2021–22 Cairns Taipans season

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2021–22 Cairns Taipans season
Head coachAustralia Adam Forde
CaptainBrazil Scott Machado
ArenaCairns Convention Centre
NBL results
Record9–19 (32.1%)
Ladder9th
Finals finishDid not qualify
Stats at NBL.com.au
Player records
PointsUnited States McCall
16.1
ReboundsUnited States Zimmerman
9.6
AssistsUnited States McCall
5.6
All statistics correct as of 24 April 2022.

The 2021–22 NBL season was the 23rd season for the Cairns Taipans in the NBL, and their first under the leadership of their new head coach Adam Forde.

Squad[edit]

Signings[edit]

Main article: List of 2021–22 NBL season transactions
  • Imports Scott Machado and Cameron Oliver, and Next Star Mojave King had already signed two-season contracts the season prior.[1]
  • After their penultimate game of the 2020–21 season, the Taipans announced that head coach Mike Kelly would not be returning for the 2021–22 season.[2]
  • On 25 June, the team option on Jordan Ngatai's contract was taken up by the club. His original contract was a two year contract (with the second year being a team option), having only joined the Taipans at the start of the 2020–21 season.
  • On 26 June, Kouat Noi signed a new two-season contract with the club (the second year being a mutual option).[3] This extends his time in Cairns up to potentially four seasons, having joined the team before the 2019–20 season. Nathan Jawai and the club also took up their mutual option on the second year of his contract, extending his time in Cairns to seven seasons.[4]
  • On 27 June, the final day before free agency began, the Taipans took up the mutual option on the contract of Majok Deng.[5] They also abandoned the option on the contract of Mirko Đerić, instead signing him to a three-year deal (the final year being a mutual option).[6]
  • On 29 June, Adam Forde was announced as the club's new head coach, signing on a two-year deal.[7] Forde joined the club as an experienced coach in the NBL, having spent eight years as an assistant coach with the Perth Wildcats, followed by a two-year stint with the Sydney Kings, both as an assistant coach and as a head coach.
  • On 13 July, Deng re-signed for three seasons, overriding the mutual option that himself and the club had taken up weeks earlier.[8] The new extension will see Deng remain in Cairns until 2024.
  • On 14 July, King was transferred to the Adelaide 36ers.[9]
  • On 19 July, Keanu Pinder was signed as the club's first new player for the season.[10] He signed on a two-year deal (second-year mutual option).
  • On 24 July, Jarrod Kenny re-signed with the Taipans for the 2021–22 season.[11] This will be Kenny’s fourth season with the Taipans after he joined the club for the 2018–19 season.
  • On 5 August, Sam Gruggen was signed as an assistant coach on a two-year deal.[12] Gruggen joined the club after serving as an assistant coach for Forde during the 2020–21 season, as well as serving time with the Townsville Crocodiles.
  • On 6 August, Tahjere McCall signed with the Taipans on a one-year deal.[13] McCall joined the Taipans after serving as an injury replacement player with Orléans Loiret Basket and winning the NBA G League championship with the Lakeland Magic.[14][15][16] During his time with the Magic, McCall was voted into the G League's All-Defensive Team.[17]
  • 13 August, Bul Kuol was signed on a two-year deal and filled the final place on the roster.[18] Kuol played College basketball with the California Baptist Lancers and Detroit Mercy Titans before returning to Australia, where he averaged 18.2 points and 4.8 rebounds with the Knox Raiders of the NBL1 South.[19]
  • On 18 August, Kerry Williams was signed as the second assistant coach.[20] Williams spent the season prior as the head coach of the Cairns Marlins of the NBL1 North, and before that also spent multiple seasons with the Cairns Dolphins of the Queensland Basketball League. Williams also spent five seasons with the Taipans as a player before transitioning into a front office role with the club.
  • On 16 September, the Taipans announced that import Cameron Oliver had been released from the final year of his contract after signing an Exhibit 10 contract with a California based National Basketball Association team, later revealed to be the Los Angeles Lakers.[21][22]
  • On 17 September, Stephen Zimmerman was signed as Oliver's replacement on a one-year deal.[23] Zimmerman signed with the club after winning the Czech National Basketball League with Basketball Nymburk, where he averaged 8.9 points and 7.9 rebounds across 17 minutes per game.[24]
  • On 7 October, Brayden Inger was signed by the Taipans as a development player.[25] He joined the club after competing in the NZNBL with the Southland Sharks.
  • On 30 December, Marshall Nelson was signed as an Injury Replacement Player for Machado.[26]

