It’s a tale of unfinished business for Melbourne’s two NBL franchises when the season tips off this weekend.
For United supporters, there is still the frustration of a 2-1 semi-final series loss to the Cinderella story that was the Tasmania JackJumpers, coming after Dean Vickerman’s team had won game one and appeared set to advance to the grand final. A calf injury to captain Chris Goulding, forcing him out of game three, exposed United’s lack of scoring options.
Melbourne United’s title hopes still largely rest on star marksman Chris Goulding.Credit:Getty Images
However, two-time championship coach Vickerman, flush with a revamped roster, doesn’t subscribe to the redemption narrative.
“No, not really. We got beat. JackJumpers were great. They are a tremendous defensive team. They allowed us some open shots and we didn’t knock ’em in,” Vickerman told The Age.
“It was more a confidence thing. Losing Chris for that last game, we just didn’t quite have the people to shoot the basketball. We know how important he is to us and our program, and our success rate hasn’t been amazing when he hasn’t been on the floor.
“We take great pride in winning the minor premiership after winning the championship and putting ourselves in that position. But we don’t go back and think we need to get redemption from that semi-final series.”
For the Phoenix, the pressure grows. Coach Simon Mitchell was given only a one-year contract extension, and they are desperate to reach their maiden grand final, having failed to make the play-offs last season despite sitting second on the ladder at the midpoint of the campaign.
They lost eight of their final 14 games, falling two games adrift of the post-season.
“Last season, and the previous season, burns bright. We are a proud club, and we are no longer an expansion club,” Mitchell said.
“We hold very high standards for ourselves. We didn’t succeed last year when we thought we could have.”
Now comes the chance to make amends, with Phoenix opening their campaign against the JackJumpers at John Cain Arena on Saturday (6pm), and United hosting the New Zealand Breakers on Sunday (2pm).
Typically, there has been major roster movement, with imports arriving and going, and local stars heading to the United States.
United have lost Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White to the NBA, while MVP finalist Jo Lual-Acuil has jetted to Asia.
Boomers star Dellavedova had been the starting point guard, but the chance to reprise his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings was too great a lure to knock back. His leadership, defensive tenacity, improved shot and marketing appeal will be missed.
Memories: The high-flying Mitch Creek is back for another season with the Phoenix, but Matthew Dellavedova has left United for the NBA.Credit:Getty Images
“Obviously, Chris is the face of the franchise, but we talked about upcoming leaders of our program, we were certainly heading that way [with White]. You can add Jo Lual-Acuil to that position as well, taking on a lot more accountability and leadership of the program,” Vickerman said.
“And ‘Delly’ is a natural leader in the way he goes about it as well. That’s probably been the biggest hole to fill. Not only the talent on the floor but the support they provided Chris as a leader, and it just certainly lessened the load.”
In import Xavier Rathan-Mayes – seeking the right balance of passing and shooting – and the experienced Shea Ili, United are confident they have two strong weapons. Ili was the sixth man of the year last season but will miss this weekend because he remains in concussion protocols. Rathan-Mayes, runner-up for the same award, can expect to log solid minutes.
Wing Rayjon Tucker and forward Jordan Caroline also have important roles, coming in a season when United boast three imports, having had just one in each of the past two seasons when they relied on elite local talent.
Kyle Adnam believes the Phoenix have the depth of talent to make a splash this season.Credit:Getty Images
Much, of course, still falls on the shoulders of Goulding, a Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, and one of the greatest shooters in the league’s history.
United were dealt a major blow when Next Stars centre Ariel Hukporti tore his left Achilles in the NBL Blitz in Darwin and will miss the rest of the season. Hukporti, from Germany, averaged 7.2 points and 5.1 rebounds a game last season, and was to help form an imposing front line with recruit Isaac Humphries. Back-up big Mason Peatling remains sidelined after knee surgery.
The Phoenix have also had injury issues, including superstar Mitch Creek, having dealt with what Mitchell said was a “tricky and unusual” foot issue, although the face of the franchise will play round one.
Gary Browne, a Puerto Rican native, had been handed the job to run the point but hurt his knee at the Blitz and will miss the season-opener. Having had stops around the globe, including Italy, Israel and Turkey, Phoenix are confident they have the playmaker they need.
Fellow import Trey Kell (broken ribs) was also hurt in the Blitz, and will miss the opening weeks. The Phoenix have turned to Bendigo Braves import Malcolm Bernard as an injury replacement player.
Ryan Broekhoff, dealing with a hamstring issue, will also miss the start of the season, but Mitchell said he was delighted that a fully fit Zhou Qi – the seven-foot former Houston Rockets centre – has picked up his player option for a second season, and will return to face New Zealand in week three.
Co-captain Kyle Adnam said the Phoenix were ready to deliver, declaring “the sky is the limit for this group”.
