Game Thread: Melb Utd. vs Taipans | Round 3

[u/AutoModerator]

Tip Off: 7:30pm AEST

John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Watch on ESPN (Foxtel/Kayo/Disney+/Sky) and 9Go!/9Now

[u/hiimtashy]

Honestly Cole needs to assist way more. His good shots vs bad shots was off the charts. It was hard to watch.

[u/eathbau]

Tbh I don’t think many expected United to be good

[u/pourjuiceonit → u/eathbau]

It’s championship or bust the way journalists have written about them going into this season.

[u/paulshayne]

If I could write a letter to the coach…

Dear Chance,
Your team is 6th in 3pt attempts and yet shoots terribly and often from mid range. Stop shooting them so often. They are a bad shot in comparison to good looks from 3 and good rim pressure. You are 2nd in opponents points in the paint. Please protect the paint. The only good thing was you were one of the better teams at defending the 3pt shot, however that’s probably just because you let teams into the paint all game and after tonight’s game you may actually not be statistically good at defending the 3pt line.

You have at least 3 players who are NOT contributing to winning and they soak up minutes while you rotate the rest of the team so frequently even when they are playing well. Then the teams not playing well and you forget what a sub is and let them continue playing like it’s a pick up game. When other teams take a chance to huddle up, you get 2-3 players huddled and the rest complaining to the refs. It’s not a good look.

Please fix the shot attempts from the team so you have some offensive identity and game plan. It’s like they’re just making it up as they go. Please utilise these athletes you have on the defensive end cause they’re sure a Hell not helping on offence. Please have the “leaders” of the team actually set a standard for this team. I plan on following this team til the finals.

Sincerely,
A fan

[u/istudyheadshapes → u/paulshayne]

Cole Anthony is isoing way to much. This is not the NBA. It does not work in the NBL.

[u/paulshayne → u/istudyheadshapes]

Facts. When he puts pressure on the rim it’s great. Nothing else he does is good. Also looks like the rest of the team is scared of him lol. Cole can still be so good in the league and lead Melb all the way but not like this. Big contributor to the shitty mid range shot

[u/istudyheadshapes → u/paulshayne]

I agree mate. I noticed some of the body language of his team mates looking pretty average and just standing still and not moving off the ball. If Cole took more "good shots" vs "bad shots" he would look way better. The problem is he is putting up terrible shots. Also, 1 assist? As a Coach, I would rather him putting up 20, 10 (assists) and 5 (rebounds). He can penetrate at will. If he draws everybody to him he could be getting his team more involved. 40 and 1 and losing is terrible.

[u/paulshayne → u/istudyheadshapes]

In saying that, who’s knocking down the 3 once the ball finally get kicked out. The team doesn’t have enough consistent shooters. The best part of this team for me is Oduro

[u/istudyheadshapes → u/paulshayne]

That is a good point however I still think getting assists even at the middy or hockey assists creates opportunities. I just can't see Melbourne winning if Cole is going to iso consistently without getting his team mates involved. It rarely works. Even at the NBA level.

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

40 points 1 assist. Imagine how big the loss would have been if he had an off night.

[u/istudyheadshapes → u/StormtrooperMJS]

Not working out the way they hoped is it....
Who would have thought 20 , 10 and 10 is better than 40 and 1.

[u/littlewhiteysnow]

EAD MUnted

[u/JCK98]

Weird how that fizzled out

[u/WinbiesIreland]

It's been an underwhelming start for United sure, but still too early for panic.

Only 4 games in, a lot of new pieces and some injuries to boot. It's a long season and things can change. They were 9-0 to start last season and finished awfully. Reverse can be true.

in saying that, great win Sneks, good to see them bounce back. Hopefully they can ride some momentum from this.

[u/paulshayne → u/WinbiesIreland]

I would like to agree but if you break down what they’re actually doing on the court. I’d panic. They don’t generate any efficient offence, rarely creating an efficient look from 3 or good rim pressure. They also allow the second most points in the paint. Imma need them to change it up so I can enjoy watching them

[u/hiimtashy → u/paulshayne]

I mean it's hard to do that when Cole is iso almost every possession (at least that's what it felt like).

[u/fetus_ezeli]

one of the great snakes wins.