Roster[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

2021–22 Cairns Taipans roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
G 3 Brazil Machado, Scott Injured (I & C) 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 82 kg (181 lb) 33 – (1990-06-08)8 June 1990
G 5 Australia Đerić, Mirko 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 82 kg (181 lb) 29 – (1995-04-17)17 April 1995
G 6 New Zealand Kenny, Jarrod 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 87 kg (192 lb) 38 – (1985-09-17)17 September 1985
F 9 New Zealand Inger, Brayden (DP) 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 25 – (1999-03-18)18 March 1999
G 10 Australia Ayre, Ben 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 82 kg (181 lb) 28 – (1995-12-08)8 December 1995
F 11 New Zealand Ngatai, Jordan 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 98 kg (216 lb) 31 – (1993-03-07)7 March 1993
F 12 Australia Noi, Kouat 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 93 kg (205 lb) 26 – (1997-10-29)29 October 1997
F 13 South Sudan Deng, Majok 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 31 – (1993-03-01)1 March 1993
C 15 Australia Jawai, Nathan 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) 140 kg (309 lb) 37 – (1986-10-10)10 October 1986
G 22 United States McCall, Tahjere (I) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 86 kg (190 lb) 29 – (1994-08-17)17 August 1994
F 25 Australia Pinder, Keanu 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 100 kg (220 lb) 28 – (1995-05-28)28 May 1995
C 33 United States Zimmerman, Stephen (I) 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) 109 kg (240 lb) 27 – (1996-10-09)9 October 1996
F 42 South Sudan Kuol, Bul 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 93 kg (205 lb) 27 – (1997-01-10)10 January 1997
G 44 Australia Nelson, Marshall 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 85 kg (187 lb) 30 – (1994-01-31)31 January 1994
G 45 Australia Heath, Robbie (TP) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 82 kg (181 lb) 25 – (1998-11-27)27 November 1998
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Australia Sam Gruggen
  • Australia Kerry Williams
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (I) Import player
  • (SRP) Special restricted player
  • (NS) Next Star player
  • Injured Injured
Updated: 2 April 2022

Depth chart[edit]

Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2 Development
C Stephen Zimmerman Nathan Jawai
PF Majok Deng Keanu Pinder
SF Kouat Noi Jordan Ngatai Bul Kuol Brayden Inger
SG Tahjere McCall Mirko Djeric
PG Scott Machado Jarrod Kenny Robbie Heath

Pre-season[edit]

Main article: 2021 NBL pre-season

Ladder[edit]

2021–22 NBL pre-season ladder
Ladder Information
Pos. Nat. Name Pld. W. L. Last 5 Streak Home Away For Against Pts % Win %
1 Australia Illawarra 2 2 0 2–0 W2 0–0 2–0 213 202 105.45% 100.00%
2 Australia Adelaide 5 5 0 5–0 W5 2–0 3–0 401 383 104.70% 100.00%
3 Australia Brisbane 4 3 1 3–1 L1 1–1 2–0 350 327 107.03% 75.00%
4 New Zealand New Zealand 3 2 1 2–1 W2 2–0 0–1 273 273 100.00% 66.67%
5 Australia S.E. Melbourne 4 2 2 2–2 W1 1–0 1–2 376 375 100.27% 50.00%
6 Australia Perth 5 2 3 2–3 L1 2–1 0–2 433 415 104.34% 40.00%
7 Australia Tasmania (NT) 5 2 3 2–3 W1 1–1 1–2 391 403 97.02% 40.00%
8 Australia Sydney 3 1 2 1–2 L1 1–1 0–1 248 253 98.02% 33.33%
9 Australia Melbourne (RC) 4 1 3 1–3 L3 1–1 0–2 342 350 97.71% 25.00%
10 Australia Cairns 5 0 5 0–5 L5 0–3 0–2 394 447 88.14% 0.00%

