Hoops

Melbourne Utd vs Perth Wildcats 23/10 3:00pm AEDT

Melbourne looked pretty ordinary for a team who were almost unanimous pre-season favourites.

When the commentators are calling out your line-ups as having NO offensive threats (and then conceding that Wesley can score a bit), but you can't see it at coach there is something wrong. And no Wesley should not be the offensive powerhouse in any line-up (useful 4th or 5th option, sure).

Melbourne might have a good core, but their bench might be the weakest in the league. I realise Goulding was not available (Barlow, does he still play!) but Melbourne should have won that game.

Every year we talk about Perth's offensive limitations, and every year they still seem to get it together somehow. That said, I just can't see them consistently putting up winning scores this year. I have watched a few of their games now, and they are a mess at the offensive end.

All in all, not a very convincing outing by either team.

Lol @ Dazz who makes a comment on the entire league and then whinges when someone replies to him.

He has been used to close out games in the 4th quarter a few times this season now. It's a smart move, keep him fresh and then use his wealth of experience when its needed. Redhage maybe dwindling but he still clutch in high pressure situations.

I think Redhage showed his experience today. Played more minutes as normal and we needed his experience on court.

The league looks close? It's Sydney then daylight.

Blake no Kobe, I don't understand why Sydney is the team to beat?

Khazzoih is not a superstar. If he was they wouldn't be bottom of the ladder every year with him as their main guy

Lol

Gleeson is a flog

My question marks over Sydney were. 1 no pass first PG. 2. Gaze .

Blake is the answer to #1. And #2 is looking good. Vickerman is there too, after all, to guide him through so perhaps that's no surprise.

(Or injuries).

And of course, keep in mind my "without personnel changes" comment. There could always be import changes, coaching changes etc.

I've seen plenty of every single team. So far, every team has shown at least one obvious, significant weakness.... Except Sydney.

2 things to add to that observation.

1. Without personnel changes, I don't see any of the other teams overcoming their weakness.

2. It's unlikely that the introduction of Khazzouh and Blake will create any weakness for Sydney. We're talking a 7 footer who can score from anywhere, and an NBA point guard. The only question being raised is "will there be enough ball to go around" chemistry, etc. But Blake has always been a role player, so has Maric and Newley over past few years. These are veterans. I don't see it being an issue.

lv when can you stop talking crap? get over yourself! Perth will be there every year like it or not. you 're a toss.

good luck with United, Sydney have to prove to be that team you want them to be

"I'm just making an educated assumption that the introduction of a superstar 7 footer and a 13 year NBA guy who will shore up their only weakness, That could add some daylight."

Or it could totally back fire if the chemistry isn't there :P

"It's Sydney then daylight."

That's a pretty big call at this stage of the season to be making. Kings have played one team thats currently in the top 4 and that was a loss to Brisbane. Add to that they are currently second on the ladder. Great team with a bucket load of potential - Yes.....but I think its way too early to be placing them ahead of the pack :)

Well Sydney has been the most impressive team to date, full stop.

I'm just making an educated assumption that the introduction of a superstar 7 footer and a 13 year NBA guy who will shore up their only weakness, That could add some daylight.

It's Sydney then daylight *on paper*.

The league looks close? It's Sydney then daylight. I expect Utd to snatch second once they have their full line up back, and their talent can overcome their coach

Most cats fans probably wont care too much if they dont win the whole thing aslong as they make the finals and keep the streak going.

Hows that cats offense looking today dazz?

"Why didn't MU sack DD and appoint Gaze in the offseason?" Clearly you don't know anything about the Tigers and United history.

Agree mostly Lawsy but don't underestimate dat Cats basketball.

Why didn't MU sack DD and appoint Gaze in the offseason?

Perth don't have the firepower to win it this year.. I can't see them keeping up with a stacked kings team as the season goes.. They are a Casey Prather injury away from wooden spoons

I think Redhage showed his experience today. Played more minutes as normal and we needed his experience on court. Im surprised after hitting 2 hi quality 3's Gleeson didnt put DD on for more of a run.
McKays a big hustler but he lacks the muscle to compete against the big C's. Thank god for Knight though for that.

