United coach Dean Vickerman reveals how he’ll tackle the 36ers’ NBA star without the injured Jack White

He’s one of the best players in the entire NBL and Montrezl Harell will land in Melbourne with revenge on his mind against a depleted United. But Dean Vickerman believes he has the defensive weaponry to tame the 36ers’ Monsta.

Toughnut Kyle Bowen is set to get first crack at taming Adelaide’s Aussie Monsta Montrezl Harrell in the absence of injured Melbourne star Jack White but the 36ers’ stacked frontcourt will allow United coach Dean Vickerman to get creative.

A minor calf strain grounded the league’s leading rebounder, opening the door for Vickerman to deploy twin towers in 211cm pair Marcus Lee and Rob Loe together in a bid to combat MVP fancy Harrell, seven-footer Isaac Humphries and rapidly improving sharpshooter Jarell Martin.

Marcus Lee will get his chance to battle Montrezl Harrell on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

Harrell, a former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, looms as a big problem to solve in Sunday’s first-v-fourth blockbuster — he’s averaging 20.2 points, 9.8 rebounds (both second in the league) to go with 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks on the season and shooting an elite 56 per cent from the field.

“He’s got a lot of different ways to hurt you — his post isolation is really tough, he sees the floor pretty well so if you want to send extra coverage to him, he’s a willing enough passer to find people open on the perimeter and, at times, he’ll wander around a little but and then just have these really explosive moments where you fall asleep on him for a second and he’s catching lobs. He’s a force,” Vickerman said.

Kyle Bowen will likely get first crack at taming Montrezl Harrell. Picture: Getty Images

Rob Loe will also spend time on Harrell when required. Picture: Getty Images

“KB closed the game out against Perth without Jack in the second half and I thought the way he guarded was pretty elite, so him, and I think there’s an opportunity to go with the double bigs at different times.

“When we recruited Robbie, it was always, what happens if we were down a four man, what are those options?

“Recruiting Akech (Aliir), he can cover both four and five, TK (Tom Koppens), one of our development players, has had some pretty good weeks recently, so we have a number of different options.”

Jason Cadee is expecting his Sixers to come out breathing fire against Melbourne United. Picture: Getty Images

Held to a season-low eight points in the third quarter by United less than 48 hours after a taxing win over Sydney, the 36ers were smacked by 27 in the last meeting between the two teams.

This time, through, they enter John Cain Arena freshened up off a week’s break — and with a little revenge on their mind, veteran guard Jason Cadee said.

“For us to go in there again after what happened last time, there should be a bit of fire in the belly,” Cadee said.

“The last time, it was like our fourth game in 10 or 11 days, and they got the better of us in the second half.

“This time we have had a full week under our belt. It’s a mindset, we must come into this together with a plan as United is not a team that beat themselves.”

Originally published as United coach Dean Vickerman reveals how he’ll tackle the 36ers’ NBA star without the injured Jack White