Hoops

Boxing Day: Brisbane @ Melbourne

Then fuck it, im kidding myself. But im not going to get all excited about United beating up on a less than fully functioning Bullets team. It was a bloodbath, but string some wins together on the road, then we can talk. But for now, im happy to be kidding myself a few games clear at the top of the table.

^^^ LOL

1) Roof open

*daylight*

2) Roof closed

If there is one thing we must learn from this season it is that the difference between a win or a loss is so tight and team balance is so critical that anyone can still get up for the finals, United are flying now but the season is what, half way in...!

It's not how you play in December that counts. It's how you play in February and March.

Things are starting to look up for United. Their biggest issue might be lack of cohesion due to lack of practice together. 3 starters having extended sits on the sidelines, 2 imports arrriving mid season. They've never had a settled line-up for any decent period of time.

When Randle, Sobey and DJ fire the 6ers can beat anyone.
Aside from TFerg not much else worth getting excited about.

United have loads of different options and combos that work....way too inconsistent though. Let's see them string 8 in a row like the 6ers.

Finals contenders but still far off from being championship favourites

United are not favourites. Great revenge win over a depleted and flat Brisbane but they are not title favourites. That's adelaide as of right now.

DD for next Boomers coach. Aiight?!!

Boone with his strong rebounding and energetic inside play appears to have shored up one area where United could have been exposed.

5-2 since Ware arrived and most of those wins without either Blanchfield or Andersen.

Gibson is a problem for the Bullets. Takes too long to get them into an offensive set IMO. Their offense makes for tough viewing.

They look good when Bruce is in as they tend to flow more and get easy basketa. But the flipside is that he gets a bit too out of control sometimes and not settled.

As a general philosophy I don't mind them trying out new things in the name of improving the TV product, but yeah spider cam has been predictably pointless.

In regards to Brisbane being boring they have been very good in regards to competing but now no bairstow makes them really weak. Don't think the nbl is too worried about the Melb united boys having a sell out and pumping an opponent. I'd prefer to have Christmas lunch with dazz and redhage before bringing this spider cam back though!

If they played with the roof open and it's raining the floor wipers would be flat out!!!

Brisbane not a great choice for a showpiece game. Easily the most boring side in the NBL and not that good either

With 5 points, a few boards, and a block from Boone he's already showed up Goggles

At 1/2time Melb are now $1.14 to the Bullets $5.5.

Spider cam is designed for big venues not small basketball stadiums. Save you money NBL on head spinning vertigo inducing unwatchable ideas. You tried it and it failed.

CG43!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CG43!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree. It's a very crappy camera angle. Does the NBA ever do it? No. So why do the producers think it's a good way to broadcast the NBL this way? Not everything has to be the same as the NBA obviously but at least get the basics right.

Perth hnasd Jervis coming off the bench backing up Knight and Jawai and gave him away.amazing

Confirming these camera angles are annoying af. The season so far has been poor in this respect.

Spidercam could be good for another perspective on some replays but should not be used in game.

yep, they just bragged about it. Piece of junk.

What's with these camera angles?

Welcome to the face palm thread folks...

Abbey gelmi is great

Is it possible to play in the rain or would the court be too slippery?

The roof is officially closed. Will instead be open February 6 vs Illawarra.

Your not I'm Melbourne and not watching what game?
No one mentioned any game. The forecast for rain doesn't always mean the roof will be closed either.

"Invented by Al Gore"

Are you aware of this thing called 'the Internet'? It's a series of tubes invented by Al Gore. It's pretty neat, you should check it out some time.

Since I'm not in Melbourne and not watching the game how would I know it's raining dumbass above.

Because it's raining dumbass above.

Because it's forecast to rain dumbass.

how do u know the roof is shut ?

TC is playing

Shame about the weather not allowing the roof to be open.

Hopefully it's a cracking game.

Never know which United will turn up.

I'll preface this with the following:

1. I understand 'ref bashing' is frowned upon; we all get frustrated from time to time.
2. It's not an easy job and they're not well paid.
3. It's easy to go on irrational rants pointed in the official's direction after a sucky loss.

That said, provided it stays respectful, I think something needs to be said about the officiating during the Crocs game.

It's in no way hyperbole or exaggeration for me to say that was some of the worst reffing I've seen in around 25 years of playing and watching basketball (including 19ish years as a season ticket holder).

28 fouls to half time?
Charging and blocking fouls totally interchangeable.
Hip checks not called one minute, called the next.
Heavy arm bars not called, virtually non-existent hand checks called.
Screens were anyone's guess.

It honestly REALLY detracted from last night's game. As absolutely ridiculously horrible as Haines consistently is, he was probably the best of the three last night, which is down right scary.

Something honestly needs to be done when the officiating is so blatantly detracting from the product - the majority of people around me were either at a loss for explanations or downright furious.


As I said, let's see if we can't keep the tone of the thread respectful, if not constructive. There has to be some avenues for lifting the overall standard of refs, surely.