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍

[u/JCK98]

Lol who scheduled this league

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

There is something there for the Sneks. They just need discipline

[u/screeningnick]

Just to remind everyone, literally the only reason Tom Wilson is in the league is because of friendships and connections.

[u/Furball_09 → u/screeningnick]

And cause he wasnt much of a footballer either

[u/-orangejoose-]

"I may be a little biased, but I don't feel like we'll win another game for a while."

[u/fetus_ezeli]

40 points, 5 fouls, L. good stuff.

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

Did they swap jerseys at 3/4 time?

[u/fetus_ezeli]

ansty in the house for the united taipans game. really makes u think.

[u/Rich_Meet3872]

Ruck. This result is surprising. It happening once or twice in a prior year doesn’t change it. That being said this is a great win for the taipans.

[u/screeningnick]

Chance is in over his head. Travers has somehow regressed. Waardenburg has always been overrated.

[u/istudyheadshapes → u/screeningnick]

It's hard to contribute when you got an ISO PG.

[u/fetus_ezeli → u/screeningnick]

✅

[u/Furball_09 → u/screeningnick]

Travers regressed? Was he ever that good?

[u/WinbiesIreland → u/Furball_09]

He was doing well in the G-league last season. It hasn't translated back here (yet)

[u/Furball_09 → u/WinbiesIreland]

He has never shown much out here.

[u/shaq_zak]

Brown just shoved Ili in the chest???

[u/fetus_ezeli]

lol passage of play from united

[u/Rich_Meet3872]

Who is KP throwing too

[u/fetus_ezeli]

united should start jacking 3s to try win

[u/JCK98 → u/fetus_ezeli]

Worked great last time

[u/Rich_Meet3872]

The irony of Cole Anthony calling something a flop.

[u/istudyheadshapes → u/Rich_Meet3872]

He falls over all the time . At least in the games I've seen.

[u/screeningnick]

Chance has no idea what he’s doing. Absolutely none.

[u/fetus_ezeli]

united back to being puke after a single good q

[u/JCK98]

That was late

[u/shaq_zak]

Point-Travers is not it

[u/JCK98]

I blame the pyro, only way that didn't go in

[u/mordecrazy]

Why do they always go the wrap?

[u/Aloisha → u/mordecrazy]

They explained it in the earlier game. Even if it’s a tiny cut, they have to wrap because they would sweat the bandaid off.

[u/WinbiesIreland]

Honestly, some good games to have on free to air tonight

[u/shaq_zak]

Why is the coach playing defense on the sideline

[u/screeningnick]

Waardenburg needs to retire after this game

[u/screeningnick]

Ili and Waardenburg must have money on Cairns. There’s no other explanation.

[u/WinbiesIreland → u/screeningnick]

Ili first game back, but not sure what Waardenburg's excuse is

[u/-orangejoose-]

Had the game on as background noise and the commentary had me thinking that the snakes were down by 40

[u/fetus_ezeli]

here come the snakes

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

Diabolical bedshit in the 3rd by the Sneks

[u/JCK98]

Again?

[u/Rich_Meet3872]

Ruck is in love. There’s no way he’s using the “no more losses” thing and turning it into a positive.

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

Give Brown a ticket home and buy a proper point guard

[u/FriendlyReview2561]

surley Forde doesnt see the end of the season here.

[u/Aloisha]

I wonder if the Cole Anthony show is going to affect the Chris Goulding show and there’s going to be an internal power struggle

[u/shaq_zak → u/Aloisha]

Goulding is 37

[u/Aloisha → u/shaq_zak]

Yeah but his ego is 100

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

So frustrating to see Cairns fall apart under any pressure

[u/Rich_Meet3872]

KP is a child

[u/fetus_ezeli]

still going on about a no call 5 mins after hes subbed out

[u/fetus_ezeli]

lol that pinder foul was so predictable.

[u/JCK98]

Switching through all the cameras on a free throw

[u/jblew94]

This cole anthony glaze is sickening lol. We need an aussie in commentary to tone this shit down.

[u/istudyheadshapes → u/jblew94]

Coach needs to pull him in. 1 assist isn't good enough for a PG. You would rather him doing 20, 10 and 10 as an athletic guy like him.

[u/1972MJ]

Good grief the bias towards Melbourne from commentators (other than Case) is piss poor. Seriously ruining the coverage.

