Tough call, this one. MU with the better coaching and teamwork but minus some key people. I'd still go for MU because of Vickerman, but it could be a tight one. Hopefully the refs take a low profile.

Ahhhh the local rivalry. If only this matchup was given a moniker that could be used at least 27 times each broadcast and podcast leading up to the game.

Yes I still believe the ball does not move enough at SEM, Melbourne outs certainly helps SEM, will it be enough. Foul trouble could decide this game. To close to call for me.

Ahhhh the local rivalry. If only this matchup was given a moniker that could be used at least 27 times each broadcast and podcast leading up to the game.

Quality game, Creek doing great, same with JLA

Vickerman never stops getting into the refs, yap, yap, yap.

JLA bets player in the comp?

Good game so far, JLA are starting to get in his groove. DJ even trying to play some semblance of defence albeit poorly. SEM should've cut Cummings earlier on, the injury to Big Sauce probably took the spotlight off of him.

United by two, if they made free throws it would be more. Creek been great, foul trouble on moller has hurt Phoenix in the hustle role. JLA, Goulding fantastic, Loe been good too.

I can't see anyone getting near United at full strength.

Excellent game

Cummins is so iso, not good defensively either. Iso is killing SEM

Do we need to interview every sports celebrity or owner that's in the building?

pathetic foul. shame job umps

Creek does not understand help out defence.

Phoenix are the Freo Dockers of the NBL.

I've said from day one, that other than moller, all their starters are so iso, it can work against the weaker teams but against a well drilled side like united, no chance. I don’t blame Kelly, it’s been that way since their start. Moller, Kenyon are trying to change it, Ayre is also trying but can go iso as well. Cummins will carve up weaker opposition but against quality sides, nope. Creek is a fantastic player though on D he struggles in team D, Cummins to the bench and start Kenyon. Maybe get fifth or sixth.

United are a well oiled machine, led by two absolute guns, Goulding and JLA, Illi defensively fantastic, Travers a great all rounder and even when out, the back ups step up. Vickerman is a master at the subs, working the refs and both offence and defence, best coach in the league at present. Add in young guns Cameron, Bowen, Hukaporti plus even Loe and Krebs. I can’t see any side getting near them.

JLA looking like the MVP

Not saying he'll win it. Like Landale, It's looking like he'll be the true MVP regardless who wins

Most influential player in the comp.... bar none. He deserves it and should win it (provided he stays healthy)

He certainly hurt sauces chances.

Cummings out, Wall in?

Wall said he's leaving on Monday.

Classic Goulding performance. JLA v Williams was a great matchup but JLA just too hard to stop on both ends. Williams did miss some easy gets inside that he'd normally finish. Thought Cameron’s game was excellent, solid on defence, pushes the ball on offence and a great stroke from the three.

Surprised SEM didn’t go to Creek more inside in the second half - no clear matchup without Travers.

Agree with the observation that JLA is the current league MVP. His game has really matured since his time in China. Coming off the bench in 2021 behind Landale for much of the season he had the "green light" to shoot but it was sometimes out of control and too many threes. His game now is much more refined, better passing, shot selection and controlled aggression. Pity he is 29 as he looks like an NBA talent now.

JLA was All-NBL first team in NBL22, really found his feet as a star then. If he continues current form (and no reason he won't) then he'll show that wasn't just a flash in the pan. Interestingly enough, there has been some NBA interest in him recently.

JLA is an absolute beast, so long, really good hands, shot, full package, he's a lot better than quite a few in the nba including some Australians.

He's improved a lot, and is smack bang in the middle of his prime years right now. With the way he plays too he should be able to keep it at this kind of level for years if he can avoid injuries.

JLA was far and away Melb's best player yesterday, destroyed Williams, yet the commentators gave the player of the game thing to Goulding. I like Goulding but he's only got to hit a few threes in a game, no matter how many he misses and they'll give it to him.

To be fair Goulding was fantastic, hit some big shots at crucial times, such a pro. I see moller got the SEM player of the game. He's a very good allrounder, my sort of player, they just play for the team.

Is JLA that much better than Thon Maker? While I would love to see JLA get the chance, Thon's NBA career never really worked out.

He's got a lot more talent than thon, both inside and outside.

If I’m recruiting coaches I’m looking at United assistant coaches, Barlow put that scout together and he got it spot on. Carter and Chance also would be ideal, Scheuler has shown at Brisbane it’s a good school to learn at under Vickerman.

$34 for MVP for JLA is a silly price at Ladbrokes and Neds

Not really he's missed too many games this season to be an MVP candidate.

Williams just couldn't stop JLA on the dribble going downhill. On the block Williams would have been much more comfortable defending. Agreed quality scout from Barlow.

Goulding hit 6 triples, a couple were outrageous and shifted momentum. On the +- he was up 14. Thought he was excellent and a worthy best player considering the attention he was getting.

Not really he's missed too many games this season to be an MVP candidate.

Big finish to the season and I reckon he can still win. Missed 5 or 6?

He's still missed too many what 7-8 games? That's like 25% of the season. He would need to absolutely destroy the league every game the rest of the way to even be a chance.

Props to him though Alan Williams has been probably the best big in the league until now and JLA handed him his arse, badly.

I actually thought Hukporti would damage his chances of MVP, but he's just playing too well to have Hukporti taking too many mins. A bit unfortunate for Hukporti who I think would be having a dominant year of his own if playing on most other teams in the league.

Hukporti's a nice defensive centre but too poor offensively. Good back up though.

Hows the MVP voting work this season?

Missed the first 5 ?

Played last 6 by my calculations

Okay fair enough he only missed the first 5 games but he probably couldn't afford to miss any more games this season to be a legit MVP chance.

Agree. Keeps playing like this and its hard to ignore

I see moller got the SEM player of the game. He's a very good allrounder, my sort of player, they just play for the team.

Hukporti was probably the #1 NBL Centre at the time JLA returned, based purely on the early part of this season. Now he's been relegated to limited minutes with JLA dominating. Am embarrassment of riches for United and they complement each other well