Hoops

DisUnited v Taipans Feb 13

If Jawai was given 25 minutes, then Cairns would have won.
Arithmetically speaking.
Seems they didn't care whether they won or not.

I’ll ask again, what would Cairns gain from that strategy?

I don’t feel the refs were biased; what I hated was the inconsistency.

And, dare I mention it, rewarding simulations and flops (which players are STILL doing as though the refs haven’t learned anything during the season).

Jawai given only 12 minutes (16 points is a lot. In fact the teams second best scorer and the games 4th) . Melbourne caint help it if they're lucky..
Floppers rewared

Shamir might've thrown his glass of wine on the floor in disgust at those last 2 minutes, As United racked up much needed percentage

Quality win. In the box seat now.

Cairns had some unforced errors throughout the 4th. They weren't fully locked in. Still, that's what happens when one team has lots to play for and the other team has comparably much less.

Does Dwayne Russell know any other way to express a moment than 'Huge' and 'massive ' such a joke of a commentator.

Are Adelaide still a chance?

Brisbane are done.
Looks like Melbourne will slide into fourth.

Blaming the refs is a lazy response for tonight's game. Cairns were terrible. Worst they've looked since the first couple of rounds.

Now that Melbourne have taken care of Cairns at home, they have a road game to finish the season. Hopefully they dont find it too tough travelling to *checks schedule* ...Melbourne.

Talk about one sided reffing and one sided commentating. Anything to get Melbourne into the finals

Would love to play the 'LK wants United in the playoffs' game but Cairns threw that away and Melb hit some Massive (got my Dwayne on) shots at the end. Really enjoyed that game...but I wish Oliver would have thrown a punch at the end instead of just tough talking as he backed away.

It would be completely in character for United to now go out and blow it against SEM.

My favourite Russell-isms are when he has no idea what has happened after a whistle blows, even when it is blindingly obvious. Has at least 2-3 moments of this per game he calls.

but at least*

Agreed as at least with a SYD-MEL semi one will be eliminated.

I really don't like United...but I hate Sydney even more and I feel Melbourne will have a better shot against them than Brisbane or NZ so I'm not upset by this result.

Does Dwayne Russell know any other way to express a moment than 'Huge' and 'massive ' such a joke of a commentator.

Yeah, Cairns killed themselves tonight. Melbourne shot the ball well, but just so many turnovers and sloppy defensive possessions for Cairns.

Cairns shiting there pants down the stretch, Oliver fired up to late.

Taipans shooting themselves in the foot too often

There's a home cooking feast over in Melbourne tonight.

All 50-50 calls helping Melbourne. Long is not in the top few 5 men in the league, homicide no idea.

Jawai looking very good.....subbed out, of course.....

Good game, hopefully the refs don’t decide it. Cairns missing to many free throws.

Come on, refs. Let United win because they’re the better team, not because you gave them a bit of help.

Some real inconsistency in the calling tonight. What IS consistent, however, is rewarding the flop, and allowing United defenders to foul the layup harder than Cairns are allowed to.

Both sides looking nervous, Jawai and Barlow turning back the clock.

This is some ... uncharacteristically sloppy defense from Cairns. They are scrambling everywhere, and leaving guys wide open. Maybe they have given up on the #2 seed.

Cairns looking slightly lethargic.

Long vs Oliver. #seeincredible

The Wildcats rested players in their final game of the season last year so its not inevitable that it will result in anything, but i still dont get what this supposed strategy is.

Casper has destroyed United this year and Sydney's dominated the last 3 contests

Sydney will beat United convincingly IMO- as long as Bogut's on the court and at least 75% fit.

If United make it, is anyone giving them a chance to beat Sydney? I'll think they will win tonight and Sunday and a real chance of knocking of Sydney.

Casper has beaten united, if he doesn't light up I'll give united every chance.

If 76ers don’t reach conference finals, I can see Brett Brown being moved out. I’m not sure if he’d settle for an assistant role after being HC for so long.

If DisUnited lose and miss the finals, I can see Dean Vickerman being moved out. Same comment.


What are the chances that Brett Brown will step into that United coaching spot? Would it be a good thing for the team, or for the league?

Thoughts?

Should THEY think strategically? Manage their starters against MU, then look to punish Brisbane?

What benefit does that strategy give Cairns?

Trimble back in Cairns next year with Long as Machado & Oliver in the NBA!
Mike Kelly will make it work!!

Agreed. Defence has been the major issue all year. People talk about lli as an elite on-ball defender and while he seems to put the effort in I’ve been pretty underwhelmed with his game. Silly turnovers and fouls, holds onto the ball too long and gets beaten regularly by the opposing point. Not sure how NZ thought he could be a starter a few years back.

It’s more the long disruptive SF import that would be helpful

Perhaps there’s a train of thought to not overreact, make a few smaller tweaks and keep Melo, Long.

There’s an element of injury woes to Prather, lack of chemistry, lack of confidence.

IMO sign a defensive import, and even a defensive backup guard (legitimately could look at Kevin White type and find a use)

If Melbourne can be more disruptive in defensive, and get a few stops it helps them to push the ball more and find that run and gun offence that will help Melo and Goulding get those offensive opportunities. Transition offence is where those two would work well together.

Small tweak to get those key D guys in and playing style might give the right opportunities to get the confidence and groove back to the likes of Melo

Clubs don’t have to tell players anything till season end, no way Trimble been told anything.

In my opinion, if they added a Cam Bairstow to the lineup next season and move Trimble on for a quality combo 3 (not Prather) they would be much better.

The Trimble recruitment just hasn’t worked. Bringing him off the bench I think (despite the form turnaround) probably demonstrates where he’s at regarding 2021 onwards. From the outside it hasn’t clicked with Goulding or McCarron. I’d persist with Long, he just needs a really solid PF to be most effective as i think he gets frustrated with constant body contact and being the only rebounder.

United by 6 and they will keep their finals hopes alive

United can still crack fourth, but they need to win both games and hold %

I'm going against popular opinion, Melbourne at home by 5.

Everyone is saying that Adelaide is going through the motions, but imagine an Adelaide v Melbourne game

If we remember back to last season Cairns lead United going into the last quarter a couple of times so they aren't scared of United and long may that continue.

I'd love to see more of the bench guys from Cairns get a go, Anthony Fisher showed good signs during the blitz and then literally nothing all season and any more rust that can come off Noi will be priceless coming into playoffs.

What will Trimble and McCarron do against their old side?

I'm gonna predict Cairns by 10 as DisUnited crash and burn after half time

Soy references deliver yet again.

This game is uuuge

Melbourne's Herald Sun reports today that Andre Lemanjis has been interviewed for the boomers Job.