NBL24: NBA hopeful to step up as four Taipans injured for NBL clash

Sam Mennenga is about to suit up for his first game of professional basketball in his home country, but the NBA Draft hopeful is all about business. FULL PREVIEW >>

Sam Mennenga is about to suit up for his first game of professional basketball in front of family and friends in his home country, but the NBA Draft hopeful is all about business as he prepares for his first NBL game as a Cairns Taipan.

The team travelled to Auckland on Thursday for Saturday afternoon’s NBL season-opening clash with the NZ Breakers at Spark Arena, as the injury-hit Taipans fire their first shot of the NBL24 summer.

And Mennenga is champing at the bit to get on the court.

Sam Mennenga in heavy traffic at the NBL Blitz. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL)

“I’ll have family at the game, but it’s a game to me, like every other game,” Mennenga said.

“It’s my first Cairns game so I’m excited about that, see how it goes. I’m not worried about where it is.”

Cairns’ new talent showed glimpses of what they’re capable of at the NBL Blitz, giving fans the chance to see just what exactly this team may look like in the NBL24 season.

The hope is that the Taipans can replicate, or better, their fairytale run to the semi-finals last season, and the Blitz gave the players and staff a chance to tinker and experiment with their line-up and combinations in the heat of battle.

For Mennenga, it proved that this squad has more than enough talent to compete with the heavily-resourced big boys of the NBL, but they have to put it all together on the court.

“We understand we have the potential to be great, and with that understanding we have to push harder,” Mennenga said.

“That’s the biggest takeaway. We have the talent, but we’re a young team.

“We need to approach it like pros and go every day to push each other.

“(The Blitz) was the first time we played together as a team so it was important to get those reps in, see where those weaknesses are at, play together and spend time together on the road, that’s really important.

Cairns Taipans import player Sam Mennenga shoots the ball at training. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We were humbled in that last game so we know we need to pick it up.”

Adam Forde’s third season in charge of Cairns is off to a less-than-ideal start with five players on injury watch.

Star Tahjere McCall, fellow import Josh Roberts and development player Kian Dennis are all out of the clash.

Point guard Taran Armstrong sat out the end of their last open practice session in Cairns due to a reported rib issue, but will miss the round one game due to a foot issue.

Bul Kuol is only a few full sessions back from a ­serious wrist injury but is back on the active roster for the Breakers clash.

Next Generation Player Sam Waardenburg and experienced import point guard Patrick Miller will absorb some of the extra pressure from their potential absences, but the likes of Mennenga and Next Star Bobi Klintman will need to fire in their first official outing for the Taipans.

When asked if he was ready to step up in the potential absence of key pieces, the confident Mennenga was forthright.

“Yes,” he said.

“I don’t want to get much into it. I’m excited for it, it’s been a long time in the making for it. I’m looking forward to it, and I’ll do my job to the best of my ability.”

Tip-off is at 5.30pm.

TAIPANS IN DOUBT FOR OPENER

Star Taipans import Tahjere McCall could miss the next month of action, including the NBL club’s first trip to North America, as the guard manages a problem hip injury.

He is one of four Taipans under the injury microscope ahead of the first round of the new season, with Taran Armstrong, Josh Roberts and Kian Dennis not participating in the whole session on Tuesday.

McCall was ruled out of the NBL Blitz with bruising on his hip, and while he didn’t suit up, he coached the Snakes in their first game against Perth.

He was also seen on crutches at the Gold Coast pre-season event, sparking concerns of a deeper issue.

Taipans coach Adam Forde delivered mixed news on Tuesday, as he revealed McCall was likely to miss the first few rounds of the NBL24 season.

Cairns Taipans import player Tahjere McCall sits out training ahead of the Taipans' first game of the NBL 2023/24 season against the New Zealand Breakers in Auckland. Picture: Brendan Radke

“The crutches were to de-load, take pressure off,” Forde said.

“He’s progressing along nicely but the reality is we won’t have him back for at least the first couple of rounds.

“It’s the same hip injury, a recurring thing we have to navigate.”

NBL SuperCoach cheapie Taran Armstrong sat out the last portion of practice with discomfort in his ribs after copping a knock at the Blitz.

It is unclear if the Tasmanian point guard will travel or suit up to face the Breakers at Spark Arena on Saturday.

Taran Armstrong impressed during the NBL Blitz. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL)

Former Manhattan College star Josh Roberts sat out with an ankle injury and will face another test on Wednesday to prove his fitness, but may be rested.

Development player Kian Dennis will be sidelined for a few weeks after he dislocated his shoulder on Monday.

The Taipans play three games across the opening two rounds, starting with a trip across the Tasman to face the Breakers on Saturday, and are locked in to face NBA duo Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors in the third week of October.

The loss of McCall, who this roster has been built around, would be big for the NBL’s most youthful team, as they become the latest NBL club to participate in the NBA pre-season series.

Forde wasn’t prepared to rule him out of suiting up in North America, but the 29-year-old will be managed closely over the next few weeks.

“He’s had it before so we’ll see what happens,” Forde said.

“We don’t want to make the call too early on anything.

“It would be disappointing, because this is something to look forward to, but it is too early to call.”

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Originally published as NBL24: NBA hopeful to step up as four Taipans injured for NBL clash