Hoops

Melbourne cut Devin Williams

Barlow has arhilles and calf injuries the past two seasons, in his thirties, can't see him being united saviour.

and, was anyone else not surprised yo learn today that Williams can actually play basketball if left on court for longer than 20 seconds?

Melbourne will still make top 4, but it looks like another semi final exit to me.

DD does need to go, I've said that for ages, but putting that aside, would any team In the NBL keep winning if they lost:

- Their top scorer.
- Another starter.
- A quality player off the bench. Barlow was a starter in 2014/15, before missing last season.

Take Prather out of Perth's line up and tell me how you think they'll go.

Update: bottom 2 after that lack of team chemistry and confidence.

It seems to me that the players have lost confidence in the coach over the last weeks - does anyone have inside sources who can comment on that?

So DW wasn't cut (yet), as he's playing (well, sort of).

To clarify my earlier point , I expect them to be bottom 3 come New Year

"11 games to go this year, and I think United will struggle to win more than 3."

???

So this report was incorrect?

11 games to go this year, and I think United will struggle to win more than 3. (I hope I'm wrong.) I wonder what benchmark DD needs to achieve to keep his job.

Ironic that DW lost his job cos of DD, who has shown more incompetence in his role than DW.

Who will DD's next scapegoat be, I wonder?

Nope, I said Devin was a better player I'm college, based on his accolades and resume.

That doesn't mean he'll be a better NBL player, but it should give us pause to wonder if other factors are involved in his poor form other than a lack of ability. Like, Not being given opportunities, Not being given a chance to find his rhythm, not having plays run for him etc. I said after the first game if the season that Majok and Williams needed more time. 6 more games later, that hasn't changed. Just old DD still has not caught on....

DD went and messed it all up.. I expect he wont be around for long.

The NBL seemed to invest a bit in Devin as a league identity - profiles, images in marketing, etc. Always a risk with imports, especially those coming in new.

Mmm, that's like Stephen Jackson.. couldn't cut it here but luckily the NBA gave him a chance. ;)

That was Blake's first pro game ever outside the NBA. Aside from his shot not dropping you could already tell his court vision was a step above, wait until he gets his legs under him, adjusts to FIBA rules, his new teammates and the style of play in the NBL and I think you'll soon see how good he will be in the NBL.

"Steve Blake is not that good at NBL level"

You're not that good at knowing what a good player is....at any level.

'Steve Blake is not that good at NBL level'

Lol wat?

He already looked a cut above and hasn't played ball for 5 months or something

He looked very good in his first game, IMO.

Only issue was that he lacked a bit of shooting touch- missed a couple of wide open threes early in the game, shots that he'll start hitting soon.

Steve Blake is not that good at NBL level

If we can get someone as good as Steve Blake who fits our squad just as well, we might have to get rid of the daylight Kings label.

Daylight then Devin Williams?

re Williams and McKay- interestingly they played against each other in the same college conference.

Williams outperformed McKay in college if the stats and personal accolades are any indication. And Williams is also 2 years younger, so you might assume he has more upside, if anything.

I agree DD has staved him of opportunities and I agree that the best change United could make would be getting rid of the guy on the sidelines. Aaaiiight.

But on the other hand, if a better import big is available then they need to go for it, because the way it looks is that they won't get anywhere near the Kings.

Guarantee you put Mckay into a 12 min a game role he produces similar.

So MU has done a Perth and delisted him. ;)

I'm sorry but you have to touch the ball or at least get into a rhythm to be effective as a player....Williams really never got a chance...DD is yanking everyone back and forth....

It's weird, as of a couple of days ago MU wee "categorically denying" the rumour and claiming it had not even been discussed.
So you don't know if "Sportando" has more information, or is simply late reporting the original rumour.

Should this team need to make changes to improve though?

"Easily as good as McKay"?

Ummm no...

Mckay has proven to be a sound offensive player, is a far better rebounder and shot blocker, and works a lot harder than willams on both ends.

Maybe they tried and he said no? It's not always a given when recruiting players...

So apparently Williams is training with United today, so maybe it's jsut a "we want to see other people" sort of thing?

Illawara should have signed Daniel Alexander from Texas A&M not Holyfield.

If this ends up being correct that's what I think the role they signed Devin for not much could've been expected out of him it's not like he was starting or was ever going to play big minutes. Scapegoat.

It's funny as in a similar situation after this past weekend's games Boti said expect Holyfield to be cut soon. Another potential scapegoat.

I get that he's not a massive super star. But he is easily as good as Jameel Mckay. Especially off the bench.

How about you play your import more than 12 minutes a game if you would like better production. Classic MU.

The same person said that DD should go too

When was the last time this many imports were cut?

Where there's smoke, there's usually fire.

But let's be honest, Blind Freddy saw this one coming.

If Melbourne can replace him with someone really good (like the Kings did with Blake) then they could make this competition interesting and challenge Sydney this season. So in that respect, this is great news.

How long till DD gets the chop!!

Someone said to me after his first good game, he can't play. I laughed. Oops.

I find it interesting every year that some imports just can't play in the grinding style of the NBL

Tough timing with the double this round... Nothing on the twitter, I wonder if they were waiting to see fi they could get his replacement sorted first?

Pretty much every year Koberulz.
There's only been 3 sacked (and one of them has since been reinstated). That's pretty standard.

I wonder who they have ready to replace him. Someone's already either there, or on a plane.

well, that's what 2.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game will get ya

When was the last time this many imports were cut?