Hoops

Bullets vs United

Can't agree.

Ignoring LV is the only way to enjoy Hoops.

Ignoring anonymous trolls is the only way to enjoy Hoops.

Yes I know him too. Despite him saying he isn't that into United the one eyed behaviour is identical to the Tigers years going back to early 2000s. His comeback during the comeback was so obvious.

LV simply ignores getting called out. So obvious.

A couple of years ago I thought AJ Ogilvy was the best big man in the NBL.....

Those 10-0 and 14-0 runs made with ease by the Bullets is alarming for United.

Agree with Camel31... I think Gibson looks more motivated than he's been the past couple of years. He fades away into the background when he's being used off the ball next to an import 1, and I think Bris using him at the 1 off the bench is doing wonders for him.

Time to bring back the tigers

2 big leadS

I got the impression of Gibson being a great spark off the bench . Came on twice and helped Brisbane get 2 big lead , passing and driving etc... While Melbourne caught up twice when he went off ..Most likely best I have seen him for a while..

I'm with Paul (& LV a little).

United every season seem to believe in the hype too much and strut around as though they should be a protected species. Goulding especially seems to blame the refs for when he gets caught out by his poor D, or when he takes a dumb shot. I hope that Vickerman can get them to learn to do the hard yards and STFU when they don't agree with the reffing.

I agree they should drive into the key more, but the reffing these days allows so much contact that I'd call reckless or even nasty that I'd be scared to leave the ground in the key except for a dunk. (There was another thread which suggested that in the US they care a lot more about how they foul, whereas over here too many don't seem to care about how badly they could injure other players.) I still can't accept that a guy going for a layup can get taken out and sent into the spectators LEGALLY!!!

One issue I have with their offence is that it doesn't enough fast ball or player movement or space to get enough players 1on1s. We know that Prather (and Wesley and Ware and Adnam) can create baskets out of nothing, but too many others seem to need to be set up these days. Watching Unite(d) setting and using their screens so slowly is excruciating, especially when then involve Andersen.

Every game this season United has had less FT attempts than opposition and is averaging 10-15 less per game

There could be a number of different reasons why. But perhaps parr of it is needing to adjust to the way the game is being called, creating options that attack the hoop instead of settling for jumpers

Interesting stats Paul.

They need to attack the hoop more too. Only Prather and Adnam shot free throws yesterday. Casper needs to be more aggressive and drive it to the basket when the jumper isn't falling

Fun fact: LV stands for Little Vagina

LV are you not comprehending on purpose now?

The first comment was that you blame refs instead of criticising your own team for their ineptness, and now gloss it over with "40% is ok."

The other comment was you never give any other team credit except to Brisbane tonight because they have two ex-United players.

Do you not realise how ridiculous you are?

Your team sucks at the moment so blame them instead of the refs, or praising a weak side who have your ex playres or say 40% is acceptable. Unless your going for a gig with Utd I don't see why you are being soft on them by finding anything else but them to blame the losses on.

If you are going to whine on here why not cry about the team itself not anything but them. They are at fault, not anything external.

"Lovebroker, easy, run the tape..."

See LV...it's not that hard, just let the real you free. Welcome back.

"Then look at some of the fouls called on United's bigs in comparison. "

Oh...would you mind telling me at what second and minute of which quarter these things happened? I know you've already studied the tape, don't hold back now.

"It wasn't anything like the egrerious mess we witnessed in Perth last week."

Annnnd the return is complete with the Perth rant.

Correction it was only 2 weeks ago that United smashed Adelaide and everyone thought they were freaking awesome

Now they're a basketcase

That happened fast!

I haven't criticized the team? Huh? You are taking the piss, obviously? Or just not paying attention?

Do you mean, team make up or individual performances?

I can't keep up, 3 weeks ago everyone was worshipping the ground United was walking on, now United are apparently shithouse cos they lost 3 in a row - including 2 road games, one 5 point loss vs defending champs with some "interesting" reffing, and another on the buzzer.

I look forward to the next about face from the hoops experts.

Lv, pay Brisbane credit they have two starters from mulebournes minor premeriship side... ffs

Interesting form of credit. Still can't acknowledge United got beat by Perth

So LV your Utd lose three games straight but there is nothing to worry about because it's the refs or you paint the inferior opposition as being good. Which one is it?... actually don't answer that as you're delusional whatever your reasons. Funny how you never actually criticise the problem that has been constant throughout - the team itself.

United fan here. They didn't get robbed, nothing underhand at play, they just sucked. Move on LV.

Lovebroker, easy, run the tape on either of Caspers fouls. Or his turnover on the sideline running into Mitch Young's hip check. Then look at some of the fouls called on United's bigs in comparison.

Only 15 fouls on Bris?

