Forde hails McVeigh in clutch moment

Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde has praised Jack McVeigh’s leadership after the club’s impressive 100-92 victory over Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena on Sunday.

While McVeigh delivered a historic performance with 36 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks, Forde said it was the forward's composure and decision-making during Perth’s final-quarter fightback that impressed him most.

With the Wildcats trimming the margin to five points late in the fourth quarter, McVeigh gathered his teammates together on court without instruction from the coaching staff and helped orchestrate a momentum-shifting response.

“When Perth started to make their run, they huddled up on the court. I didn't call a timeout,” Forde said.

“They huddled up and then they came down and run that little swing shot action, which Jonah (Bolden) got the ball and made that bounce pass to Malique (Lewis) for the uncontested dunk and that was Jack's call to make that play.

“There are just layers to Jack, that he just keeps evolving, and we're fortunate to have him.”

The Taipans led from quarter time onward but had to withstand several Wildcats surges to secure the eight-point victory.

Forde praised his group's resilience when Perth threatened to seize momentum at several stages throughout the second half.

“There were a couple of times where Keanu (Pinder) got baited into some fouls, and he's been more disciplined with that. A few sloppy turnovers. There was a stretch where when we had Jack sitting out, no one really wanted to shoot it,” Forde said.

“But it was good that the boys were able to answer it.”

BRUCE DELIVERS BIG TIME

Forde also lauded veteran point guard Shaun Bruce, who showed steady influence helped the Taipans maintain control down the stretch.

Bruce finished with 14 points in one of his most influential performances of the season, knocking down three three-pointers and providing valuable leadership alongside Next Star Luke Paul.

Forde said the championship-winning veteran continues to provide enormous value both on and off the floor.

“You got 19 years of experience with Brucey, and Luke's been great. To see how Brucey can get it done, and he's such a high-level thinker,” Forde said.

“Even how well he's been coached in the past with the situations and teams he's been in. He takes a little bit from that and his journey.

“So, there's 19 years of some really good knowledge, and his body's great.

“We knew we were going to have a young man playing some high-volume minutes at the point guard, but we needed days too when we need Brucey.

“He wasn't just going to be a towel waver, he was contributing and today's an example of him contributing.”

MALIQUE’S BLOCK PARTY

Lewis produced one of the finest defensive performances of his career with six blocks, while also contributing nine points and five rebounds.

The versatile import forward spent time defending multiple positions and was instrumental in several key moments throughout the contest.

“We've had a lot of guys like Malique come through the program like Bul (Kuol), like Taj (McCall) and they've always been versatile,” Forde said.

“It's really good when you can have Malique defend the guard and then we can defend Doolittle, and then we got him defending Froling the other night. I love him.

“He goes about his business, and he's such a pleasure to coach.”

THREE BALL IN FASHION

Cairns connected on 20 three-pointers, the second time the Taipans have achieved that feat this season, and Forde said the team remains committed to its high-tempo offensive style, regardless of whether shots are falling.

“If we're going to be guilty of anything, sometimes we're guilty of just overpassing,” Forde said. “Sometimes one simple action is enough to generate rotations in the  defense. I was happy with the pace because we can't play it any other way.

“We have to be a team that shoots three-pointers and if we play our way and we go six of 44, I don't care.

“We need to play our way. Factors play into a lot of things that we can and can't control, and that's the purpose behind it.”

The Taipans will get to continue their aggressive play style when Cairns host reigning NBL champions Sydney Kings next Friday night at Cairns Convention Centre.

Make sure to secure your spot, get your tickets HERE.