The secrets to Melbourne United’s success in NBL22

Reigning champion Melbourne United looks set to finish atop the NBL ladder for a second consecutive season.

There are many reasons why Melbourne United sits atop the NBL ladder, not least of which it has made itself the league’s ultimate road warrior.

United has dropped just two away games this season – against 10 wins – as it embarks on a trip north to face the Cairns Taipans on Sunday.

It’s a road record coach Dean Vickerman says might be the best of any team he’s ever been involved with.

“It’s an amazing achievement so far, what we’ve done,” Vickerman said after his side fought back from a double-digit deficit to beat South East Melbourne.

“We’ve got two more to go and (we’ll) continue to believe that whatever situation we’re in, whether it’s four games in 10 days or whatever it is, that we can go up there and play well enough and rotate people.”

Against the Phoenix, Caleb Agada returned from a one-game injury absence, but played sparingly, while Yudai Baba, in his third game since re-signing with United, didn’t have his usual pep.

“You saw Baba after just a couple of games with us, he just wasn’t quite Baba, and Caleb coming back from injury – they’ll be better for this run to go up there (to Cairns),” Vickerman said.

Vickerman coached United to last year’s title. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

JO’S ENERGY

Big man Jo Lual-Acuil had an intriguing battle with Phoenix giant Zhou Qi.

The United big man made the dunk that proved the game winner and then the defensive play that ensured United’s win.

Qi had a big game with 17 points on eight-of-nine shooting, but Vickerman was pleased Lual-Acuil was able to deliver late.

“I thought Jo had his challenges in the post … and (he) responded,” Vickerman said.

“He just found another level and we’ve seen Jo, recently just having a baby, that he hasn’t slept much and, at times, his energy levels have been a little bit up and down.

“For him to find it in those last couple of minutes was huge.

“When he plays with that bit of anger and aggression and toughness, we love him.”

UNITED’S TEACHER

At 38, United’s 200-gamer, David Barlow, is in the twilight of his on-court powers.

But off the court, Vickerman says he is among United’s sharpest tools.

“He’s played his 200th game – only Chris (Goulding) and him have done that for this club,” Vickerman said.

“He’s one of the best clarity teachers of the game that I’ve been around.

“Ask him a question, you’re going to walk away with absolute understanding about what needs to happen.

“We’re using him a lot right now and players are using him a lot to just get the knowledge that they need of our system.”

Jack White (L) and David Barlow (R) celebrate the win over South East Melbourne. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

JACK’S UPSIDE

Since a stinker against Illawarra, Jack White has looked like a different player in his past three outings.

One of the best athletes in the league, White is just starting to figure out how dangerous that makes him.

He’s been United’s go-to scorer in first quarters in each of the past three games and he has delivered.

As White continues to build his own self-belief, Goulding says the 24-year-old’s future is bright.

“We’re always on Jack, he’s such a talented guy,” Goulding said.

“He shoots the ball at such an amazing clip in practice, in scrimmages, we want him to be aggressive and he can do some things that people at that power forward position can’t.

“He’s a big part of what we do defensively … I just want to see him be aggressive and be himself, because I think his upside is enormous.”

It’s not quite a changing of the guard, but Goulding may, one day, hand the baton over to White as United’s leader – provided he doesn’t land in the NBA, which is a live chance.

NEED TO KNOW

Cairns Taipans 8-14 (8th) v Melbourne United 17-7 (1st)

Sunday, April 10, 3pm

Cairns Convention Centre

Watch: ESPN, Kayo, 10Peach

The stats

Taipans

Points: McCall, 15ppg

Assists: McCall, 5.69apg

Rebounds: Zimmerman, 9.63rpg

Blocks: Pinder, 1bpg

Steals: McCall, 1.94spg

United

Points: Lual-Acuil Jr, 15.18ppg

Assists: Dellavedova, 5.13apg

Rebounds: Lual-Acuil Jr, 9.09rpg

Blocks: Lual-Acuil Jr, 2.09bpg

Steals: Agada, 1.32spg

Players to watch

Taipans

Keanu Pinder

After copping criticism in Adelaide, Pinder made the move north and has been slowly building in Cairns. That slow build exploded last week with a pair of 20-point double-doubles that has put him among the form players in the league. A big defensive job ahead for Jack White.

United

Caleb Agada

United’s lone import admitted he was a “bit banged up” after the loss to Illawarra and missed the win over Perth. He played sparingly against Phoenix, but with another couple of days’ rest, could be ready to bust out with a big one against the Taipans.

Originally published as The secrets to Melbourne United’s success in NBL22