Cairns coach Adam Forde has launched a savage broadside at most of his starting group after the Taipans' dismal 99-75 NBL loss to the Adelaide 36ers.
Sunday's blowout at the Cairns Convention Centre was decided by quarter-time as the Sixers effortlessly marched to an unassailable 38-12 lead.
Adelaide captain Dejan Vasiljevic knocked down seven three-pointers in the first seven minutes before finishing 10-of-21 from beyond the arc.
Conversely, the last-placed Taipans shot horribly early, while seemingly reluctant to rebound or play defence until it was too late.
"This is the first time there was a level of selfishness that they don't even bother to disguise," Forde said.
"I don't care how this (criticism) looks, (but) we need to start being adults and mature and professional.
"They collect a paycheque and they don't understand what it's like to work a regular job and shovel the s**t.
"Sometimes you get a little bit entitled and sometimes you get a little bit precious when you don't know what the other side looks like.
"When it's gone our way it's great and it's all Kumbaya and everybody's too nice.
"When it's like this, everybody gets sulky and they don't hold each other accountable or step up to the standard.
"They're sulky. The sulkiness is infectious, just like every other type of energy."
Import centre Tanner Groves, who toiled hard for 23 points and nine rebounds, was the only starter spared Forde's wrath.
"The starters really let us down, aside from Tanner," Forde said.
"It took our bench to really make up the effort.
"I thought Alex (Higgins-Titsha), AK (Gak) and Kyle (Adnam) were good off the bench.
"I don't always try to point fingers in this scenario, but in this case the starters really let us down."
Forde even threatened to sit starters for a whole game and use his bench instead if attitudes don't drastically improve.
"I'd hope so," Forde said when asked if he expects a positive response when Cairns (5-19) host the ladder-leading Illawarra Hawks (16-8) on Thursday.
"And if not, we've got the bench playing 40 minutes.
"It's disappointing that we keep doing it at home.
"We play better on the road and I don't know why.
"The fanbase should be annoyed."
