Canterbury Rams’ coach Mark Dickel is backing former NBA player Jermaine Taylor to bounce back from a disappointing debut showing this weekend.

Taylor, who played 65 games with the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings between 2009-11, struggled in last Saturday’s 86-76 loss to the Super City Rangers at Cowles Stadium, scoring just seven points on 2/13 shooting.

The American shooting guard only arrived in Christchurch mid-week and did not have long to get up to speed with his new team-mates and their plays.

Dickel said Taylor was a proud basketballer and expected him to be fired up for this weekend’s National Basketball League away double-header.

Canterbury face defending champions, the Wellington Saints, in the capital on Friday night. They then take on the Southland Sharks in Invercargill, 24 hours later.

The Rams, who have a 4-4 record, have already lost to both sides on their home courts already this season.

“He’s a really good player. It’s just a matter of getting him integrated and comfortable. This weekend, will be great for him,” Dickel said.

“Everybody wants to play well. I think he’s definitely really eager to play well this weekend and the rest of the season.”

The Rams are getting solid offensive production out of Kiwis Ethan Rusbatch and Richie Edwards, but would like American big man Mickell Gladness, who also played in the NBA, to be putting the ball in the hoop more regularly.

Gladness has been a force on the defensive end, averaging 11 rebounds and two blocks per game. He is averaging 11 points per game and the Rams need to find a way to get him more easy lay-ups inside

Dickel said experienced point guard Jeremy Kench, who is battling with a knee injury, would continue to push through the pain barrier.

This weekend’s double-header shapes as a pivotal one for the Rams. They desperately need to win at least one of the games before returning to Christchurch for a three-game home stretch.

AT A GLANCE

Canterbury Rams’ travelling squad: Ethan Rusbatch (c), Marques Whippy (c), Jeremy Kench, Jermaine Taylor, Richie Edwards, Mickell Gladness, Sam Timmins, Marty Davison, Tony Tolovae, Shou Nisbet.

Friday, 7pm:  vs Wellington in Wellington

Saturday, 7pm: vs Southland in Invercargill

 – Stuff