{"id":40447,"date":"2024-09-13T13:14:25","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T03:14:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/?p=40447"},"modified":"2024-09-13T13:14:26","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T03:14:26","slug":"2024-25-nbl-team-preview-melbourne-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/2024-25-nbl-team-preview-melbourne-united\/","title":{"rendered":"2024\/25 NBL Team Preview – Melbourne United"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AFTER a disappointing finish to a promising campaign last season, Melbourne United<\/a> will be looking to make amends in the upcoming 2024\/25 National Basketball League (NBL) season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

United finished at the top of the table last time around, but could not take home the ultimate prize and were defeated in five games in the Championship Series, letting a golden opportunity slip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Melbourne is consistently in the title hunt and will undoubtedly be around the mark once again, given the amount of talent still on the roster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Melbourne United<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Last time around <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

United had built an ultra talented roster for the 2023\/24 season, and finished the regular season as the best team in the competition. They had a record of 20 wins and eight losses, three wins better than the next team and good enough to take home the minor championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it was an extremely even postseason, and United faced some serious resistance in their title chase. They were pushed to three games by the Illawarra Hawks<\/a> and ultimately fell over at the last hurdle, defeated by the Tasmania JackJumpers<\/a> in the fifth game of the Championship Series. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although they fell one win short of the championship, it was still a reasonably successful season from United, and they will be eager to reach a similar regular season record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The off-season<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

United was dealt a couple of big blows over the off-season with both Jo Lual-Acuil<\/a> and Luke Travers<\/a> departing for overseas opportunities. Both players were crucial to Melbourne’s success last season, and would leave a big hole in the rotation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, United did pull off one of the biggest signings of the last few months, bringing back NBA champion Jack White<\/a> after a stint with the Denver Nuggets. An athletic big man who has suited up for Melbourne in the past, and has already demonstrated in the Blitz that he is set for a big campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also returning to the team is Marcus Lee<\/a>, who won a championship with the JackJumpers last season and will take up the starting centre spot. He is a high-leaper that can finish lobs and block shots, and should prove a big presence in the paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Projected starters (when healthy)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shea Ili<\/a>
Matthew Dellavedova<\/a>
Chris Goulding<\/a>
Jack White
Marcus Lee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One to watch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fresh off a career-best season, Ili looks set to take his game up another notch if pre-season form is anything to go by. The point guard won the award for the NBL’s Best Defensive Player in the 2023\/24 season, and could become a more prominent offensive presence in the upcoming campaign. Ili will undoubtedly be a disruptive defensive presence, and if he can add another 5-10 points per game, it will help United in a massive way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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