JMS
Years ago

Melbourne United roster

Apologies if already covered elsewhere, however I'd be interested to hear thoughts on the roster and balance of this lineup.

With Goulding out vs the Kings you would imagine Vickerman would have turned to Agada to be the key wing target. Instead it was the 36 year old Newley. To me this indicates a lack of confidence in Agada. Looks a solid bench style budget import, nice on defence but not overly long, versatile or with scoring power.

The offensive mix of this team just seems out, great defence (especially with White to return mid-season) however they really need a Brandon Paul style of 3, as the offence has much too much reliance on Goulding.

Hukporti and Okwera look like they have huge careers ahead, but can’t carry this team.

JLA / Hukporti
Peatling / Barlow / White (inj)
Newley / Agada / Okwera
Goulding / Prewster
Delay / Ili

Very strange roster construction in my opinion.


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Anonymous  
Years ago

Dellavedova - Ili - Hickey(dp)
Goulding - Import g/f - Triplett(dp)
Agada - Newley - Prewster
White - Peatling - Barlow
Acuil - Hukporti(ns) - Okwera(dp)


Cut Dalton, bring sg/sf import

Reply #878472 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

There tanking this year after going all out(overspending) last year to win the comp.

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Zodiac  
Years ago

United are certainly taking this season off after going all out last season. I would be surprised if their roster this season is on even half what last season's roster was.

With Vickerman there they're probably still a chance to make the playoffs but unlikely unless they make a few serious changes during the season.

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Anon  
Years ago

White is Day to Day at the moment. I've read that he has a fitness test.
This will be a huge in.
Melbourne will fight Perth for 4th, and if Perth don't play at home in the 2nd half of the season they will be in trouble

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LV  
Years ago

Agreed it appears Agada's not the best fit. But I haven't seen enough yet, so I'll withhold judgment for now.

It's clear United's put the chequebook away, signing old guys who weren't wanted elsewhere in Newley and Prewster.

United's #1 imports have always been NBL superstars they poached from other teams (Long, Trimble, Prather, Hopson) or guys with seriously impressive international resumes (Ware, Kennedy). Agada has neither. He had a good year last year in Israel, but has spent the majority of his career in the Spanish 2nd division.

The interesting thing will be how long United persists with the budget roster (not necessarily budget by NBL standards, just budget by United standards). If they fall into a poor early record and Agada's struggling, will they pull the pin and bring in a more reputable replacement? I suspect they will but time will tell.

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LV  
Years ago

Or, might they bring in a short term replacement for 6 weeks while White recovers? Another option.

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Bullets  
Years ago

Really surprised they signed Dalton to the full roster.
He contributed zero in Brisbane and is getting less minutes than a DP (Okwera) in the front court. Will be surprised if he lasts the full season.

If they release him and Agada, potentially two spots up for grabs

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Zodiac  
Years ago

They also cheaped out on signing an injury replacement for Jack White too.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

This roster even with CG is terrible!!! If they don't open up and spend some of that ESPN money Larry has coming in they might finished wooden spoon hahahha

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Anonymous  
Years ago

They are fine Salinger as they replace Dalton with import.
Agada will be ok too.

Reply #878484 | Report this post


proud  
Years ago

This roster has always felt like it was created to turn JLA into a superstar (and perhaps is getting paid accordingly) as he has everything at his disposal to show how great he could be but it's bloody risky to rely on a spark off the bench to carry a team... I think they are taking their fan base for granted as this squad and their (potential) roster rebuild mindset is disgusting and yeah I'd be more excited as a Taipans fan as Tahjere looks exciting than United right now.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

Not sure if it was planned for JLA to be the focus from the start or if he went rogue and forced a lot of bad shots. As mentioned, big shoes to replace in Landale and was a very different look for them last year in terms of matchups. Might settle down, but looks to be better coming off bench or being told he doesn't need to shoot every time he catches it.
Newley starting last week caught most off guard, maybe because against old team, maybe they wanted a veteran out there with depleted lineup.
But if you put Goulding in, imports work out league, they still stack up better than half the league so should be in 4-5 spot.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

Maybe they spent too much on Delly & Goulding band have nothing left?

Reply #878490 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Dalton is getting more minutes i Melbourne than he ever did in Brisbane and the kid can play!

