"They're the Real Deal": Hooley on Taipans' Rise

Pete ‘The Professor’ Hooley believes now is the time to take the Cairns Taipans seriously as a title contender, and has boldly stated “they’re the real deal” following their exciting eight-point away win against the Brisbane Bullets.

The Taipans have built their season so far off the back of an immense run of away form. They’ve won five of their six road games so far this season – their only away loss came against the Sydney Kings courtesy of a Kouat Noi game-winner.

After loitering around the bottom end of the ladder in recent seasons, they currently sit third thanks to their high-powered and exciting offence.

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“I can’t go past Cairns right now,” Hooley said on NBL Today. “The way they play on the road – I know they’ve had a couple of slip-ups at home – but that just impressive switch they manage to flick.

“There were two minutes and 50 seconds left in the third quarter. Tanner Krebs had just hit a three [for Brisbane] to get back momentum, Nissan Arena was pumping, the Bullets went up five. Every other coach in the league, the world, would have called a time-out.

“They (Cairns) said ‘let’s play faster’ and they rattled off 14 points in the next two minutes and they never looked back.

“It’s unbelievable the self-belief this team has, and all the credit should go to Adam Forde.”

The most impressive part of what the Taipans are putting together is the relative youth and inexperience their roster contains compared to the rest of the league.

First year professional Sam Waardenburg came back from injury against the Bullets and finished with 14 points as he continues to improve seemingly every week. Reigning NBL Rookie of the Year Bul Kuol dropped four of his five three-pointers on the night.

Even star import DJ Hogg is playing in just his fifth professional season.

Hooley says the youth of the side is what people are still counting against the Taipans.

“I don’t think enough people are [believing in them] yet,” he said. “I think they think they’re too young and they’ll run out of gas.

“The big thing – the juggling act now – is getting Tahjere McCall back on the team.

“I’m sure Adam Forde will integrate him properly but I think they’re the real deal, make no mistake.”