Total Rounds
2 weeks

Total Games
21 games

Legend
  • (NT) New Team
  • (RC) Reigning Champion
  • Updated: 28 November 2021

Game log[edit]

2021 NBL Blitz game log
Total: 0–5 (Home: 0–3; Road: 0–2)
November: 0–5 (Home: 0–3; Road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 14 November Adelaide L 87–91 (OT) Deng, Zimmerman (18) Stephen Zimmerman (11) Scott Machado (5) MyState Bank Arena
not available 		0–1
2 16 November Tasmania L 66–81 Stephen Zimmerman (16) Stephen Zimmerman (11) Scott Machado (9) MyState Bank Arena
not available 		0–2
3 21 November @ Perth L 96–87 Nate Jawai (21) Tahjere McCall (13) Tahjere McCall (6) Ulverstone Sports & Leisure Centre
not available 		0–3
4 24 November Brisbane L 86–94 Tahjere McCall (17) Keanu Pinder (10) Noi, Machado (5) Ulverstone Sports & Leisure Centre
not available 		0–4
5 26 November @ Tasmania L 83–68 Kouat Noi (12) Stephen Zimmerman (8) Tahjere McCall (5) Elphin Sports Centre
not available 		0–5

Regular season[edit]

Main article: 2021–22 NBL regular season

Ladder[edit]

Pos 2021–22 NBL season
Team Pld W L PCT Last 5 Streak Home Away PF PA PP
1 Melbourne United 28 20 8 71.43% 4–1 L1 9–5 11–3 2455 2244 109.40%
2 Illawarra Hawks 28 19 9 67.86% 4–1 W2 8–6 11–3 2498 2345 106.52%
3 Sydney Kings 28 19 9 67.86% 3–2 L1 9–5 10–4 2397 2313 103.63%
4 Tasmania JackJumpers 28 17 11 60.71% 4–1 W4 8–6 9–5 2230 2220 100.45%
5 Perth Wildcats 28 16 12 57.14% 2–3 L2 7–7 9–5 2495 2377 104.96%
6 S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 28 15 13 53.57% 3–2 W2 7–7 8–6 2456 2424 101.32%
7 Adelaide 36ers 28 10 18 35.71% 3–2 W1 6–8 4–10 2283 2346 97.31%
8 Brisbane Bullets 28 10 18 35.71% 2–3 L2 6–8 4–10 2379 2500 95.16%
9 Cairns Taipans 28 9 19 32.14% 1–4 W1 5–9 4–10 2228 2408 92.52%
10 New Zealand Breakers 28 5 23 17.86% 0–5 L10 2–12 3–11 2234 2478 90.15%

Updated to match(es) played on 24 April 2022. Source: NBL.com.au

Ladder progression[edit]

  • Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top four.
  • Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
  • Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished last place on the ladder in that round.
2021–22 NBL season
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Adelaide 36ers 8 6 8 8 8 8 7 8 8 8 8 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 8 7
Brisbane Bullets 7 5 7 6 6 7 6 5 7 9 7 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 8
Cairns Taipans 9 7 4 4 5 5 5 6 9 7 9 10 9 9 10 9 9 8 8 9 9
Illawarra Hawks 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 4 5 4 4 5 4 4 3 3 3 2
Melbourne United 6 9 6 5 4 4 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
New Zealand Breakers 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 10 10
Perth Wildcats 2 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 1 2 3 3 3 2 2 3 4 4 4 5
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 1 1 2 2 2 2 4 3 1 2 3 2 2 2 4 5 5 6 6 6 6
Sydney Kings 5 4 5 7 7 6 8 7 5 6 5 4 5 5 3 3 2 2 2 2 3
Tasmania JackJumpers 4 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 6 4 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 4

