Coach Dean Vickerman slams Melbourne United for ‘s*** shots’ in loss to Brisbane

Melbourne United’s mid-season slump has continued, the reigning champion dropping its fourth game in the last six contests — and copping a pasting from the coach.

Star point guard Casper Ware paced United’s scoring. Picture: Getty Images

FRUSTRATED Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman has summed up his team’s performance perfectly in Gold Coast with six words during a heated and expletive-laden time-out address.

“We’re running around taking s*** shots,” Vickerman blasted as United trailed by three points with three minutes to play in the third quarter.

No truer words could be spoken about United’s plight.

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Star point guard Casper Ware paced United’s scoring. Picture: Getty Images

Vickerman has spoken at length about United being more aggressive with the basketball and tight defensively this season.

But even the mild-mannered reigning NBL coach of the year could not hide his frustration yesterday during the critical nine-point loss to Brisbane Bullets on the Gold Coast.

After watching Bullets marquee Lamar Patterson slice through the defensive structure for effortless back-to-back buckets Vickerman called for the break and then sprayed his players accordingly.

The Bullets, to their credit, rattled and rushed United stars Casper Ware and Chris Goulding early doors and in turn forced the chief destroyers into making bad decisions.

United operated at a lowly 43 per cent from the field including 26 per cent (7-26) from the perimeter.

Despite topscoring with 29 points Ware was among the most wasteful, converting just three of 12 three-point attempts, while Goulding, who fouled out in the last quarter, went at 33 per cent (2-6) from behind the arc.

It was contagious from there, as Josh Boone and the typically reliable David Barlow also missed shots they would usually convert.

Foul trouble restricted United captain Chris Goulding to below his best. Picture: AAP

The performance robbed United, who was without DJ Kennedy after the import was involved in a minor car accident on Friday afternoon in Melbourne, a golden opportunity to reclaim top spot in the NBL standings after Sydney and Perth opened 2019 with losses.

United raced to an early eight-point lead, twice in the first quarter, before Brisbane surged back into contention behind Matt Hodgson, Jason Cadee and Cam Bairstow.

Hodgson and Bairstow proved to be a handful in the paint, scoring easy buckets over Melbourne enforcers Boone, Alex Pledger and Tohi Smith-Milner.

Goulding looked every bit the game-breaker United so desperately needed scoring freely early before striking foul trouble.

A step back three which fooled Gliddon in the first quarter a highlight for the captain, who questioned his team’s intensity at halftime.

“They’re wanting it more than us,” Goulding told Fox Sports.

He was right, the Bullets, who moved back into the top four after the win, wanted it more and, importantly, delivered when it mattered.

Originally published as Coach Dean Vickerman slams Melbourne United for ‘s*** shots’ in loss to Brisbane