Australian basketball fans heap praise on Melbourne United, NBL after Oklahoma City Thunder clash
MELBOURNE United is the darling of the Aussie basketball world after a stunning performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder this morning. REAX
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PROUD.
That’s the overwhelming feeling among Aussie basketball fans after NBL club Melbourne United fell agonisingly short of causing one of the biggest upsets in the history of sports.
Packed with the likes of reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook and new stars Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, the Oklahoma City Thunder were expected to wipe the floor with their Aussie counterparts.
MATCH REPORT: MELBOURNE UNITED TAKE OKC TO THE BUZZER
But it didn’t go to plan, with the Thunder avoiding embarrassment, squeaking it out by just one point, 86-85, and didn’t Aussie fans love it?
They came THIS close 😱 @MelbUnitedHQ fall by a single point to the @okcthunder
— NBL (@NBL) October 8, 2017
Tell your mates, the NBL has arrived #NBLxNBA pic.twitter.com/lV5KYwOVKo
Former NBL star and commentator Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams Tweeted the NBL had won the respect of the world.
Without a doubt, The Australian Pro Basketball League aka the @nbl has Gained the Respect from every pro league IN THE WORLD ! #MELatOKC
— Corey Williams (@chomicide) October 8, 2017
And fans had fun with Westbrook, after he said he “ain’t expecting s**t” when asked what he thought of United before the match.
We shouldn't have expected s██t from him. #MUxOKC https://t.co/L0anxA5nql
— Ti is Voting YES 👠(@tibutler) October 8, 2017
Remember that time Russell Westbrook said this?#NBLxNBA #MELATOKC pic.twitter.com/DAjO6sN5hQ
— Mike Christian (@mrmikechristian) October 8, 2017
Some wondered what might have been, had United superstar Chris Goulding not succumbed to appendicitis on Thursday.
Westbrook would've had a massive sigh of relief after that, imagine if @ChrisGoulding43 was playing though 🤔 #MELatOKC
— Michael Harper (@mharper226) October 8, 2017
But mostly, we were just proud.
@MelbUnitedHQ Outstanding effort by the boys 2day. Something the sport on a whole can build off. Massive year of @NBL ahead! #WeAreMelbourne
— Justin Schueller (@JSchueller15) October 8, 2017
So. Damn. Proud. Melbourne get behind this tean!!! Safe travels back home guys! ðŸ‘👠#WeAreMelbourne #BurnCity https://t.co/nTbjdw5yZ2
— Amelia Hatherell (@aghatherell) October 8, 2017
So is @MelbUnitedHQ now looking good for third seed in the East? #MELatOKC
— Steve (@steviejvic) October 8, 2017
And so was CG43
PROUD!!!
— Chris Goulding (@ChrisGoulding43) October 8, 2017
Well done, United.
🤔 Do you think @KyleAdnam woke up this morning thinking he'd hit a 3-ball in Melo's face?#NBLxNBA #MELatOKC pic.twitter.com/45MatqpccA
— NBL (@NBL) October 8, 2017
. @NBL boss Larry Lestelman just walked past and said "The NBL has arrived". He isn't wrong. @MelbUnitedHQ have been outstanding vs OKC
— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) October 8, 2017
This is crazy! @MelbUnitedHQ with final possession to beat @okcthunder with Westbrook, Melo and Paul George all playing 30+ mins. Huge! #NBA
— Trent Copeland (@copes9) October 8, 2017
Originally published as Australian basketball fans heap praise on Melbourne United, NBL after Oklahoma City Thunder clash