Game log[edit]

2021–22 game log
Total: 9–19 (Home: 5–9; Road: 4–10)
December: 2–2 (Home: 2–1; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 5 December @ Perth L 90–67 Kouat Noi (17) Stephen Zimmerman (14) Scott Machado (6) RAC Arena, Perth
10,800 		0–1
2 11 December Tasmania W 69–62 Tahjere McCall (20) Stephen Zimmerman (12) Tahjere McCall (5) Cairns Convention Centre
4,015 		1–1
3 18 December Adelaide W 93–67 Majok Deng (23) Stephen Zimmerman (9) Tahjere McCall (10) Cairns Convention Centre
3,314 		2–1
4 31 December Perth L 78–84 Majok Deng (27) Stephen Zimmerman (9) Kenny, Kuol, Noi (4) Cairns Convention Centre
4,339 		2–2
January: 0–2 (Home: 0–1; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
5 25 January @ S.E. Melbourne L 87–77 Tahjere McCall (16) Stephen Zimmerman (8) Tahjere McCall (9) Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
2,634 		2–3
6 29 January Illawarra L 75–94 Tahjere McCall (19) Keanu Pinder (12) Tahjere McCall (6) Cairns Convention Centre
3,095 		2–4
February: 2–5 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
7 5 February @ Brisbane W 94–102 Deng, Kuol (26) Stephen Zimmerman (14) Tahjere McCall (6) Nissan Arena
2,695 		3–4
8 12 February @ Illawarra L 87–81 Tahjere McCall (17) Keanu Pinder (9) Tahjere McCall (4) WIN Entertainment Centre
2,652 		3–5
9 14 February New Zealand L 83–84 Majok Deng (21) Stephen Zimmerman (11) Tahjere McCall (6) Cairns Convention Centre
2,795 		3–6
10 18 February @ Illawarra L 79–54 Majok Deng (11) Stephen Zimmerman (8) Tahjere McCall (3) WIN Entertainment Centre
2,275 		3–7
11 20 February @ Adelaide L 82–71 Stephen Zimmerman (21) Stephen Zimmerman (13) Tahjere McCall (5) Adelaide Entertainment Centre
5,068 		3–8
12 24 February Brisbane W 73–69 Scott Machado (17) Stephen Zimmerman (12) Scott Machado (7) Cairns Convention Centre
2,853 		4–8
13 27 February Melbourne L 73–89 Tahjere McCall (16) Keanu Pinder (9) Tahjere McCall (7) Cairns Convention Centre
3,272 		4–9
March: 2–5 (Home: 0–3; Road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
14 6 March @ Sydney L 98–88 Scott Machado (26) Stephen Zimmerman (14) Scott Machado (8) Qudos Bank Arena
9,112 		4–10
15 11 March Tasmania L 69–85 Stephen Zimmerman (19) Stephen Zimmerman (8) Kenny, Machado (5) Cairns Convention Centre
3,300 		4–11
16 13 March Sydney L 77–86 Tahjere McCall (21) Majok Deng (8) Tahjere McCall (7) Cairns Convention Centre
3,629 		4–12
17 18 March @ Adelaide L 83–57 Keanu Pinder (15) Keanu Pinder (14) Scott Machado (6) Adelaide Entertainment Centre
3,596 		4–13
18 20 March @ Brisbane W 88–98 Tahjere McCall (21) Keanu Pinder (9) Scott Machado (11) Nissan Arena
2,409 		5–13
19 25 March S.E. Melbourne L 74–86 Tahjere McCall (14) McCall, Pinder (9) McCall, Machado (5) Cairns Convention Centre
3,044 		5–14
20 27 March @ New Zealand W 90–93 Kouat Noi (19) Deng, Noi (6) Scott Machado (6) Cairns Convention Centre
closed event 		6–14
April: 3–5 (Home: 2–2; Road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
21 2 April S.E. Melbourne W 90–85 Keanu Pinder (21) Keanu Pinder (13) Scott Machado (11) Cairns Convention Centre
3,206 		7–14
22 4 April @ New Zealand W 77–87 Keanu Pinder (21) Kouat Noi (14) Scott Machado (6) MyState Bank Arena
closed event 		8–14
23 8 April @ Tasmania L 87–80 Nathan Jawai (17) Keanu Pinder (9) Scott Machado (6) MyState Bank Arena
4,738 		8–15
24 10 April Melbourne L 63–92 Keanu Pinder (15) Keanu Pinder (12) Ben Ayre (5) Cairns Convention Centre
3,418 		8–16
25 16 April @ Perth L 106–87 Keanu Pinder (24) Keanu Pinder (8) Tahjere McCall (11) RAC Arena
10,314 		8–17
26 18 April @ Melbourne L 92–80 Ben Ayre (20) Keanu Pinder (9) Ben Ayre (10) John Cain Arena
6,042 		8–18
27 21 April Sydney L 77–87 Tahjere McCall (22) Keanu Pinder (14) Tahjere McCall (4) Cairns Convention Centre
3,150 		8–19
28 23 April Brisbane W 112–98 Tahjere McCall (42) Keanu Pinder (7) Tahjere McCall (10) Cairns Convention Centre
3,552 		9–19
2021–22 season schedule

