Hoops

Casper Ware officially announced by Melbourne Utd

Mid 2000s the great Bullets/Kings/Tigers arms race was similar. The $$$ has returned.

Would've thought there were $2m+ teams in recent years also.

Holy crap...the NBL could have a $2m team (I say could because these are unsubstantiated claims).

Thank goodness we have a soft cap that is strictly policed and a luxury tax process that is open and transparent as advertised.

Seriously, I hope this type of arms race is sustainable.

I doubt $2mill. If so close the nbl now.

Because Boti said Goulding is on $400k a year and Andersen is rumoured to be on $500k-$600k a year. I doubt Prather, Ware & Boone are playing for peanuts.

Yeah that's quite likely that Boone comes off the bench to spread the talent more evenly. The starting 5 of other teams may be able to match Utd's starting lineup for stretches but if Dean smartly manages his 2nd unit makeup, that would be where they may have a slight unfair advantage over other teams with weaker 2nd unit.

Every year it seems Melbourne have a ridiculously stacked starting 5. This year seems the most stacked I've seen, though.

"#4479 id clrarly a dickwad. Adnam and hooley eont get it done. Undoubtedlt. Training bait so why even bother."

Drunken ramblings on a Wednesday night. Nice!

Stevek2, if Majok starts, they have Boone providing impact off the bench. Moller will be useful too.

Melbourne have a tricky start, two games in Adelaide punctuated by trip US and then back over to Perth followed two days later by game at home against NZ. Still a really good looking squad of players but could be a few games down early.

#4479 id clrarly a dickwad. Adnam and hooley eont get it done. Undoubtedlt. Training bait so why even bother.

Hmmm if you look at their bench only: Adnam, Hooley, Moller, Wesley, Majok and Barlow... outside of Wesley, scoring may become a bit of an issue. There will be roughly a 10 minute window where two of the big three will be sitting and the one left on the floor can step up and get their shots.

Pretty sure Vickerman would be preparing to make sure that it will be an offensive capable lineup for 40 minutes straight.

Melbourne have a tricky start, two games in Adelaide punctuated by trip US and then back over to Perth followed two days later by game at home against NZ. Still a really good looking squad of players but could be a few games down early.

B.O., I'm not saying 9 PPG. I'm saying 17 PPG and solid boards/assists. I can see the three big guns sharing the scoring fairly evenly, even if the guards take more shots to get there.

Prather compliments the 3pt shooting of Ware/Goulding perfectly. Seems to be a good balance on paper, especially if Andersen is healthy. Bench is fine if none of the starters miss significant time.

I see Goulding dropping to number 3 option with Prather and Ware 1+2.

I love Goulding but he showed last year there's only so many fade away 3 pointers you can make plus it wont carry a team deep into the finals.

I expect his production to go down but he will have the opportunity to hit plenty of open 3's with two playmakers on the team.

Very excited, although dreading a 1-3 start...

People might be overlooking the fact that Prather had done all he could in Perth. Runner up in the MVP, back to back titles and everyone seems to be shouting Cottons praises. He goes to United and potentially helps them to a title will only boost his stock. NBA teams value the intangibles especially more so for the role players.

Exactly B.O but in the heat of the moment finding out Cotton's salary that wasn't taken into consideration.

^Unselfishly not selfishly

For the interest of Prather's future career prospects, I can't see him wanting to play a "supporting role".

While you want imports to play selfishly and forgo shots and points (like the GSW players do), Prather's numbers directly impact his livelihood.

If Prather goes a season only average 9 points a game, that would have to diminish his stock for other leagues right?

I could see a Cedric Jackson style meltdown coming again.

#644479

Lovely post. I wish you happiness in your life.

I disagree that the backup guards are weak. Comparative to other teams around he league and what they'll put out I'd say they are on par. Big man depth is also good this year with the overall bench looking very promising.

Backup guards are weak as.

Yes Adam and Holley will play an important part in their Chamionship. Not.

Tough team, interesting to see how they go. Which team will have the best match up against them? Ware for mine and Boone we're consistent, bubbles and cp can go missing more bubbles.