Ingram so far averaging 8.5ppg on 6/17 shooting (35 per cent). Having said that, the shots he has made have been timely. One of the problems though is that prather has to do more ball handling and playmaking and by the end of both games he's looked absolutely spent. A lot of comparisons between beal and Ingram but beal could provide extra ball handling.

Lets see Ingram with the benefit of a full weeks training so that everyone can gain some cohesion. I would say he's been a downgrade on Johnson so far but Matt Knight's return has helped cover that up. Absolutely stellar return weekend from the knightmare.

So how in Barlow still on the roster and getting paid? Best gig ever.

Why not post the letter in a thread here, LV?

DD lost that game. Stupid substitutions were the least of it. So often MU set up someone for a one on one and then one of his team-mates would either get in the way or be so close that his defender could help guard the ball.
As for the farcical last few minutes when nobody in MU wanted to shoot, or they missed no-pressure shots, or they blew overload fast breaks ... Jeez.

And WHY did Jackson chuck up that last shot instead of a play to get it to either Andersen or Blanchfield or even Tomlinson?

I think they were easily good enough to win without Goulding; they just couldn't! (Instead of Wesley chucking up bricks it probably would have been Goulding doing it.)

Next coach please.

Barlow played a few pre season games. Then hurt his calf, I think. Previous injury was achilles.

Sydney got premiereship coach as an assistant, they're stacked for players and coaches.

Does Barlow even count as a missing player these days? Guy hasn't played for two years.

When is Barlow due back

Was Moore under utilised, someone asked?

I'm done. I probably shouldn't post any more as it'll turn into an anti DD rant.

Maybe I should dig out the email I drafted after round 1, update it and actually send it to Vince Crivelli this time. Expressing my concerns re DD.

As far as the season, United will make top 4. They lost a close one to a team who was 3-1 coming in, and were missing their best scorer (Goulding) and possibly their most reliable spot up three point shooter (Barlow). So it's not the end of the world. But damn it is hard to sit there and watch a coach making hair brained subs for an entire game.

Melbourne need a coach... "Alright!"

The United didn't have CG43 but Perth didn't have Kenny, one of their most important creators.

Agreed LV, Williams has been a fail. Perfect time to scoop up a good player right now! Melbourne need a 7fter

Improving* themselves

nice road win

Well I've seen both teams play heaps this season, and that game confirmed my thoughts on both of them.

Perth are solid defensively, but don't have many go to options other than Prather. Struggle in half court offense. Real potential for semi final or even grand finalist. Very unlikely to win the championship.

Demopoulos is out of his depth. Hope I'm wrong but it's Hard to see Melbourne winning a title with him at the helm making dimwitted decisions.

Wouldn't surprise me if this week is spent looking at New import options to replace Williams, and a call is made to Shawn Dennis (does he still live in Townsville? Someone might pay him a visit on Thursday or Friday). One game this week, then an 8 day break so it's quite possible DD and DW are on a plane by this time next week.

Hard to watch that today. I'd prefer if Utd were more like Adelaide- zero chance of a title but young kids infringing t themselves, playing with a system, play with passion, led by a good coach.

lv gone missing? sorry bubbles didn't play, d$oesn't count as nothing.

WTF is Demopolous smoking? Odigie/Adnam/Tomlinson/Blanchfield/Wesley as a lineup while the game is on the line and Moore + Andersen+ Cedric cooling their heels??
Haha....supercoach

Surely Devin Williams is gone.

Surely Devin Williams is gone.

Just a lazy 13 boards for D.Martin today. More than Majok + Andersen combined

Big win for Perth. Is it me or was Moore totally under utilised by United in the second half. He was looking good in the first half. I like the fact that Perth are closing out close games even with their offence stinking it up.

United needs to put a call into Shawn Dennis

No, no they don't

They do know that he missed that corner 3, right? He only scored 8 points.

Ingram speaks well

'The last player on their roster that should be attempting a 3 at the buzzer to put the game into OT is Cedric Jackson. Other than maybe Majok although I'd probably prefer him taking it over Cedric who needs to realise one of these days he can't shoot'

Lol totally agree