Hoops

Taipans sign DJ Newbill

Oliver out then cairns, but reports say newbill to hawks

Any news on where he's landing for next season?

(I heard a bizarre rumour, which got me wondering where he was ACTUALLY going.)

I suppose its hard for Cairns (and others) with the cut back to 2 imports, but I still think it would be great to see him return to Cairns.

Every one writes Perth off every season, they’ll be fine. Melbourne are injury to Barlow or Goulding away from being back to the field. Sydney are a lot deeper this season but like Melbourne injuries to Bogut or Ware will see them back in the field. Illawarra will be the surprise if they can settle down and play team first, I’d be more confident with Bevo coaching though.

What's the over/under win total for the Snakes this year? 5?

Perth behind Melbourne and Sydney lol.

Last season's Cairns roster was the worst in modern NBL history, now this season they get even worse! I feel bad for Kelly.

I don't understand how Cairns has an NRL team as I thought AFL played more games in a Cairns than the Cowboys do but I'm happy to be corrected on that.

If it became a team that Townsville could call their own too then sponsors would jump on board? That's bullshit, if they thought that basketball was worth advertising their brand through then they would do it and evidently they aren't.

I love the Suns/Crocs but they chose not to support their team, Cairns DO support their team so leave them where they are to keep fighting well above their weight.

I'm not going to say that they will struggle but they need their shot to drop and they need to find a way to get to the foul line a lot this season.

I'm really excited to see Djeric, is he any chance to win Most improved player or does he have to be in the league the season before?

The Taipans are Cairns only national sporting team, and are well supported by the locals. Joining Townsville would weaken the base of Supporters and Sponsors. and would not last a year.
The team is a mix of some experienced players, some talented imports and a few young players that look to have a upside with some game time and good coaching.
Kelly should give them that, and hopefully jell the mix into a competitive team.
I am happy to wait and see, but i expect that they will do ok.

It's a "nice" idea, but doesn't really work and wouldn't really help.
Firstly, to simply not LOSE money, TSVL crowds need to be as big as Cairns.
Then you have to somehow grow the crowds. Few people are going to be able to travel to games in the other City. You'd get some growth from casual fans, ie those who might only attend half a dozen games anyway, but overall I think the Logistical Nightmare outweighs any benefits.

As for the roster,
Have to wait and see how good these new imports are, but so far not impressed. Had to give Kelly the benefit of the doubt last season, but this time they need to show they can be competitive.

Cairns should absorb the old Townsville crocs license, split the ownership and become the northern Taipans playing out if both cairns and Townsville.
They might then become competitive.

Terrible, just a team making up the numbers with no real goal at winning a championship.

I’m not convinced this side will beat anyone, the bench is awful, Deng didn’t even play big minutes for Sixers. Hopefully Noi is as good as he says he is or the starters even have holes in the line up.

I like Newbill, just a solid if mostly unspectacular player. A lot riding on Machado and Oliver (and either Noi/Deng) as far as ceiling goes, but this should be a much better team than last season.