"Stay humble": Forde's message to game-winner

Damon Lowery asked a question of Cairns import Josh Roberts in the mid-season break. The first-year pro had barely featured for the Taipans in NBL24, but he answered those questions with aplomb with his performance against Melbourne United.

Roberts was thrust into the starting lineup alongside Jonah Antionio, in a surprising tinkering of the pieces by head coach Adam Forde, but proved to be a catalyst for an important win over the ladder leaders.

The 24-year-old battled hard down low with former MVP candidate Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Next Star Ariel Hukporti and, despite giving up size, hit 10 of his 11 shots en route to a stat-line of 22 points, five rebounds and three blocks.

Roberts showed a flash of that type of ability in Cairns’ NBLxNBA defeat to Washington, where he registered a 10-point, 10 rebound double-double, and Forde says now it’s up to the former Manhattan Jasper to keep his feet on the ground ahead of Round 10.

“His attitude’s been fantastic. He’s always smiling, he’s always upbeat, he’s always celebrating his teammates,” Forde said post-game.

“When he registered a DNP in Perth, he was first up off the bench acknowledging his teammates for their effort and hustle and this is also why I like giving these types of opportunities.

“Knowing the personality of Josh, he capitalised on it and we’re going to keep going with that. The worst thing Josh can do is start reading [his] own hype.

“The good thing about the NBL is everyone’s got a podcast and there’s articles and suddenly people start sniffing their own farts and deciding they’re ‘that dude’. You’ve got to stay humble, you’ve got to keep that balance.”

Roberts starred in the win for the Taipans, alongside fellow imports Tahjere McCall and Patrick Miller.

Miller became the first player this season to register a double-double with points and assists across the competition, with his game-winning 32 points and 10 dimes.

The veteran guard has been finding his feet among a myriad of injuries of the Taipans this season, and has impressed since returning from a back injury in Round 8.

Miller and McCall both earned nominations for the Round 9 Chemist Warehouse Fans MVP off the back of their strong performances.

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“This is what’s great about Pat,” Forde reflected. “There were probably more shots I wanted him to take.

“At half time he’s got 21 and he’s telling me to run a particular play for a teammate, then we come out of a time-out and he wants to run something.

“There was a stretch in the fourth where he tried to make the pass to Josh on the roll when he was there at the rim. He’s so unselfish.

“He’s so unselfish. To have an import of his calibre who can do what he does and engage his teammates is pretty special and important to have. He was fantastic on multiple levels.”

The victory has kept the Taipans in touching distance of the top six, following their earlier defeat to local rivals Brisbane in Round 9.

They will next clash with the Sydney Kings on Thursday, December 7 to open Round 10.