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ME (he/kangaroo)  
Years ago

The problem is actually Delly, as sad as it is to say. They would have thrown an absolute bag at him but they're not necessarily going to get output that warrants the price. Is Delly better than any of the import point guards this season? I'd guess not. He's a name, and that will bring crowd interest, but if he doesn't provide anything tangible that name will grow old super quick.

And because they spent on Delly the rest of the roster is pretty poor. Agada as the only import? Why? This team is going to rely too much on Goulding to be a real contender and without some roster changes they wont be going back-to-back.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

dellys on 700,000 plus and goulding 400,000 is my guess

Reply #878503 | Report this post


Hoopie  
Years ago

I'm confident that Delly will be a great asset under pressure and in the finals, and will bring more fan interest. However, what worries me from what I’ve seen so far is that too much goes through Delly already. If United took advantage of his abilities without depending on them, I’d be happier. There are a number of guys on the roster who can dribble and run, so why aren’t United going for more of a fast transition approach instead of some of the plodding half-court offense that just wasn’t needed when there were better options?

As for JLA being a focus of the team and a possible NBA prospect, tell them they’re dreaming. He doesn’t have the physical control and coordination needed to be either of those. Close to the basket and unguarded out on the 3-point line, he’ll hurt other teams; I still think his weakness is when he has to put the ball to the floor to create something.

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Zodiac  
Years ago

And because they spent on Delly the rest of the roster is pretty poor.


Delly rumour is $700K a year, Landale was said to be $800K last season.

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Anon  
Years ago

White back in round 3

Reply #878506 | Report this post


Luuuc  
Years ago

Delly rumour is $700K a year

Not sure I believe it. Surely Delly's contract would be in Bitcoin, not $

Reply #878509 | Report this post


NBL FAN  
Years ago

delly is 1m or more

Reply #878510 | Report this post


Zodiac  
Years ago

Unlikely, he got a 3 year deal from them with NBA out clauses each year and at the time he signed with them all the talk was the deal was for $700K per year.

Reply #878511 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Seems like a massive overpay for his output. I wonder if Melbourne were outbidding anyone for his services? If so, whom?

Reply #878512 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

He said he would only play for a Melbourne team. SEM can't compete with that sort of coin for one player

Reply #878513 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

You'd think with the cash in his account he'd not cost that much. No NBA team would want him now and probably no high level Euro either. Expected his decision was to come home while he had a bit of tread left on the tyres and add to his Australian basketball legacy. He played all those years in the NBA because of his competitiveness, hustle and doing the hard work. Still needed to be a high quality player, but he'd be a perfect backcourt mate with a scorer like CG, MU seem totally scrambled ATM. But when CG, White and Barlow return it should go a long way to evening things out. Even though it does look like they are relying heavily on JLA to take next step and be a heavy minutes scorer. But last season he was effective because he would come in and give a different look to Landale and scouting wise would be down the list. But so far it looks like he doesn't have a go to move and is just forcing things.
But I can see an import coming in just before midseason if they are around mark.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

Melbourne United won't make finals with this roster as constructed simple as that we can check back on this when that time approaches. If they have not spent more by then they won’t see a finals game this season. Delly is in fact not better then any PG in the NBL maybe Silva he’s played like crap in NZ but besides that no he’s not that good more a NBL level talent at this stage of his career or a serviceable back up making Bitcoin money hahahahah. That’s the one issue I have with so many bandwagon fans the name isn’t enough they need more talent then this.

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AngusH  
Years ago

With JLA I think he was the best backup big in the league, but is only mediocre as a starter. Nice touch and good spot up big, but best used as a boost off the bench for 15-20 mins a night with instructions to shoot at will while he's on the court, rather than a guy you want dominating the offense for 30 mins a game.

United have talent to win games. Delly had some moments when he started attacking the basket in the 2nd half vs Sydney and that really has to be his game - he should never look to shoot an open 3 again unless the shot clock is about to sound. Agada I think will be better but is more of a solid #2 import, and United look like they still need a #1 import type talent to go next to him.

With how strong Perth/Hawks/Sydney/Phoenix look ... it's definitely hard to slot United in there as a serious top 4 contender unless a lot goes right for them.

Reply #878522 | Report this post


Perthworld  
Years ago

That's the one issue I have with so many bandwagon fans the name isn’t enough they need more talent then this.

