Why the Taipans shouldn’t panic after Round 1

Despite their tough Round 1 result on the road against South East Melbourne, NBL champion Mark Worthington ‘isn’t panicking’ about the Cairns Taipans’ Hungry Jack’s NBL26 outlook.

In fact, he’s a huge fan of what Adam Forde and his Snakes are building in far north Queensland and explained as much during Friday’s NBL Now episode.

“They [Cairns] don’t need to panic, [as] they didn’t have Sam Waardenburg, they didn’t have an import point guard (with Andrew Andrews arriving this week), which the Phoenix took advantage of in Round 1,” Worthington said on NBL Now.

“I think they are a finals-bound team this year, once it all clicks.

“That might be an unpopular pick, with how much talent is in the league but I love 'Fordey' as a coach and feel he gets the absolute most out of his players.

“Like any sport, you shouldn't take too much out of Round 1, as anything can happen.

“They’re now back in Cairns, on their home court and [in front of] that fanbase that has been crying out for some success for a couple of years.

“They’ve bought in [some top-level talent], they spent money - I’m all chips in with Cairns.”

Alongside marquee man Jack McVeigh, the Taipans have recruited the likes of NBA-experienced Admiral Schofield and rising Boomer Reyne Smith.

They'll be desperate to bounce back against cross-state rivals Brisbane on Friday night.

The Queensland clash tips off at 7.30pm AEST, live on ESPN.