NBL News 2024: Melbourne United channelling ‘96 Bulls in title quest
Melbourne United finished the regular season on top of the table and collected six individual honours at the NBL awards night. They know it won’t mean a thing if they don’t get the job done from here.
Basketball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Basketball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
When the Chicago Bulls set the single season NBA wins record in 1995-96, superstar Scottie Pippen uttered the famous words “72-10 don’t mean a thing without the ring”.
The Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, went on to win the NBA title, and there’s a little of that motivation driving Melbourne United in its quest for the NBL championship.
United finished on top of the table and scooped the pool at the NBL awards night, with no less than six individual honours.
But Dean Vickerman — the Coach of the Year — was quick to move on from the banner night in the club’s history.
“We shut it down straight away, the first day back, no individual got congratulated,” Vickerman said.
“It can be a trap. It was ‘hey, good job as a club’ as one of the best (award nights) in my time.
“So well done to the club, but it means nothing now.”
So, we’re no poets but how about: ‘Awards are good, the minor premiership’s great, but it’ll be long gone without Dr John’. Try putting that on a shirt.
United’s focus is wholly and solely on Thursday night’s semi-final opener against Illawarra, an opponent United owns this season, with a perfect 3-0 record.
The recent form is good, too — United bounced back from a disappointing loss against Cairns to upend the Hawks in their last game of the regular season.
“We’ve talked about that Cairns game to say we watched Perth get beaten by Illawarra, we’re locked into top spot, there was an edge that was missing,” Vickerman said.
“We probably just relaxed a bit and there was probably not the focus on the things we needed to get done to win.
“If I had that opportunity again to coach that game, I would do it differently.
“But then we walked into the Hawks game, there was the win element but there was also an element to say that was even bigger about trying to create the greatest advantage we can going into the playoffs.”
United emerged with a 92-87 advantage — and now takes that confidence into the series.
UNITED’S NBL24 AWARD WINNERS
Lindsay Gaze Coach of the Year: Dean Vickerman
Best Sixth Man: Ian Clark
Damian Martin of the Defensive Player of the Year: Shea Ili
Executive of the Year: Nick Truelson
All NBL First Team: Chris Goulding
All NBL Second Team: Jo Lual Acuil Jr
Beloved star dumped as Phoenix overhaul begins
Beloved American import Alan Williams has parted ways with South East Melbourne with a year to run on his contract.
Williams, 31, began — and ended — the NBL24 season with knee injuries that limited him to just 15 games, and, while his production and team-first attitude was elite, the club has chosen to go in a different direction.
Williams’ departure is the first concrete move in an expected off-season clean out as the Phoenix attempts to bounce back from an unprecedented wave of injuries that coincided with the first wooden spoon in the club’s history.
Code Sports understands Williams, who is back in the US, wanted to remain at the club and see out the two-year deal he signed before last season but has dealt with the news professionally and departs on amicable terms.
“I just want to thank the Phoenix, the organisation and most importantly the fans for the love they showed me in my time here,” Williams said.
“This was my first time in Australia and I loved it, the Phoenix played a big part in that and I’ll forever be part of the Heartland.”
Affectionately known as Big Sauce, Williams, in his two seasons at South East Melbourne, captured the imagination of the club’s fanbase — and the wider NBL — with his brutish play on the court and as a gregarious off-court personality with a smile that lights up a room.
The Phoenix, Arizona, native has been one of the best centres in the league, claiming the past two NBL rebounding titles.
Off the court, he dabbled in the commentary box and was beloved by his teammates, not just for his attitude but for both his willingness — and ability — to deal with media.
Phoenix chief executive Tommy Greer acknowledged the impact Williams had in The Heartland.
“Alan will forever be a big part of the history of the Phoenix and will leave an indelible mark on this club and our fans,” Greer said.
“His efforts on court were matched by the work he did in the community through club programs and as a public advocate for the Phoenix.
“We wish Alan and (partner) Cassidy all the best on whatever is to come in the future and thank them for being part of the Phoenix.”
TOWERS OF POWER: SIXERS CONFIRM HUMPHRIES, HIGH-RISE PARTNERSHIP
Adelaide will, on Thursday, make star centre Isaac Humphries’ return on a multi-hyear deal official.
The towering club MVP was a highly sought after free agent following his best season of basketball in Adelaide and, after initial talks with the club broke down, new coach Scott Ninnis and the Sixers brass were able to get the big man back to the table, eventually agreeing on a three-year deal.
Humphries, whose return to the Sixers was first reported by ESPN, thrived under Ninnis, averaging 18 points and 7.7 rebounds in the 15 games under the new coach’s stewardship.
His partnership with scoring guard DJ Vasiljevic — also on a three-year deal — flourished and that pair now forms the builfing blocks of what is hoped to be a resurgence in the City fo Churches.
The giant 211cm centre will be unveiled on the 27th floor of the 115m One Festival Tower as part of a twin-positive for the club, with the building’s developer Walker Corporation extending its jersey sponsorship as the Sixers’ major partner for a fourth consecutive season.
TIME FOR PERTH TO RE-SIGN WAGGY NOW
Perth Wildcats lifer Jesse Wagstaff laughs when he hears best mate Damian Martin calling for him to go on for another season.