But- bad calls are a part of the game. It wasn't anything like the egrerious mess we witnessed in Perth last week. United must learn to deal with it. Boone lost it, Goulding lost it. Too much remonstrating, not enough good basketball.

I don't see major flaws with United right now. They aren't playing well, obviously, but as has been noted from the beginning, they don't have great depth compared to most of the other teams. United does, however, have 4 stars on their roster. Problem is, only 2 of them are playing like it.

He is deflecting his team's flaws by praising the opposition, because it's never his own team's fault.

This has been observed in this subject before.

LV.

Please cut the BS and go back to studying the video to see where the refs ripped off Melbourne.

This giving of due credit for an opposition win just isn't you.

Also, I think Casper seduced many of us last season

He was clearly suited to Demopoulos system, which can be summarised as "aiiiigght! Let's shoot some threes boys. Aiggght!"

Casper thrived with the freedom to let fly

But he won't necessarily average 20+ again under a different coach.

He does need to learn to play a slightly different role with Prather alongside him.

Ok saying Te Rangi is "proven" is a stretch but he's their 10th man.

Everyone is talking about United. And some valid points made.

But give Bris some credit.

Holt and Kickert 2 key starters from United's minor premier team of 2015/16. Holt has played in Spain subsequently.

Trice is top shelf import material. Buford is an athlete who can score. Gibbo is long time Fringe Boomer who defends well and plays both guard spots.

Then add a bunch of role players who have proven themselves in the league over varying periods - all 5 years + or thereabouts in the NBL system - Jervis, Petrie, Young, Bruce and Te Rangi

Lemanis coaching.

Holt was hitting today but they had a range of contributors. If this team is a widespread pick for 6th-8th then it tells you how strong this league is.

Casey is their best player (probably), but he's going to get his numbers regardless - it's great to have a guy who can just generate points from nothing like Prather, but if Ware is attacking and finding guys it's bumping up everyone's numbers. His shot might be inconsistent, but I don't think he's actually got the ball in his hands looking to create enough in the halfcourt.

Yeah I still rate Casey as the best in the league until someone proves otherwise

No it was the refs not Utd's fault (according to LV) again.

Vickerman should look at what Brisbane did with Holt tonight in the early 1st Q and try do the same with Ware going forward. Ware is the most important guy on that Melbourne roster, and when he's engaged and making plays with either the pass or the shot that's when Melbourne are at their best.

Prather 30 points @ 57%, 6 boards and plays D. One of few who can hold his head high.

Goulding just jacks up shots and does nothing more.

Said it when Melbourne played in US and first two games that when he returns it will upset the chemistry and change the way the coach coaches. Something about him that disrupts others game. Commentators banging on about how they will be so much better with him but that removes someone that worked well with the winning team. And here we are 3 losses and looking a shadow of themselves and Goulding doing the same stuff he has done for years. Casper stepped up when Goulding sat and got his rhythm going and then of course back on with Goulding, gets a few shots and everyone mesmerised again. But fail to see what it does to the rest of the team. Predicted it and can’t believe very few can see it.. Shame as so much talent and what about Wesley getting more minutes. He has more influence and chemistry with other talent than anyone one else for the minutes he plays. Undervalued and underplayed.

To be fair the way Utd have underachieved I'd want to sub out already subbed out players on that roster too.

Demopolous tried to sub out a player who was already on the bench.

Have to cut Vickerman some slack, this is his first season as an NBL head coach...

Exactly. Demopolous may have not been that bad... as ridiculous as that sounds. Not enough workers and too many lazy players.

'Definitely something wrong at United. It seems that even after millions spent on talent and bringing in who we thought was a good coach in Vickerman, its just more of the same, and losing to bad teams like last season.

Its like Demopolous is still there..'

It has to be the overall culture, there is so much talent at United

fail to mention

LV you ignore to mention to amateurish lapses Utd went through throughout the game. Extremely worrying and you are naive not to be worried.

Why wasn't Brian Taylor commentating?

BOH OH BOY WOWEE what a finish!

Wow

Goulding & Casper ineffective and lose on the buzzer. On the road

Lol @ the haters

Still I think United's comparative talent advantage has been oversold

Brisbane is a team who no one rated. Yet Trice Holt Buford is a strong import group. And a bench featuring players like Gibson. They're deep and well coached. I like where the NBL is at

Casey again saying Wesley won a title under Lemanis in 2015. Stillnnot true.

LV looking forward to your excuses and ref analysis minute by minute. LOL

Yikes. Goulding took too long to get rid of that ball, but that was almost like the Hayward shot in the Duke-Butler final.

In contrast we were expecting exactly this from you.

Wow, wasn't expecting this

Yeah, 40% ain't bad after millions have been spent. LOL

No, it's the refs, apparently. Go ask LV.

Meh

2-3 after this first 5 fixture isn't bad at all