Hoops

Melb. vs Cairns, Oct 12

Also why did Anstey not call a timeout in the third? Not really a coach hater but he should've called a timeout to stop the bleeding.

I'd be interested to be how much $$$ Wilbekin is on

Cairns played a much more uptempo style than in previous years. I actually loved watching them play today.

Maybe the low-slow and boring tempo in season's past was a product of Jamar Wilson and his PG management rather than Fearnes' style. I remember they played uptempo with Ubaka and Dorsey so I do think Fearne can coach that style and he does enjoy it.

Melbourne - a team of 'stars' not playing as a team perhaps? Still early days, and of course Dennis did not play, but Anstey will need to show he can bring the team together or his days as a HC could be numbered.

Recap: NBL 2014/15 Round 1: Cairns Throttle Listless Melbourne

Lots of keyboard warriors here again - Taipans put up 186 points in 2 road games and get boring etc etc etc

If those whining actually noticed, the zone D mixed with tough one on one and then explode in transition is how Perth play. But lets not let facts get in the way of good bitchfest.

The easy way round Cairns zone is to hit the open 3. United just stood around the arc waiting for the clock to run out before jacking a brick up.
Barlow was a passenger as was Kickert, Worthingtons effort was there it was just to bad there was no offensive direction.
Cairns on the other hand were very well run by Gliddon & Wilbekin. Nice pick & pop with Burston & Loughten which Melbourne never defended with any sucess.
Great performance from the Taipan's.

Melbourne will win some games this season but I don't think they'll seriously be contending the championship.

player of the week has to go to wilbekin surely!

very impressive and possibly the best thing cairns have done in a while by getting him. also offloading Wilson.

I know who id prefer in my team and it aint Wilson (even in early days).

There's no problem with ex-player coaches.

There's problems with ex-player coaches with no experience.

Anstey had what 2 years coaching Big V before been appointed HC at the Tigers.

Sam McKinnon recently came out and said he would love to be HC of the new Brisbane team. Been a HC is a different kettle of fish to playing and no HC should be appointed based on how good of a player he was. It should be earned. Its not an entitlement.

Only took one game for me to realise that United will not contend this year.

The issues from last year remain. Anstey will get outcoached every single night.

There should be absolutely no excuses if United don't perform this year.

Yeah, I see some of that but I also see a poor shooting % by United and not much cohesion by them, not the officials that decided this one Anonymous...

Nice reverse alley-oop to Walker near the end, goal of the game, let's see more of that!!

I'm not sure I am buying the boring basketball line, Cairns has done what it takes to put themselves in a winning position, yes using some zone to advantage, but surely Melbourne are not playing at their best??

If teams don't work Cairns out, then the league is in trouble, if United don't work themselves out, they are in trouble.

Let's see how they adjust next time they meet??

I don't think melbourne realise that you can take a shot from inside the 3 point line

Loughtan is a big with range, I like him, maybe United should should guard that?

Interesting observation here, the United playing top has the Victorian and Victorian Country logos both next to one another on the top of the back of them!

Now I want to buy one,,,,!!

Wilbekin is legit. Think it will be between him, Jackson and Childress for MVP.

No denying Melbourne has the talent, but so far I've seen nothing that demonstrates they can all gel together as a team. Early days yet...

I am watching on the TV and I am not convinced about that first qtr, very average from both teams so far.

Why is it that big guys don't throw it down more? Get aggressive fellas!!

I'm not convinced on Melbourne, great team on paper but paper won't win you the game. Cairns are well coached and will be feeling confident but may run out of legs after having already played this weekend.

it said so at the end of the nbl broadcast on friday night

The new Melbourne "United" brand makes its formal NBL debut today.

NBL 2014/15 Round 1 Preview: United brand set to debut against Taipans

Can Philly's NBA draftee Jordan McRae make a serious impact in the NBL?

South 67 beat Norwood 60 @ Marion
Southern 78 beat Sturt 60 @ The Cage
Centrals 40 lost to West 91 at Starplex
North 88 beat Eastern 68 @ the Astro-Shed

Anyone shed some light on these results?