NBL22: Melbourne United face mental hurdle of two teams whose finals chances are already gone

As he searches for an elusive first NBL title, Melbourne United’s Brad Newley says his team’s big challenge is to stay focussed against non-finals teams, with top spot theirs to lose.

Brad Newley has his eye on a big prize. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne United has eyes on the prize of top of the NBL and home advantage in the finals.

But first they have to get over the mental hump of facing two teams whose finals chances have already been curtailed.

Veteran forward Brad Newley is wary of visits from Brisbane Saturday and Cairns Monday.

United walloped the Taipans in Cairns by 29 points last start and have not lost to the Bullets this season, but Newley says the ladder leaders must not relent.

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“If you take the foot of the pedal leading into a finals series it could go either way — it could get guys fresh or you could lose your rotations,” Newley said.

“I think everyone needs to be ready to play.

“Everyone’s shown pretty good form in practice and this next two games are a bit of a test for us mentally, as in just staying locked in.”

Brad Newley has his eye on a big prize. Picture: Getty Images

Newley would be among the finest Aussie NBL players never to win a championship, but he looks at the reigning champions’ depth — of which he is a big part of — and can’t help but think of silverware.

“That’s what I came to United for (to win an NBL title), I found myself in a position where I was looking for a new club and then you get (to the team with) the champions ring and you’re a good chance, right?” Newley said.

“It’s (United’s depth) pretty impressive. It reminds me of a couple of teams that I played with overseas — we always ran 10-11 guys.

“(We’ve) got some pretty high calibre wings, some great bigs and some good guards and it’s a luxury for (coach) Dean (Vickerman) to be able to just trust guys to go as hard as they can in the moments on the floor.”

An injury to Caleb Agada gave Vickerman a look at returning Japanese dynamo Yudai Baba in the starting line-up — and he liked what he saw.

Yudai Baba has seized his opportunity since returning to Melbourne United earlier this month. Picture: Getty Images

“What we’ve seen with that line up to start the game is that Baba has the ability to guard multiple different people in the starting line up,” he said, indicating the change could be here to stay.

“It also takes up the usage of Chris (Goulding) and Jo (Lual-Acuil Jr) and becomes a real focal point on the offensive end when Caleb comes in midway through the quarter.

“He can really add an offensive punch with the group he’s coming in with.

“If we get it right, it’s going to be good for the team.”

Vickerman said the last three games of the regular season would be used to further integrate Baba, but also achieve the goal of securing top spot for a second consecutive season.

“Finishing top spot is extremely important … If we win three games, we get that spot, so it’s nice that it’s in our control.”