Hoops

Casey Prather to sign with Melbourne United

As Mike D'Antoni once said in game of zones 'Half the defence, double the offense'

What might the starting 5 be?

If we look at last year, CG as 6th man worked wonders. McCarron was 2nd in the league for +/- and, like last year, will be a better fit alongside the starting PG and SF- presumably Melo and Prather, replacing Casper and Kennedy.

Long*/Pledger/Smith-Milner
Barlow
Prather*
McCarron/Goulding/McDaniel
Trimble*/Ili

One local signing remaining. Venky Jois? Or someone cheaper?

Not much depth at the 4. I see Smith-Milner and Long as predominantly 5's, but perhaps they'll see time at the 4.

I'll be interested seeing if they ever play stretches with all the stars- Long/Prather/McCarron/Goulding/Trimble.

No, people just really need to stop with the "oh you can easily get 5 players for under $500k" and then sprouting a bunch of random numbers that add up to less than $500k. What exactly does that prove? That you know how to count to 5?

Obviously it's achievable, be a bit stupid if it wasn't!?
But it is designed to be an imposition, and clearly some thought went into the number. Thought by those that actually KNOW what players get.
Contrary to what some seem to think, not every bench player is prepared to play for the league minimum. Especially not when other clubs will offer more.

And clearly it works, as evidenced by some of the scrubbers who get signed, including imports, and by some of the restrictions it has clearly imposed.
Last season the Cats went with 2 imports, because any 3rd import would have had to be a bargain-basement guy.

Also keep in mind that McDaniel was rumoured to have been offered a generous 2nd year, to get him as a DP last year.
Ili was getting over 20 minutes a game last season, so he hasn't given that up for peanuts.

Point is that MU would struggle to Get Barlow, Pledge, McD, Ili, (and TSM) under the Cap.
Not saying its impossible (because I don't know what they get paid either) but looking at the historical impact on clubs, it would seem unlikely.
And hence it would at least suggest that their last local will be of the cheaper variety. Wait and see I guess.

I'd love to know where people on this forum get their salary numbers from

Was Kennedy actually on $700k last season, or is this one of those "$400Kay" bits of speculation? If so, that's insane.

Kennedy was on more than Casper Ware, let that sink in.

Was Kennedy actually on $700k last season, or is this one of those "$400Kay" bits of speculation? If so, that's insane.

Kenyon Martin Jr would be a nice backup

no way that is a cheap contract

Here's the squad at the moment as I see it.

I think Long will definitely see some time at the 4 especially if Barlow gets injured.

*Trimble/ Illi / Sam McDaniel
Goulding / McCarron
*Prather / Local
Barlow / Smith-Milner
*Long / Pledger

no way that is a cheap contract

Officially signed. Interesting to see that it's a two year deal.

DJ Kennedy was on really big coin last season so Prather would be coming much cheaper especially after missing the last 12 months due to injury.

Wow.

A bit of an unusual signing. They were talking about recruiting someone who could play low post. Long can play post, but I was expecting a versatile 3 man as well, instead of Prather who’s a ball dominant 3.

With the current roster, I reckon DJ Kennedy would be a better fit than Prather.

However, you might find they got Prather on the cheap- or relatively cheap. If he hasn’t played in over 12 months and has decided he likes Australia more than cold, foreign Europe, then it’s possible he’s playing for less than we think.

The smaller clubs might as well shut up shop. Melb, Perth, Syd & Bris are the top 4.

It's like an offseason in 2k, just go and get all the players from other trans you like. They will no doubt be favorites, however i do wonder how that team will go in a series, especially on defence. My concern is it won't matter...

Wow Shea Ili must be playing for peanuts because no way are they under the bench cap.

I think United will play Long at the 4 for stretches which will help him play his natural NBA position because there is no doubt that United get scouts watching them this season.

Serious question, could they win an NBA game? I say that not to be cheeky but because our teams have far outdone our expectations of what will happen vs NBA competition and they look every bit as stacked as any team we have sent over.

They may score enough points that it doesn't matter, but Melo was attrocious defensively and Long not much better. Barlow a year older and probably a step or two slower, going to be a heavy reliance on Prather and Mitch on D.

Will be cherry ripe by the playoffs. That roster is insanely good.

He hasn't played since June 9, 2018. He could be rusty

https://twitter.com/heraldsunsport/status/1151069748714545152

Nick Kay will eat him for breakfast if he has to close games at the 4 bruv

I suspect Prather closes games at the 4 in a spread-out offense, how many teams would have a closing 4 that Prather couldn't handle in stretches?

That lineup is insanely stacked. Way better on paper imo than what the Kings had preseason last year.

Cats really need a gun inport and probably a next star to compete with some of the rosters put together this offseason.

A bit jealous, but nice to see him back in the league.

Kinda weird that all their imports have come from other NBL teams. Definitely a very strong trio.

But yes, massive whole at the 4 spot. Although still got roster spots to fill, so wait and see.

https://sportando.basketball/en/casey-prather-returning-to-melbourne-united/

Wow...Melo, Prather and Long.

Is there a better import trio in the history of the NBL? The next best was probably Ware, Prather and Boone (younger version).

With these 3 they can forget about the post play requirement, it's lob city.

Barlow & Bairstow to tag team in the 4?

As it's getting hard to find decent NBL stat data these days (including the official league site), I've decided to build my own. A column that may be of interest for stats nerds

http://www.36reasons.net/2012/10/blog-post.html

A stats page to come to the site soon

Of note.................

Player with best +/-: Mitch Creek (+21)
Best lineup +/-: Crosswell/Gibson/Creek/Petrie/Johnson (+15, 5.1 minutes together)