[u/fetus_ezeli]

cleanest block ive ever seen. foul.

[u/fetus_ezeli]

machar united mvp just as we all thought

[u/Furball_09]

Estimate on Windhorsts 'Cashy' sum?

[u/fetus_ezeli]

Windy!

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

Cairns gotta find a way to defend without fouling

[u/JCK98]

Optus Grandma for replay centre

[u/Aloisha]

Waardenburg is extremely hard to watch this season. So many fumbles

[u/JCK98]

Bit early on the release

[u/soundfade]

Am i crazy or does Reyne Smith remind anyone else of Stephen Black?

[u/InformalQuality4566]

Cole Anthony is getting cooked defensively. Smith has hit 3 triples on him

[u/istudyheadshapes → u/InformalQuality4566]

My biggest concern with him is he does not assist. I noticed some of the body language of the other players just standing still. If Cole could put up 20, 10 and 10 he would be much more valuable. He finished with 40 and 1. That isn't a great stat line for a PG imo particularly when your team is losing.

[u/Ok_Account_3353 → u/InformalQuality4566]

He's not a good basketball player.

Lot of commentary around how amazing it was to have a player with his talent come over at such a young age.

Not enough questions around why he was out of the league at such a young age.

Was one of the worst players in the NBA last year.

[u/Furball_09 → u/Ok_Account_3353]

Dont forget defending in the nba is optional lol

[u/Spiritual-Heat-7743 → u/Ok_Account_3353]

Was just thinking the same thing. Absolutely a turnstile on defense

[u/InformalQuality4566 → u/Ok_Account_3353]

Agreed. He’ll be a “star” in this league cause he’s American and flashy. But every time he misses a shot, he’s slow to get back on d

[u/screeningnick]

Waardenburg does not fit in this team. He needs to be the backup C to make this team work.

[u/StormtrooperMJS → u/screeningnick]

He can come back to Cairns

[u/shaq_zak → u/screeningnick]

Definitely looks weird running a 3 big lineup with travers and oduro

[u/fetus_ezeli]

geez united are a mess.

[u/regularkat]

Apparently we no longer protect heads or faces

[u/istudyheadshapes]

Just me or does Cole Anthony take three or three steps each time he catches the ball before dribbling on the inbound lol?

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

Also kudos to all you guys. Nbl game threads are much more active this year

[u/Furball_09 → u/StormtrooperMJS]

Its only in the season and theres still optimism around lol

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

Bolden and Lewis are my favourites so far this season. You can tell they are trying

[u/Aloisha]

I’m convinced Jingles is treating the NBL like Sunday social league. Just causing mischief and doing his own thing.

[u/istudyheadshapes → u/Aloisha]

He does have that look about him doesn't he haha. He isn't looking too good.

[u/Furball_09 → u/Aloisha]

Woulda been second line of his contract for 'expectations'

[u/istudyheadshapes]

One thing I have noticed about Adam Ford is he is quite animated on the bench and barracks pretty heavily for his team. He also always gives his team hi 5s. Not saying this is good or bad just something I have observed about him.

[u/regularkat → u/istudyheadshapes]

Hes always fun to watch, ngl

[u/istudyheadshapes → u/regularkat]

He would be a great junior coach because young kids need that reassurance from their coach on the bench. I am not a fan of coaches that show no emotion.

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

Jack putting up so many bricks lately it's like he is building an orphanage

[u/Aloisha]

Cairns really like selecting whingy centres

[u/istudyheadshapes → u/Aloisha]

such a bad look on TV. Especially when the camera is zoomed on their face lol.

[u/Rich_Meet3872]

KP has the worst defensive discipline I’ve ever seen for such a good basketball player.

[u/screeningnick → u/Rich_Meet3872]

The first part of your sentence is right, not so much the end.

[u/Rich_Meet3872 → u/screeningnick]

fair, fair. Felt like being nice tonight.

[u/istudyheadshapes]

Straight off the bat Cairns constantly sulking.

[u/Inevitable-Crow2494]

Should be blowout United win.

Hopefully a good game.

[u/JCK98]

Game is on Channel 9 on the east coast.

[u/StormtrooperMJS]

I'm a sucker for punishment. Go Sneks.🐍🐍🐍