Forde backs Taipans’ bold build

Five months ago it seemed the Cairns Taipans’ most significant off-season change would be at head coach, until Adam Forde saw what the club was building behind the scenes.

“Seeing the all-in mindset was a massive determining factor … I wanted to be part of that,” Forde said about recommitting to the club for NBL26.

The Taipans adopted a patient but deliberate approach to building their roster in recent months, with CEO Mark Beecroft and President Troy Stone stressing this vision to Forde to secure his trust.

“It’s very lucky from a coaching standpoint that … we can have an up-and-down season last year and then for me to be presented with an opportunity to come back with some upgrades,” Forde said.

“I don’t think too many coaches can get that opportunity … obviously I’m fully aware of the burden and expectation now that comes from my side to make sure we get the performance and the wins on the court.”

With the roster finalised and boosted by Olympian and Larry Sengstock Medallist Jack McVeigh alongside NBA veteran Admiral Schofield, Forde knows the real work begins now.

“It’s a day-to-day process. You stack days. You don’t try and win a Championship in August; it’s about laying the foundation,” he said.

“It’s a matter of just getting everyone on the floor and getting everybody on the same page.”

With players continuing to arrive, the Taipans will travel to Melbourne next week to start their pre-season schedule.

“The big thing is now sort of seeing who fits into the rotation,” Forde said.

“We’re still not going to be a team that’s going to rotate 12 guys into the first quarter. Now we are in a position where we’ve got guys really trying to fight for purposeful minutes.

“So next week provides the seven, eight guys not in the starting five to really make a claim for where they sit in the pecking order.”