Basketball On The Internet.

ARE you kidding us? What the hell was that, Perth?

I have no issue in acknowledging a very good, controlled, smart, well-executed and disciplined win last night by the Taipans at home in Cairns over the NBL-leading Wildcats, but what on earth were those Wildcats dishing up?

Please, let's not have Taipans fans trawling all over the Internet crying "we don't get no credit" because you do. I've said it all along. On any occasion Aaron Fearne and his coaching staff have the time between games to put together an effective game plan, their Orangemen are successful.

You only have to look at their past two home wins over supposed "likely Grand Finalists" New Zealand and Perth as examples of not only that but also their ability to rise above adversity.

I love the grit and savvy Mark Worthington brings, the growth in playing stature of Shaun Bruce, the fact Torrey Craig can deliver - as I've touted since seeing him rip Adelaide apart early last season - if given daylight.

Then there's the reliability of Cam Gliddon, the fact Alex Loughton is now embracing his new role and becoming important again, Matt Burston just working and Markel Starks also rising when the challenge is thrown at him.

A lot of clubs would love the luxury of bringing in Cam Tragardh where the Taipans can, too.

BURSTIN' FOR ACTION: Matt Burston firing at Perth's Nathan Jawai last night.

Backing up is where Cairns has had its issues, and playing on the road, which often has been one-and-the-same problem.

But with all due credit apportioned, last night's performance by Perth was as dismal as I can recall. If not for the sight of Damian Martin hustling his tail off, it was unrecognisable.

Three quarter-by-quarter scores of 14-12-12? A halftime tally of 26, equal third-lowest in the club's rich history?

A fulltime score of 61, third lowest in club history?

Third straight loss for the first time since years were tallied in Roman numerals?

A meagre 33 percent shooting from the floor, 3-of-18 threes? A whopping 18 turnovers?

Missed defensive assignments, blown box outs ... I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

I think there at one point in the second half, the Wildcats had three turnovers in a row and about five in six offences, or something like that. I wasn't taking notes. I was too dumbfounded.

With all due respect, stuff like that from a few other clubs merely leads to a shrug. But from Perth?

Going 40 minutes with seven assists? As a team? No-one ... NO-ONE dishing more than ONE assist?

And this dismal, characterless effort after a 10-day break to prepare and shake off the two-game losing blues?

So Cairns fans, apologies but your team's great performance isn't the reason an opponent doesn't want to share the ball, for example.

I know Perth has a terrific run of home games to finish the regular season and its next opponent is the hardly-imposing Sydney. But these Wildcats need a soul-searching, bonding session and a coaching staff back on the ball before this season inexplicably implodes.

ILLAWARRA pair Kevin Lisch and Rob Beveridge have been named the NBL's December Player and Coach of the Month respectively, and I expect them to further show why tonight against Melbourne at The Cage. I'm not yet convinced "The United" have their mojo back, though I do expect a terrific game with marquee names such as Lisch, Chris Goulding, Kirk Penney, Stephen Holt, AJ Ogilvy, Daniel Kickert, Oscar Forman, Hakim Warrick involved. Also looking forward to again seeing how often Holt can drive, feel the most minute of defensive contact, throw his head back as though he's been surreptiously bashed, and con a foul from the refs for it.

Last night: CAIRNS TAIPANS 71 (Craig 15, Loughton, Worthington 13, Bruce 10; Craig 12 rebs; Gliddon 8 assts) d PERTH WILDCATS 61 (Beal 18, Prather 13, Knight 10; 4 with 6 rebs; 7 with 1 asst) at Cairns Convention Centre.