Lopez Takes Lessons From Head Coaching Debut as Taipans Eye Strong Finish

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans are back in the Far North for an enticing home double-header this weekend, hosting the Tasmania JackJumpers on Friday night before returning to the floor on Sunday afternoon against the Sydney Kings.

Friday’s clash doubles as Pride Round, while Sunday’s fixture brings the club’s infamous Blackout Game with the Taipans suiting up in blackout jerseys in partnership with IFYS.

Cairns will be without Reyne Smith this weekend, though the sharpshooter is tracking towards a return before season’s end.

Tasmania will also arrive shorthanded, with big man Will Magnay and import guard Bryce Hamilton both sidelined with season-ending injuries, but the JackJumpers remain anchored in their trademark physical approach.

Despite injuries and the grind of the back end of the campaign, lead assistant coach Will Lopez said there will be no easing off from the playing group.

“We don’t have any veterans who are winding down their careers, we have motivated guys who see beyond these games and the next few years,” Lopez said.

“These are guys who want to get better everyday. They want to push for more, win games and progress their careers.

“We’ve got a group that aren’t taking any backwards steps or phoning it in for the rest of the year. They want to work, they want to get better, they want to set themselves up. No game is taken for granted wherever you sit on the ladder.”

That mentality was reinforced when Sam Waardenburg returned and immediately made a difference with his energy, presence and impact at both ends, only for the big man to suffer another injury setback.

“It was a little bit of a teaser wasn’t it,” Lopez said.

“We’d been waiting so long for Sam to return, once we got him back we saw how great he was. He reminded the whole league what a special player he is.

“For him to go down again was disappointing. You’ve got a guy flying around trying to rebound and block shots and he rolls an ankle because he’s just trying so hard to help the team. We miss that. It was deflating and it probably showed in the second half against the Bullets.”

Lopez said the club’s mindset remains opportunity driven, with minutes and roles now available for players ready to seize.

“The way this organisation has been since I’ve been here is now there is an opportunity for someone,” he said.

“There’s countless stories over the years, where you can turn yourself into a career-long NBL player off the back of a six to eight game stretch. There’s a fair bit of motivation from the group to go out and perform.”

Cairns’ second-half fadeouts have also been a recurring frustration, but Lopez believes the solution will come through relentless review and continued connection within the roster. 

“It is frustrating. Having been with Fordey for five years. There’s no stone left unturned,” he said.

“Let's dive deeper and find answers. Watch more video, look at more analytics, lineups, what’s working, what changes, let’s do everything we can.

“There’s a little bit of inconsistency between lineups and players. Part of that is a group learning to come together, rather than some groups who have kept core players for multiple years which is a big advantage in this league.”

Veteran playmaker Kyle Adnam echoed that standard, urging the Taipans to carry themselves like professionals through the closing weeks.

“Continue to stay together, it’s about being a professional, we still have games to win and perform in,” Adnam said.

“Fans coming out and season ticket members continue to spark the club, constantly showing up every week and giving a 100 per cent. We are professionals and we have a job to do.”

Lopez also arrives this weekend with fresh perspective after an unexpected head coaching baptism against the New Zealand Breakers.  

Head coach Adam Forde was ejected in the second quarter after receiving two technical fouls, leaving Lopez to steer the side for the remainder of the contest in his first stint as a head coach.

“Selfishly and personally, it was a really cool moment,” Lopez said.

“Disappointing we couldn’t win, feeling that level of disappointment as a head coach was great to feel too, I can sympathise a little bit more with Fordey now.

“Thankful for the club and Forde who trust me, I’ve been with him a long time now. He does a great job with helping us assistant coaches and there’s countless guys throughout the league who have been part of his tutorage.

“He has shared everything he has for me and helped me try to prepare to be a head coach one day. I’m thankful for that.”

Now, Lopez says he’ll take the lessons and the tape into his ongoing development.

“The opportunity against New Zealand gave me a taste,” he said.

“I hope one day I can be standing at the front with my own team. I’ve now got two and a half quarters. I can review myself, watch what Petteri Koponen was doing and the counters he made. It’s only going to make me better as a coach to get those reps.”

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans return to the Far North for their home fixture against the Tasmania JackJumpers on Friday, January 30. Grab your tickets HERE.