“A terrifying team”: Taipans fire NBL warning

With back-to-back Championship Series appearances with two different teams, Marcus Lee knows what it takes to win. His 61 per cent winning record across 85 NBL games speaks for itself.

Now with his third NBL club, the Cairns Taipans, the 30-year-old is focused on bringing that championship mindset to Far North Queensland.

Lee says the Taipans’ highly talented roster is “all-in” on chasing a title.

"I think this is gonna be a team that, when you see us in true form, people are really gonna see: that's a terrifying team to go against," Lee told ESPN’s Olgun Uluc.

"I think that's what we're trying to do here. We're contenders, we're here, and you're going to have to fear us when you walk into our arena."

The Taipans may have dropped both games at the CODE Sports NBL Blitz, but there were plenty of positives — from Jack McVeigh’s clutch shot to force overtime, to Admiral Schofield’s physical presence inside, and Kody Stattmann’s rise. 

With key contributors Reyne Smith and Ashton Hagans yet to hit the floor, Lee believes the team’s upside under coach Adam Forde is enormous.

"I like the way we're going," Lee told ESPN.

"We're trying to figure each other out right now. That's kind of the fun part of pre-season, you really get to learn what guys can do, what they prefer. I think that's the fun thing."

The Taipans open their Hungry Jack’s NBL Season campaign against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on September 20.

Read the full story here >> NBL Blitz Buzz: Biggest talking points coming out of Canberra