Hoops

United's NBLxNBA capitulation overreaction

Why didn't locker room favourite Felix return?

You can be confident that Ware and CG will play 30 minutes each. Kennedy or whoever his replacement is (if he doesn't work out) will play the Lion's share of the minutes at small forward.

So this leaves McCarron being a utility.

How was McCarron's pre-season? I only checked stats in one game and it was pretty weak off the bench. Any chance Vickerman grabbed him and now isn't sure what to do with him?

Where is Felix playing this season? Someone said he retired but he's only 28.

Haven't seen much of United yet. But obviously, Wesley is a huge loss and if Kennedy isn't a stud then yes, United will struggle to repeat.

On this game, Toroto outscored United 52-38 in the paint and 28-18 from the line. Toronto shot well from outside.

Boone played limited minutes compared to what he will in the regular season (half the game- just under 24 mins in a 48 minute game), while McDaniel (11) and Smith-Milner (15) got lengthy stints on court.

So with Boone limited and Kennedy out, United was bound to have a tough time of it.

Yes, Kawhi, Lowry and others were out, but Ibaka, Valanciunus, Danny Green, Greg Monroe- those are seasoned NBA players while Siakam, Wright, Powell, are no slouches.

I think most people agree United appear likely for top 4- alongside Sydney, Perth and maybe NZ. But anything can happen- it's a competitive comp, and if anything goes wrong then United will be right back with the pack.

And by anything goes wrong, I mean: Boone struggles to recapture last season's form (he's 34 next month, looked proppy and sore at times last season but always played through it, just did a hammy), Kennedy isn't as good as billed, any of Ware/CG/McCarron get injured (Suddenly United's backcourt would look very thin with Hooley essentially the only guard off the bench), the chemistry just doesn't work with any of McCarron, Kennedy struggling to find their fit next to Ware and CG who take plenty of shots

etc etc etc

It's going to be an exciting season. Sit back and enjoy it. I expect United to be very good but there's so many variables and plenty of talented teams ready to take down the reigning champs. NBL 2018-19. Bring. It. On!

You forgot to mention that Toronto were missing all their stars.

That's some good insights from Anonymous! Moller is a far better NBL 4 than 3 & would have the speed to cause a few 4s havoc through that middle third. Let McCarron & DJ (or replacement Felix-like import) play the 3. Veterans Barlow backs up the 4, or anywhere as he's a legend! Boone & Pledger your main men at the 5.

But ultimately their O has to improve & not just be about getting Ware & CG43 the ball... ALL the other players need to be given a bit of a licence to attack!

On positive had been Pledger.. he's been huge & real strong on the pick & roll.

They need to get rid of DJ Kennedy pretty quickly anything I've seen of him in games he's looked out of his league and United could do worse than try and coax Carrick Felix out of retirement.

Ware will be the first import gone after his performance yesterday

It wasn't a great performance BUT United WILL start the season as favourites. Very good and balanced team. I have finishing on top at the end of the regular season

Perth were playing against a far better team, in their first ever NBLxNBA game, straight off the plane.

Melbourne were playing in their third game, having already had one under their belt on this trip (which was similarly lopsided).

Not that "but Perth!" is a particularly good argument anyway.

No ball movement and shit offense!

Goulding and Ware will prove once again they are hard to play with, both gotta get theirs. McCarron like Blanchfield better suited to a Fearne/Bevo style system.

Anyone worried that McCarron could be another Blanchfield at United signed for big money but may not have a role to showcase his full capabilities.

It was that embarrassing that the NBL twitter just stopped posting about the game.

No Lowry, Leonard, Miles, OG and Van Fleet and Melb getting blown out by 40?!? Yeh that's a way worse result than the Perth one.

Score?

Considering there is no lowry or khawai, then yeah it's surprising how little attention their performance its getting.

*yawn* Spot the Perth troll.

On a more sombre note to start, I hope that everyone has time to reflect on ANZAC Day to spare a thought for those who have been prepared to stand up for our country. On a more positive note, we all know it rains on ANZAC day so hopefully there are plenty of mops of hand and not a lone pine gets wet.

Eagles-Bearcats @ Wayville
Women: Eagles stroll into this arm wrestle with a perfect scoresheet and the Bearcats are finally troubling the scorers after they out rebounded the Panthers. Thompson has been on fire for the Feagles but the Bearcat’s inaccuracy has cost them games. With a home court advantage and great refs, Forestville and wins go together like ANZAC day and two up. “Come in Spinner!”
Men: Well what can I say. Give the Eagles a compliment and a glass of Pinot Noir, and they spill it on their white shirt. Well done to the Warriors for knocking them off. The ‘Cats marred their own record after South, err South ?, crushed them by 14. 3 from 28 at the arc is not going to win many games. So if West beat Woodville by 7 and Woodville beat Eagles by 1, then West should win by 8? With both teams hurting it should be bone crunching affair with the gallant Feagles storming the beaches of Wayville under heavy fire to record a win.