Seen in all sports, there is always a Cinderella story wonder witch team will it be this year.

If they are still paying $4 I'll be putting a couple hundred on em, recruit of the year is still Vickerman imo

Assuming holding is g it to play.

I wouldn't put money on them!

Expecting them to re-sign Ware I thought the Prather signing was a curious one. Shades of Ebi Ere at the Tigers, just too many cooks in the kitchen.

Is Prather going to be comfortable being Ramone Moore on this team? Goulding is obviously the #1 guy and Ware is probably #2 so Prather is likely going to be the third option.

I could see a Cedric Jackson style meltdown coming again.

United were paying $4 for the championship the other day.

Yep.

History tells us teams of talented individuals don't necessarily become champion teams.

It will be either frustrating or fun to watch. One or the other....

Best case scenario is a 97 Tigers team. Multiple stars all working together, or as Goorj said at the time, a bit like playing whack-a-mole and you just can't keep them all down at once.

Worst case might be.... it just doesn't work and they miss playoffs. Aka Kings 2017

What is more likely this season - Cairns winning the chip or the NBL releasing player salaries like they promised last year?

Im a united supporter but until we see this team gel on court and get runs on the board early, its hard to buy in and get over the issues of the last few years. Arguably brought in someone (Prather) who will demand more shots than Blanchfield did last few years so it looks like not enough ball once again

What is more likely this season - Cairns winning the chip or the NBL releasing player salaries like they promised last year?

Sorry to say this folks but its looking like United for the Championship (barring things like injury or NBA call ups).

Damn thats a good team and without Dean Demopolous as head coach this team is deadly.

Sorry to say this folks but its looking like United for the Championship (barring things like injury or NBA call ups).

This team can hurt you from outside or mid-range at the 1, 2, 3 and 5.

Can't see any team capable of stopping this line up for 4 quarters.

Is prather at a point in his career were he's happy to let his scoring production numbers slide?

It might work better to play Andersen with Majok and Moller with Boone.

Basically I'm not sure if DA is starting quality on a top 4 team.

Prather will be a Torrey Craig type with that team, less scoring.. he should jump his assist numbers though with good creation off the bounce.

Ware, Goulding and Prather...

Someones going to need to sacrifice their scoring a bit. Who's it going to be.

^
Me

Mmmmmm hmmm.

Oooooh yeah.

Welcome back Champ.

Boone
DA
Prather
CG43
Casper

Not a bad starting 5 you might say....

I was thinking should the 36ers offer these 2 contracts, Clarke is there as assistant coach with them at the moment i hope he is getting in their ears. There have been rumours of Barlow wanting to come back to the NBL and Baynes was rumoured to be a 36ers target on here a few weeks ago, would it be better to go without the 2nd import and sign these 2 along with say Ervin.

I know we have plenty of SF/Sgs but Barlow would be a good signing IMO, if we get Baynes or a cheap import big along with Johnson, Ballinger we dont need too much more in the PF/C rotation, and Weigh,Creek, Barlow would be able to play PF for 5 mins here and there. Barlow would give us a good proven go to guy at NBL level and would be our only legit top level/Boomer in our team.

Baynes would give us the aggressive inside player to compliment Ballinger and Johnson.

Given we have 2 import spots and around 29 points to spare, if not asking crazy money and interested in the NBL i reckon we should have enough spare to offer these guys a decent contract.

Would give us a team of

Baynes/Johnson
Ballinger
Weigh/Creek
Barlow/Herbert/Ng
IMPORT (Ervin)/Crosswell

id use depth chart of

Baynes (25mins)/Johnson (15)
Ballinger (30)/Johnson (5)/Creek or Weigh (5)
Weigh (20)/Creek (15)/Barlow (5)
Barlow (25)/Herbert (10)/Ng (5)
Ervin (30)/Crosswell (10)

I'd be pretty happy with that, obviously it would be a tough ask to get Baynes and Barlow, but hey Clarke surely has an advantage and shot at it being involved with the Boomers aslong as we can offer market level contracts to these guys.