I've read on other general sports forums users claim Delly will dominate the NBL.

Reply #878523 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

He will dominate it in a similar way that Damian Martin dominated it.

Reply #878524 | Report this post


Perthworld  
Years ago

Yeah but these casuals think because Delly was in the NBA he's some type of offensive star coming back down to the NBL level. Facepalm.

Reply #878526 | Report this post


LV  
Years ago

I find it very hard to believe they're paying Delly 700k

He's simply not worth that much, and United's owners aren't casual sports fans who flick across NBA highlights with a beer in hand. They're actually putting together an NBL roster.

Reply #878528 | Report this post


Old Mate  
Years ago

No shit he's not worth $700k!
United fans should wish it’s only that much, I’ve heard the 1 million dollar mark mentioned as well by people who should know.

Reply #878530 | Report this post


LV  
Years ago

A lot of people said Bogut was on 1mil too

They forgot to mention it was 1mil over 2 years. 500k per year.

I hope they're not even paying Delly that much.

Reply #878531 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Delly is no Damo MR Martin made a huge impact in the league and he impacted winning with his defence timely shooting and his presence in the locker room. Comparing a dude who really in my opinion was never that good to a one of a kind defensive specialist is offensive to say the least. Honestly Delly would struggle and NBL 1 level those PGs would give hime problems he's on old legs and his game has never been sexy in the least bit he’s not like the other Aussies who have played or playing in the NBA. He played with Lebron and history shows us that Bron makes players look better then they are "Booby Gibson" comes to mind. What does Delly do at a high level? His handle is basic he’s easy to defend his jumper is below average, and all that talk of defence the Kings Pg lit his ass up easy money. Damo is want having that he shut down imports and made it tough on everyone he faced. There was talk of best back court in the league and I’d take Shay over Delly as my starter he defend at a high level has improved his shooting and decision making and has proved he can win in the NBL. You could spread the money Delly is on between (2) more solid players on import and one local. United won’t make finals this year unless they changed this roster.

Reply #878570 | Report this post


Cram  
Years ago

"I'm confident that Delly will be a great asset under pressure and in the finals, and will bring more fan interest"

Even I might buy a ticket to watch Delly play.

"Delly is no Damo...."
"Honestly Delly would struggle and NBL 1..."

Clown

Reply #878572 | Report this post


Musk  
Years ago

Whilst I think delly too has dropped off, is it not possible that we're overreacting as it’s only been one game and they don’t even have Goulding?

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LV  
Years ago

They're in the mix, absolutely

They played Sydney in Sydney- championship favourite, without CG, White or Barlow, and Ili missed a chance to tie the game with under 10 seconds left. In isolation that's a fairly good result!

Defensively they look tough as nails. They'll compete every night.

I think United fans have high expectations, after 4 straight years going very close to the title (2 titles, 1 runner up, 1 Game 3 semi final loss by 2 points after being absolutely destroyed by refs)

Right now, with this roster Perth, SEM and Illawarra all look better than us. Sydney potentially too (based on talent assembled, not their first game).

Hence why these early discussions are of interest to people.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

Delly sucks now and will suck as the season goes on Damo has a trophy named after him and earned his keep in the NBL Delly is washed he may have a the occasional game or two but overall this roster with him as the lead is terrible Cram E A D hahahahh

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RobT  
Years ago

In Delly's defence...
[not an MU fan but Delly does have a BRONZE on our behalf. I'll stick up for him for now. And, I don't have to pay him!]

1st real game of NBL. Doesn't know his players/coach yet. It took Broekhoff half a season to get going. Magnay, too.

CG's absence. With the lack of any other MU shooter hitting the mark, and threatening Sydney's D, Delly and JAL were seen as the only possible threats and both were well contained. CG's return should change that.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

Wow, Sydney are title favourite. That's interesting.

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LV  
Years ago

Equal favourite at $4

2 teams are $4 and 2 are $4.50 (United is $8.50 and $9 with Sportsbet and TAB), so there's no clear favourite as such

But when you delve into the detailed betting with TAB, eg least likely to miss top 4, minor prem etc, that broad overview shows they're the leader of the 4 with the bonus

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LV  
Years ago

With the bookies *

Reply #878612 | Report this post


LV  
Years ago

Drewy says Delly is highest paid in NBL.

Guess I was wrong on this one.

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