Awards[edit]

Club awards[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "NBL22 Free Agency Primer | NBL". NBL.com.au. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  2. ^ Bowles, Annabel (1 June 2021). "Mike Kelly's reign over Cairns Taipans comes to an end | Tropic Now - Cairns News". www.tropicnow.com.au. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  3. ^ "The sssssilent star". www.twitter.com. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Another one..." www.twitter.com. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  5. ^ "MAJOK IS A LOCK". www.twitter.com. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  6. ^ "The Serbian Sniper is heading back to the Snakes". www.twitter.com. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  7. ^ McInerney, Matthew (29 June 2021). "Cairns Taipans sign Adam Forde as new NBL coach". www.couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  8. ^ "DENG FOR THREE!". Twitter.com. 13 July 2021. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Mojave King Moves to Adelaide 36ers for NBL22 | NBL". NBL.com.au. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Taipans Sign Keanu Pinder | NBL". NBL.com.au. 19 July 2021. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  11. ^ "Kenny returns for his fourth season". Taipans.com. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Taipans welcome Sam Gruggen". www.Taipans.com. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Taipans Sign NBA G-League Champion, Tahjere McCall". NBL.com.au. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  14. ^ "NBA G League 2020-21 Draft Results". NBA G League. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  15. ^ Carchia, Emiliano (29 March 2021). "Tahjere McCall joins Orleans". Sportando. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Defense, Ball Movement, and Steak Dinner: The Lakeland Magic Are NBA G League Champions". NBA G League. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  17. ^ "2020-21 All-NBA G League, All-Defensive and All-Rookie Teams". NBA G League. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Cairns complete roster with Kuol". www.Taipans.com. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Bul Kuol, Basketball Player". Proballers. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  20. ^ McInerney, Matthew (18 August 2021). "Cairns basketball stalwart Williams locked in as Taipans assistant". CairnsPost.com.au. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  21. ^ "Cam Oliver Released by Taipans to Chase NBA Opportunities | NBL". NBL.com.au. 16 September 2021. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  22. ^ @Lakers (29 September 2021). "The Lakers have signed Cameron Oliver to an Exhibit-10 training camp contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ^ "Taipans sign Stephen Zimmerman". www.Taipans.com. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Stephen Zimmerman, Basketball Player". Proballers. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  25. ^ "Taipans sign DP: Brayden Inger". www.Taipans.com. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  26. ^ "Taipans Sign Marshall Nelson as Injury Replacement". National Basketball League | NBL. 30 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.

External links[edit]

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