Hoops

Oct 27, Cairns v Melbourne

Deactivate DD and bring in Gaze

Oh wait...

I'm with Free, it's baffling.

I actually thought Williams showed a bit of gumption last night. He got pushed around by Nate for a while (which is not an indictment at all, let's face it, he's huge), then played some pretty good D after his third foul.

He really isn't a consideration in MU's offence at all, so his lack of points shouldn't be an issue. He's far from Melbourne's biggest problem at the moment, as other posters have suggested. Jackson was MIA last night. I don't know why Andersen wasn't given more minutes, because Wesley was terrible. Moore was okay in patches, but Blanchfield was a waste of space.

Why don't they just de-activate him.

Just a small comment on the (lack of) coaching. They let Trice drive to his right for an easy layup quite a few times last night.

You would be disappointed with a junior coach who didn't adjust to that.

Terrible coach.

From memory after Johnson got sacked, I think its once they've played 8 games or played for 2 months (depending on what occurs first). Not 100% sure on it, but I think I remember reading that somewhere.

to clarify I'm referring to standard import contracts

Makes sense.

Doesn't a contract become guaranteed after 7 games? Or is it once they've passed 7, ie: Played 8?

If the latter, this is the last chance to sack Williams before they have to pay out his full contract. Is that how it works?

Sources are saying United either has or is about to sack Williams

Yes he is an assistant at Brisbane right now but Mick Downer is ready for a top job somewhere

SD did more with much much less last year. A no brainer.

Agreed.

United should be looking at another (former) North Queensland-based coach, IMO.

And of course they have Fearne coaching, who's coached for 7 seasons with the Taipans being consistently competitive, and arguably over achieving in that time, having made two grand finals. It's a solid group with a solid coach.

Sportsbet would tell you they'll win 7 or 8 games for the season. I think they'll do better.

Only saw 1st half so far.

I’m done talking about DD- we all agree he isn’t quite the guy to lead United to glory.

But he’s not the only problem. Jackson is, as Mark Dickel said, not the player he was 3-4 years ago. Andersen doesn’t even look like the player he was in Rio 2 months ago. With Goulding missing, they just aren’t as stacked with talent as we thought, given that two of the supposed elite talents don’t look elite.

Also, give credit where it’s due. Cairns have a decent import trio, big Jawai in the paint who looks in better shape than last year, jack of all trades Wortho at forward, and Gliddon, a fundamentally sound shooting guard who will keep the scoreboard ticking over. And then a bunch of other guys who can all play a role. If they’re the worst team in the league as the bookies suggest, then it’s just more evidence of how strong the NBL is this season.

DD is now an A cup.

Great game from Cairns. Held their nerve in the final quarter, when MU looked like they might bring it home. Full credit to Fearne for not calling a time out, instead letting the team work it out and gain some confidence in themselves.

Hopefully a break-out game for DoubleT. Wortho was awesome, as was Egwu. Nate's game will probably be underestimated tonight. He played well. Good to see Edwin continue to shoot the 3, even if he looked a little hesitant to shoot it for a short stretch. Anyone remember Wilbekin's horror 3pt shooting stretch a couple of years ago?

Melbourne are 3-4, 7 games in 28 game season.

So 25% of the season already over for them.

AngusH - 1998/99

Struggling big time - dropped to 3-4, so much talent, such little heart. The system (if there is one) doesn't work, there are glimpses of chemistry but never seems to last more than 3 mins at a time, often when we are already 10 points down.

Wesley is all about himself and never stops complaining about calls. I am struggling to like him. Cedric needs to never shoot the 3 ball again but can keep delivering those tasty dishes. Maybe give Devin Williams a ticket to the Melbourne Cup so he can complete his Graduation holiday and then put him on a plane home the next afternoon. Hell, take DD with you Aiiight!

All that said, well done to Cairns, completely outplayed us and showed what you can do if you stick together as a TEAM and WORK HARD.

Hope United can be turn it around - Breakers then Kings to come....no easy wins out there!

Train, yeah sorry, forgot the NBL website is perpetually out of date.

I'd say making the top 4 is the most important thing, and if you're 50/50 prior to developing chemistry - which often takes a little while with stacked sides - then you probably aren't going to overreact and throw all the toys out of the cot.

Warriors got crushed by Spurs on opening night and Miami Heat took more than a few months to develop their stacked side 5 years ago.

I'm not worried for United after just 6 games in a pretty tight and even league.

United are actually 3-4 ;)

Lost to 36ers, Perth, Cairns and NZ

Can't want to get caught up in the DD deprecation, and have to hope United get on with it as the season progresses; so despite the loss, glad I went up to watch this game.
I'd once confidently dissed Eggwu. Again tonight he made those comments look silly.
Don't know how he does it, and it certainly ain't classy, but he makes a real contribution.
Still, Taipans looked like they would retain the script from previous games and give it away in the 4th. United needed more minutes, just like Wildcats got for themselves.
Taipans to string some wins away? Not all that likely on present form.

They're shit.
3-3 is actually irrelevent.

Biggest waste of talent in the NBL.

Relax, they're 3-3

Lelburn United!

I love it!

More like Lelbourne United, amirite?

Wesley is overrated IMO. Why does he persist with the ridicolous 3's. He made a few with the Breakers and all of a sudden thinks he is Klay Thompson

CYA LATER DD AND HOPEFULLY DW

Yeah I enjoyed trigger too

Jackson is washed up

Trigger not bad on the call

Aiiiiiiiiight

Cairns win, see ya DD.

Lel

Commentary equal or worse than DD coaching!

Did anyone know that Travis Trice played infront of 72000 ppl before ?

Wortho playing a game!!

Anyone know what year David Andersen first played in the NBL?

I am going to be soooo happy when the Kings lift the trophy at the end of the season.

Blake and Kazzouh to come in.

Good luck everyone else

Full credit Melb have been balling since 3QT.

LV will be losing it watching these Majok dunks.

Less replays, more live action please.

Tomlinson acting like he's all that, you're down by 10 to the worst team in the league mate.

DD is coaching this like an under 10s game, making sure all the kids get equal minutes.

Make no mistake Melb are making them look better than they are.

I wonder what Cairns' record would be right now with a healthy Trice from game 1.

3QT

Cairns 65-54

Rough 60 seconds for Devin

DD will be on a plane back to USA in hours.

He's cooked.

The full court press is one of the most stupid things i have seen on a basketball court.

No wonder you NEVER see it in the NBA and almost ALWAYS in the NBL

Luuuc summed up the half perfectly.