IN THE early stages of NBL26, Melbourne United started their season 9-0 and looked to easily be the title favourites. In their tenth game of the season, their streak was ended by the Sydney Kings after a dominant 34-point performance by Kendric Davis, and since then, they have produced a questionable record of 6-9, and are currently on a three-game losing streak.
Since the midseason break, their offence and defence have noticeably gotten worse, with the latter partly due to the loss of Shea Ili, who hasn’t played since mid-December and is predicted to be back for round 19. Offensively, they have just not been able to score the ball as efficiently as they used to. Inconsistent play from top scorer Milton Doyle has been unreliable to say the least, shooting in the low thirties from the field since the start of December.
To put into perspective where they rank amongst the top teams as of now, they have not won a game against a top-three team since beating SEM Phoenix 92-81 in November. Since then, they are 0-4 against the top three, which will not look good going into the finals.
United have shown that at their best, they are arguably the best in the league. With such a talented roster offensively and defensively, if their confidence and morale are boosted to how they were at the beginning of the season, along with the return of 2x DPOY Ili, they will be on the hunt for that championship trophy, but if they have their eyes set on that, then their play will need to improve.
The Adelaide 36ers have firmed as the championship favourites, while all six teams currently in the play-in staking their own claim for the title of late. United was once head and shoulders above the competition, but will need to drag themselves out of their slump given how tight the state of play is heading into the pointy end of the season.
Slowly moving lower and lower on the league table, they still will maintain their spot in the finals series, but unless they want to be sent home early, they will need to find their form before it is too late.
Craig returns to NBL as veteran signs with Kings
FORMER Cairns Taipan and Brisbane Bullet Torrey Craig has reached an agreement to return to the NBL to play under Brian Goorjian for the Sydney Kings. The 35-year-old wing made an almost ten-year career in the NBA off pure grit and grind play, diving for every loose ball, being a versatile defender, and being a […]
United at crossroads amid form slump
IN THE early stages of NBL26, Melbourne United started their season 9-0 and looked to easily be the title favourites. In their tenth game of the season, their streak was ended by the Sydney Kings after a dominant 34-point performance by Kendric Davis, and since then, they have produced a questionable record of 6-9, and […]
Adelaide Replaces Brown Jr. With Veteran Guard
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Cairns Holds Off Brisbane in Sunshine Stoush
IN A tense National Basketball League (NBL) encounter between the bottom two teams in the competition, Cairns Taipans were able to get the best of Brisbane Bullets in a five-point victory. Brisbane has had it rough this season, as of now having the most injuries in the entire league, with six sidelined players. Going into […]
Breakers beat Hawks to keep finals hopes alive
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JackJumpers Outlast 36ers In Gritty Road Win
THE TASMANIA JackJumpers have secured their second consecutive win with an eight-point victory against first-place Adelaide 36ers, 80-72. Interestingly enough, the 36ers outscored the JackJumpers in every quarter other than the second, which was ultimately their downfall, scoring 11 compared to the JackJumpers 27. While the 36ers tried to keep up, the JackJumpers stayed calm […]
All Hail The Kings: Sydney Crush Breakers by 40
IN A true testament to how one quarter changes a game in the National Basketball League (NBL), the Sydney Kings dismantled the New Zealand Breakers with a 41-point margin, 103-62. The first quarter of play was quite standard, scoring coming from both sides, and the game was looking to be a close-knit contest as by […]
