Adam Forde’s warning for Joshua Roberts after Taipans import’s best performance
It is the type of performance which allowed Joshua Roberts to silence his critics, but the Taipans import has been warned he has to deliver at that high level if he is to maintain his minutes.
It is the type of performance which allowed Joshua Roberts to silence his critics, but the Taipans import has been warned he has to deliver at that high level when the Kings come to town if he is to maintain his minutes.
Roberts has been the centre of criticism through the Taipans’ 5-7 start to their season, with the club’s third import generally restricted to just six minutes per game in his first season in the NBL.
His status as the club’s third import has made some question whether or not he should be there at all, but the former Manhattan Jasper silenced the naysayers on Sunday with a 22-point outing in his first start for the Snakes.
The 24-year-old has been up and about, as usual, since Sunday’s shock but hugely important win against Melbourne United, which ended a three-game slide, but coach Adam Forde has warned the import wing that he has to keep bringing it or he could end up back at the end of the bench.
“He’s always been up and about,” Forde said. “We always knew the type of character we had coming in.
“What’s important for him to understand, like everybody else, that what you did last game doesn't determine what you do in the next game.
“The best thing with Josh is he’s seen it happen to everybody else, so he’s not going to give up his position so easily.”
Roberts, who hadn’t played more than 10 minutes in a NBL game before Sunday’s 115-103 win against the league leaders, didn’t waste his words when asked of his performance after an outing in which he also had five rebounds and three blocks.
“I felt good and confident,” Roberts said.
“There’s good energy in the locker room right now. Guys are just hoping it’ll feed off into the next game and going into next week’s practice. Just keeping that same mentality.”
Roberts and sharpshooter Jonah Antonio were elevated to the starting five against Melbourne United, as reigning coach of the year Forde tries to find the strongest rotation which could lead the Taipans back to the post-season.
“I don’t know what my main eight are, so we’re going to keep exploring it until we find it,” said Forde after the win against Melbourne United.
“I thought Josh and Jonah were great in the fourth quarter against Brisbane so that was momentum we wanted to roll through.
“I don’t care what your expectations are.
“When we roll in and play Sydney, Josh better bring it. If he doesn’t bring it in the first five minutes he’ll find himself at the end of the bench again.
“That’s what’s important for the whole team and the message moving forward is that you have to be consistent.”
The seventh-placed Taipans will welcome the Kings to the Snakepit for the second time this season on Thursday night, and will be out to make it 2-0 for the campaign against the team which ended their NBL23 campaign in the semi finals.
Cairns is two wins outside the top six, while the Kings are fourth with a 7-5 record.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
Originally published as Adam Forde’s warning for Joshua Roberts after Taipans import’s best performance
Tassie STORMS home for statement win… despite horror five-minute opening
36ers win OT epic while Kendric leads Kings to commanding win
Bitter NBL break-up: Trez says Sixers deserted him
Came to play, want to stay: NBL imports set to join Aussie Bryce
Beat The Coach: Who replaces Bryce Cotton in NBL fantasy?
