JackJumpers’ physicality “another level”: Vickerman

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman has declared his team must find a way to combat the physicality of the Tasmania JackJumpers in Monday’s Game 3 of the semi-final series.

The JackJumpers’ physical and tough defensive effort led them to a 79-72 win in Game 2, which has forced a decisive Game 3 with a spot in the Grand Final on the line.

United scored just 12 points in the first quarter, and 13 in the last period, with Vickerman explaining they need to change their strategy.

“The physicality they (Tasmania) came out with in the first quarter was another level,” Vickerman said.

“It’s a time and space issue. If there's time and space for them to be in front of us, they're not doing anything illegal.

“We have to be aware of the space they're crowding us with. At times we have to zigzag. You can't run straight lines down the floor against this team.

“It's a tactic that's trying to slow our pace down and we have to combat it.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We heard from Dean Vickerman and Matthew Dellavedova from <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MelbUnited</a> post-game.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLFinals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLFinals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZqoXOoJ6nC">pic.twitter.com/ZqoXOoJ6nC</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1520379647493509121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Despite having issues to address, Vickerman is relishing the chance to punch a Grand Final ticket in front of United’s home crowd at John Cain Arena.

“We go through the regular season to get to play at home in these big moments. I love it. I love being in situations that challenge you as a coach to be better,” Vickerman said.

Game 3 between Melbourne and Tasmania will tip-off at 7:30pm AEST on Monday night live on ESPN via Foxtel and Kayo Freebies.