Hoops

Melbourne vs New Zealand 14th Oct

I'd call Pledger and Boone natural 5 men.

Smith-Milner has enough range that he could play the 4, but I'm not sure if he's quick enough in this current NBL.

Trist I haven't seen enough of yet. I was hoping he'd be a beast in the low post and replace some of what Wesley did.

Having said that, Barlow played 28 minutes to Moller's 9. I suspect it was more a matchup thing.

Moller was decent on Friday night and I'm expecting big things from him this season.

Trist has a reasonable resume behind him. I’m surprised he’s behind Smith-Milner in the rotation.

Moller at the 4 is an option worth trying, but wasn’t really an option yesterday with Kennedy out.

I suspect Vickerman was worried Moller would get manhandled by the stronger Wesley.

Sounds like that would be the case.

Wasn't it rotated the same way for the game during the Australian Open last year? Perhaps the tennis setup requires it to be orientated that way, and knowing the AO game will be a regular thing they want consistency.

Why change the orientation after 18 years?

I think I prefer the new court alignment.

The new court orientation is terrible - have been a member every year since 1993 and never complained, members seats pushed rows back from last season, poor viewing - could not see about 1/4 of court , my son could not see - had to watch it on the big screen

How does no one realise that the key isn't fully marked until AFTER the game has started?!

Amateur hour...

United just wasn't getting going offensively after qtr time. There were periods during the 3rd and 4th where defensive energy lifted and they turned it into good offense.

But, they're lacking the low post option

Last year, when things dried up there was always plan B. Just set up a play for Wesley in the low post

The whole offense looks far less potent now that Wesley has gone.

I think I prefer the new court alignment.

No Kennedy and Casper hopelessly out of touch, spells L-O-S-S. Boone lacked his usual energy too, perhaps it was soreness after Friday.

Still not sold on this United group. Barlow obviously a very different player offensively to Wesley. It's showing. Barlow was good enough today but I fear in the long run we've had an offensive downgrade.

I think so too. Championship hangover plus players are old and Felix turned their season around last season.

What a one sided league. Home teams are at theirs yet SUPER SOFT!

Richard is smooth! Very good for a budget import.

LOL NBL is an AWAY win league. All the HOME teams are duds.

Melbourne should've retained Wesley.

Wesley super pumped in the timeout.

Is LK doing everything he can not to look at the camera

Anyone else getting the shakes once their is a break in play?

Pretty sure that First Ever ad has just literally played 3 times in one minute. F*ck.

"Splinky
Today

They mentioned the court is realigned. What has changed at the venue?"



They have changed the court direction, east/west to north/south or vice versa. What was side seating is now behind the basket etc.

Smart play by Braswell.

Sees Pledger out there, goes to small ball running Delaney and Wesley and the get some easy baskets beating the United bigs up the Court.

Good fightback. Long looks good. Made some nice passes in low block. Corey needs to stay patient, maybe get to hoop/ line. Wesley going about his business and Abercrombie stepping up. Game of two quarters so far.

Honestly, looks like we have to run a set/play for Webster just to score! Geez

Ffs stop with the behind the ring freed throw camera looks terrible!

Hooley out of control there! Does that a bit when under pressure driving to the basket. Lucky to pick up the foul after banging into the defense.

Hash marks for rebounders are also there. Swan-off hash marks.

Key line*

Ahhh I see it - there is a line but not *the* free throw line (just a court gap?). How the F does this happen?

Maybe the trailing ref can sort it out on each final ft attempt???

Very weird

They mentioned the court is realigned. What has changed at the venue?

I don't think there is any marks. I think the ref has made a decision to use the lines from the floorboards where they are laid.

Did Goulding tr6 to shoot a layup around the defender’s head?

Sounds like they’ve had a committee meeting about the lines

There are markings, but hard to see against the sponsor decals.

is there no markings on keyway to designate where players can stand during free throws?

Gordon have you been living under a rock? Powder blue has been their alternate for years.

Why is Heal on every game? Whhhhyyyy :(

Actually I know why - he's bankrupt and needs the money so "commentates" max no. of games. Getting bailed out by LK. Not right on us fans though. ARGH!

Blue uniforms?

Breakers have to get the ball through some hands and MOVE on offence. If they stand around watching Corey or whoever fiddle and diddle we will be in for along night.

Kennedy out?

After the 10 point loss to Miami Amare storms into the locker room and punches a fire extinguisher case and lasserates his left hand forcing him out of game 3 and potentially the series.
I know the Knicks will probably get swept anyway ( even with Stoudamire ) but imagine if the Knicks were a chance, Stoudamire would be in deep shit.
It only takes minutes to die from a cut artery. A mate of mine slashed his wrist on a beer bottle trying to open it with a lighter ( I know he's a mess ) the Paramedics told him he had 15 minutes of blood in that artery.

Stoudamire was lucky

I'm Brett Mahers book it has a story about Andre Lafleur in a game getting ejected late in the 4th and going to the locker room alone. When the game was over both teams went back to the locker rooms and find Lafleur unconscious and in a pool of blood.
Turns out Lafleur punched the door and slashed his wrist and nearly died.
If he got ejected in the 3rd it couldve been devastating.