The Wildcats’ heart and soul 450-game leader has played a key role in the Cats’ drive to second place and a semi final date with Tasmania, beginning Friday, and his former teammate wants the six-time NBL champion to commit to a 16th season with the Red Army.
“Everyone keeps on asking but, at least for the last two-three years, I really haven’t thought about it until after the season and it’ll be the same this year,” Wagstaff, who will be 38 when round one tips off next season, said.
“Everyone thinks I have a grand masterplan of what I’m going to do but it all plays out during the off-season — I’ve almost been retired a couple of times.
“It normally takes me a little bit to decide. The club’s always been respectful and I told before this season to act as if I’m not playing and if there’s a spot for me once I’ve made up my mind, let’s revisit that.
“We’ll cross that bridge for next season when we come to it.”
TASSIE CONFIDENT BIG MAN GOOD TO GO
Key Tasmania import Marcus Lee is firming to play in Friday’s game one semi final clash with Perth Wildcats, despite suffering from shoulder pain caused by a pinched nerve in his neck.
The American practiced this week, leaving JackJumpers assistant coach Jack Fleming “optimistic” the injury would not keep him off the plane to Perth, despite initial fears it could have ended his season.
Lee went down after just 22 seconds in the Seeding Qualifier but that win over Illawarra has given him nine days to recover.
“He is tracking well,” Fleming said.
“From the moment (it happened) we thought it was an AC or a shoulder so for it to just be a little neck tweak is great news and it’s just great to have him back so early in the week.”
The JackJumpers ride a five-game winning streak into Perth for the best-of-three series opener
GOORJ LOCKS IN TOP TARGETS
With the ink barely dry on Brian Goorjian’s Sydney Kings contract, the legendary coach has already declared his desire to lure Xavier Cooks back to the Harbour City.
For all the nostalgia of a return to Sydney, Goorjian is locked in and wasting no time on assembling a championship-winning team at the Kings for NBL25.
Minutes after he was officially unveiled as coach for the next three years, his immediate focus turned to the roster.
Goorjian declared the squad for next season was an “open book”, before confirming he was keen to lure Cooks back to the club where the star forward won back-to-back championships, an NBL MVP and Grand Final MVP in 2022 and 2023.
“I’m highly interested,” Goorjian told Code Sports about Cooks, who plays for Chiba Jets in the Japanese B League.
“You are looking at those top guys and he is an icon here. He is huge.
“There will definitely be (conversations) when he can. He was hugely missed this season. He is a guy who I’ve had (with the Boomers) over the course of time and you don’t realise how important he is until he isn’t with the group.”
Goorjian fronted the media for the first time as Kings coach on Wednesday, but, as exclusively revealed by Code Sports, his return was certain when the master mentor began contacting close connections around midday on Monday.
Goorjian had commenced official discussions with the Kings last week, just days after the franchise parted ways with coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah.
It’s understood Sydney’s co-owner – Boomers and NBA legend Luc Longley – had, late last month, unofficially reached out to the NBL’s most successful coach to gauge his interest in a potential comeback to the Kings.
Goorjian, who was keen to return to the NBL after completing his coaching commitments with the Boomers at this year’s Paris Olympics, liked Longley’s pitch.
Conversations quickly progressed and it’s understood he began his due diligence on the Kings operation mid-last week, reaching out to players before the weekend.
Sydney officials were desperate to move promptly on a new coach after being left in the lurch with previous mentor Chase Buford.
Buford departed the club, forcing the Kings to enter free agency without a coach.
It’s why Sydney swooped in on Goorjian – the club’s most successful mentor following his historic three-peat from 2003-05.
In an exclusive interview with Code Sports last Saturday, the veteran mentor reinforced his desire to return to the club he last coached 16 years ago.
“Listening to their thoughts, we’re on the same page moving forward, it’s attractive,” Goorjian said about his conversations with Sydney officials.
Goorjian strongly indicated that he would most likely become Sydney’s next coach if the terms of a deal could be reached.
On Monday, it’s understood the six-time championship-winner had verbally agreed to return to the Kings as coach.
It prompted Goorjian to connect with close contacts to declare he was back in the Harbour City.
He then flew to Sydney on Tuesday to rubber stamp the multi-year deal.
Goorjian has returned and the purple and gold army couldn’t be happier.
“I’m pumped to be back in Sydney,” said 70-year-old said, confirming he is planning to finish his illustrious coaching career as a King.
“Honestly, I never thought I’d leave Sydney the first time after we built everything from the ground up and were winning consistently — it felt like home to me and I thought I’d finish my coaching career there, as we’d built something really special.
“But when I left, I never looked over my shoulder as I didn’t think I’d ever get a chance to coach the Kings again — it’s amazing how life works like this sometimes.
“I’ve had a lot of great opportunities come to me in my career, so to be able to come full circle and come back where I’ve made so many special memories and my photo is hanging from the rafters, is going to be incredible.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NBL News 2024: Melbourne United channelling ‘96 Bulls in title quest
Why bogey Snakes have been so hard for United to tame
In an NBL peculiarity, league heavyweight Melbourne United have been beaten by the Cairns Taipans in five of their last six meetings. United coach Dean Vickerman is determined to end the Snakes’ hex.
WATCH: NBL star in hot water over ‘choke’
One of the NBL’s biggest stars is facing possible sanctions after tensions boiled over in ugly finish to Tasmania’s clash with Cairns Taipans. WATCH THE INCIDENT HERE