The first week on the job for the Sydney Kings' new coach has been marred by a 101-83 defeat to the Cairns Taipans.
The loss on Friday night was the team's first against their small-town rivals this season and came less than a week after Joe Connelly took the reins.
The Snakes' two imports Torrey Craig and Markel Starks played like they had something to prove, scoring 20 and 18 points respectively after disappointing performances in the Wednesday night loss to the Crocodiles.
Kings' star forward Josh Childress did little to help his side's woes in his second game back from injury, scoring just four points before taking the bench and icing his hand.
Tom Garlepp and Angus Brandt both bagged 16 points to top the Kings' scoring.
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The Taipans started with energy to lead 33-21 and kept control to be up 51-44 at the main break.
They were strong until the end of the third (72-63) before storming home to their decisive victory at the Cairns Convention Centre.
The win pushes the Taipans up one spot to sit sixth on the ladder, ahead of their next game on Friday against the Illawarra Hawks.
The Kings remain last, also with a week's rest, before playing the New Zealand Breakers.
