong, Sam Mennenga, Josh Roberts and Akoldah Gak, plus Next Star Bobi Klintman, to play key roles.

Import guard Patrick Miller will bring years of experience from leagues across the world, Bul Kuol is most tenured Taipans, in terms of NBL experience, with 61 appearances to his name, while unofficial captain Tahjere McCall has played 47 NBL games.

Sam Mennenga looks to be one of the NBL’s rising stars. Picture: Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL

Prediction

Mick Randall says: It’s in the Snakes’ DNA to punch above their weight and, after everyone wrote them off last season, they exceeded all outside expectations to win 18 games and finish second, coach Adam Forde claiming the Coach of the Year. Just about everyone outside of Bul Kuol, Sam Waardenburg and Tahjere McCall left and they’ve replenished their stocks with a crew of young, talented — and very long — athletes that gives them a sky-high ceiling ... and likely plenty of tough nights as they develop.

Matt Logue says: Cairns will be doubted again in NBL24, but the Taipans thrive off being the underdogs. Look at last season. Predicted to win the spoon and made the playoffs. I’m tipping the Snakes to again be a competitive force this season. Next Stars signing Bobi Klintman looks every bit the first-round NBA draft pick, the return of Aussie guard Taren Armstrong following time in the US college system should have all hoops fans excited. New Zealand-born big man Sam Mennenga has enormous potential while team leader Tahjere McCall is hoping to return from injury a better player in NBL24. The Taipans should be aiming for a post-season berth.

Patrick Miller will bring experience to a young Taipans line-up. Picture: Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL

NBL Award Contenders

The NBL might need to rename the Next Generation Player again this year with a distinct orange flavour if the Taipans young guns show out. The likes of Armstrong, Mennenga and Klintman will be among that conversation if they can reproduce the glimpses of what we saw in the Blitz at a higher and more consistent level.

A fit Tahjere McCall and Bul Kuol will be among the defensive player of the year contenders again, while Sam Waardenburg will eye the most improved. If Armstrong starts, don’t be surprised to see Miller have a run at the Best Sixth Man gong.

Continued improvement from Sam Waardenburg could lift the Taipans. Picture: Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL

CODE Bet says

Title odds: $15 (via bet365)

The Taipans are another side that will be better than their odds suggest, although going 1-2 in the Blitz, they finished third last season at 18-10 and have recruited well.

Bringing in Bobi Klintman who dominated for Sweden in the FIBA Under 20 Euro tournament is huge for this side, not only getting much needed size at 6”10 but he showed off his great shooting touch in the Blitz.

Taran Armstrong is also a great addition: the Josh Giddey-like guard has size and the ability to make every pass. The Taipans success could rely on how quickly he can take his game to the next level.

The talent is there for this side, but the question is whether such a young side can back it up and play a full four quarter effort, after only winning five of the 12 quarters played on the Gold Coast last week.

Best Bet: Bobi Klintman to win the Next Gen Award

—Liam McAllion

SuperCoach

Owing to their mid-season trip to the US to take on NBA teams, SuperCoaches should select no more than one Taipan in their squad in round one. They play two games in round two, before missing the next two rounds. If you’re going to pick one, target the kids — Taran Armstrong (G), Sam Menenga (C), Akoldah Gak (F-C) or Lat Mayen (F) — all at the budget price of $69,000. Tahjere McCall (G-F, $371,800) might be overpriced, while returning wing Bul Kuol (F-G, $185,600) could be in for an expanded role, even if he is at a slightly awkward priced. Next Star Bobi Klintman (F, $115,000) is one to be red-hot on — if he can lock in a significant role with both McCall and Kuol in the lineup, the Swede’s size and ability make him a must-have pick.

Key Stats You Need To Know

Cairns ranked 1st for three-point field goal attempts per game (31.2) last season.

Cairns had a defensive rating of 103.5 last season, the best in the NBL

Tahjere McCall ranked 2nd amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.9) last season.

Originally published as NBL24: Cairns Taipans season preview, starting five analysis, predictions and more