Hoops

United reportedly sign D.J. Kennedy, finalise roster

Kennedy confirmed.

Barlow and Moller will be very hard to guard in the 4 by slower fours. Hope Moller gets good time in the 3 as it is a positive for Melbourne with his length and ability to get to the basket.
Kennedy played at a lot clubs quite often not staying to the end.

McCarron wants to play point guard, learn from Casper this season take over next season. Vickerman said the games are closer together this season so wants to rotate more players and keep there minutes down to be fresher.

It's surprising they tied so much cash up in Goulding and McCarron at the same position

Yeah 'triggered' is exactly the word for it.

Step through your logic tho, LoveBroker

Trigger words for dick head: Cairns, orange, snakes...dark clouds.

McCarron left the Taipans saying he's going to Europe for the 'opportunity'. So he's signed with Melbourne to play fewer minutes and have less room to grow. Nice

That is an indictment on the Cairns Taipans more than it is on McCarron.

There's the dick head we all loathe. Carn Lovey, give us a rant about how immigration is ruining this proud white land...

Oops wrong thread...although I guess it's relevant here too.

Everybody's so high on United and, I hate to say this since I'm the resident United fan here and everything....but- United hardly has a better roster than last year.

Majok had a poor year last year but was injured at times and under utilised. His first 2 seasons proved that he's a quality backup big. I don't see Pledger as much of an upgrade at all.

Then you have Trist and Smith Milner IN...Tai Wesley and David Andersen out.

Plus, Boone is turning 34 in November and Barlow's 35 next month.

So- United's frontcourt has downgraded.

Wesley is a major loss- unless Trist is better than everyone seems to think.

It's good that more expensive talent comes in, so long as the poorer clubs see the taxes to help recruit themselves.

McCarron left the Taipans saying he's going to Europe for the 'opportunity'. So he's signed with Melbourne to play fewer minutes and have less room to grow. Nice

Can’t see Trist starting ahead of Barlow in the four or even Moller on seabl form. Trist played all five against the kings last week. Kennedy is the import but he’ll have to be on his game as McCarron and Moller will be looking to start. Mollers length on defence will keep him in the frame and averaged just under 24 points a game in seabl playing the four in championship team. McCarron will be looking to get time in the one and two as well.
Melbourne have put a very good squad together and the coach no’s what he’s doing. Sydney, Perth, also looking great, can’t wait for the action.

A few relevant points:

- The majority of teams have upgraded their rosters. Adelaide is the only team whose roster is a significant downgrade on last season.

- United’s import trio does look to be the best in the comp, but it needs to be, because United’s local contingent is just average. There’s several teams whose locals are clearly superior to United’s, and most teams locals are at least comparable.

- United would’ve spent no more than last year. If anything, they would’ve spent less. Assume Kennedy/Prather are like for like. Wesley, Andersen, Majok, Adnam vs McCarron, Trist, Pledger and Smith-Milner in.

- United’s bench includes:

Smith-Milner, an upgraded DP.

Hooley, a SEABL guy who was used sparingly in his rookie NBL season last year.

Moller, who showed flashes last year and then followed up with a strong SEABL season, but is yet to consistently prove himself as an NBL player.

Barlow, who’ll be 35 next month.

"teams must be doing ok because they're spending a lot"

Some rock solid logic there

People seem to get offended when teams bring more talent to the league. Let's face it, teams must be doing okay because almost everyone has recruits this year that they wouldn't have afforded in previous years. Cairns even has a draft pick ffs. And the standard of the league is such that United and Sydney aren't going to sleepwalk to the finals. It's not a fate accompli.

Boone/Pledger/Smith-Milner
Trist/Barlow
Kennedy/Moller
Goulding/McCarron
Ware/Hooley

Rough guess at minute spread

Boone 27/Pledger 10/Smith Milner 3
Trist 20/Barlow 15/Moller 5
Kennedy 25/Moller 10/McCarron 5
Goulding 30/McCarron 10
Ware 30/McCarron 7/Hooley 3

Ware, Goulding 30
Boone 27
Kennedy 25
McCarron 22
Trist 20
Moller 15
Barlow 15
Pledger 10
Hooley, Smith-Milner 3

Having said that, I'm not sure how good Trist is- could Moller start at 4 instead? Or Barlow? Trist is more like for like game style with Wesley and enjoys posting up so he would make sense as starting 4.

his shit

Well I stuffed that up....

So how is the no salary cap working. Never seen any press about the other clubs getting something from the "soft cap" rule.

So how is the no salary cap working. Never seen any press about the other clubs getting something from the "soft cap" rule.

his shit

Most clubs have a stud import, a decent import, and a budget import. Boone, Ware, Kennedy... who's their budget import? Or should we say how can the less financial teams compete?

Maybe the Hawks and Taipans will spend more when they receive the equalization tax, with the payroll of the Melbournes and Sydneys of the world this year I hope the little guys will get their compensation.

Only downside is, this gives United a roster with 2 traditional 5 men, and 3 of the 4 guys who'll be playing forward are below average 3 point shooters.

But I doubt this worries Vickerman- neither of his NBL championship teams have been particularly great outside shooting teams

I like it.

Kennedy attacks the hoop and scores from the paint and mid range. And appears a good passer too.

Should give United a complementary mix alongside the others in the 1-3 spots.

Very nice pickup, I’m expecting him to be one of the top imports in the league. United going to be pretty tough to keep away from a repeating.

Is there under 14 ti camps and if slo when ?