Machado dealing with attention, focused on turnaround

Scott Machado always knew he'd attract increased attention from the opposition coming into his second NBL season, but the CQUniversity Cairns Taipans superstar point guard is just focused on doing anything to help the Snakes get back to winning.

Machado had such a standout first season in the NBL with the Taipans that not only did he end up runner-up in league MVP voting and be named point guard in the All-First Team, but he was a huge part in the Snakes getting to within one game of a Grand Final.

Along the way, Machado set a new NBL record in the 40-minute era with 219 assists at 7.8 per game and along with his scoring of 16.1 points and all-round leadership and presence, it was one of the best seasons ever by a Taipans player.

He was always going to be a focus for the opposition teams to try and limit his influence upon his return now for the 2021 NBL season, and that has certainly been the case but Machado has been able to fight through it well.

Across the opening six games of the season that has included Machado having to deal with defenders like Justin Simon and Mitch McCarron locking down on him while the opponents have made it a focus to lock him down and also shut down his path to setting up Cam Oliver inside.

Machado has fought through it all to still be playing a strong second season with the Snakes over the first six games averaging 16.3 points, 8.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds a game – all up on a season ago.

But what matters to him most is that the Taipans are 1-5 after losing five straight heading into the two home games in Round 4 against the New Zealand Breakers, and he is focused on getting the Snakes back to winning.

"I'm just getting back into my ways. I'm waiting until we all gel perfectly and as a team, and as long as we continue to move forward then my game is going to get to exactly where it needs to be," Machado said.

"Every game has been different so far. Some teams are trying to get the ball out of my hands, some are trying to make me score more than I need to, and it's just been different. My reads have to be a little bit quicker throughout the game and I'm working on that. It'll get better."

Looking back on the Round 3 losses to the Hawks at home and Bullets on the road, the former was a game to write off but then in Brisbane there were so many encouraging signs for the Taipans, especially in the first half.

Even in the second half and in overtime they showed impressive fight before losing on the last possession. That was a loss that has stung the Snakes this week but Machado and his teammates are now working on what's needed to turn things around.

"It's still something that hurts that we let that one get away, but as a team we're building off it," he said.

"We're understanding the details it takes to win a game and we know that every game we come into isn't going to be an easy one, and we're grinding right now. We're trying to get ourselves out of the mud, that's what we're doing.

"We're just focusing on those situations and making sure that we sharpen those up. We're sharpening up our offence and our defence, and we know we need to stay consistent throughout the game. Just as good as we start it, we have to end it."

Even though five of the first six games for the Taipans so far this season have been at home, it's still been hectic having six matches over the three rounds.

Those quick turnarounds have made it hard to fix things from game to game but that's where Machado is glad to have now had a full week from Saturday's loss in Brisbane to now playing the Breakers back at the Cairns Pop-Up Arena on Saturday night.

"If there are any issues in the quick turnarounds it's not being able to fix what we did last game, and going over what we had messed up," Machado said. 

"Usually when you mess up you get to go over it and see what's happening, but we've had to move on to the next team instead and learn the next concepts. So we haven’t had that chance but this week has given us that chance where we can actually iron out all of our wrinkles. We needed that.

"It hasn’t been an easy start and it's not going to be an easy season, but we do know we need to continue to fight through everything. Even here at practice with another, we just need to make sure we keep holding each other accountable and stay consistent. We just have to move forward so we overcome all of this."

Initially the Snakes were playing the Bullets in a rematch this Saturday, but COVID-19 changes across the country meant it's now the Breakers playing on Saturday and Monday night against the Taipans at the pop-up in Round 4.

Those last minute changes can be a challenge but Machado knows it's something that just has to be dealt with given what's happening in the world right now.

"It's tough with things changing and especially people that are planners who like to have everything planned out to know you make sure you know what we're going up against it's difficult," Machado said.

"But we're in a difficult situation and we're just trying to make the most of it, and making sure we come out of it positive and moving forward. That's the biggest thing for us, moving forward."