Lowery Slams United Offence

Despite forming an identity based largely on stingy defence in the past, Melbourne United have never really been a side who has struggled to score the ball – at least until this season.

United is currently ranked in the bottom two sides in the NBL in offence, and even though they picked up a big win in a classic game in Perth in Round 3, they’ve barely managed to paper over the cracks that have appeared in their game this season.

With stalwart Jo Lual-Acuil leaving the side alongside the NBL-bound Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White, this season has become something of a changing of the guard for Melbourne. 

Injuries to Shea Ili and Ariel Hukporti have only added to the challenge. 

NBL legend Damon Lowery says United needs to work out what they're doing on offence, and quick.

“They’re lacking a whole lot of stuff, I don’t know where to start,” Lowery said on The Crossover. “They don’t have any offensive identity.

“Everything has to be done off of individual brilliance. Xavier Rathan-Mayes has to go one-on-one, Rayjon Tucker has to go one-on-one, Isaac Humphries on the inside isn’t getting enough touches – they are a mess offensively right now.

“I played against the great Andrew Gaze - the most prolific scorer Australia has ever seen, and he got easy buckets all the time. He moved without the ball, set back picks for him, this guy didn’t have to go one-on-one because the system worked for him.

“Right now the system does not work for Melbourne United.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks for coming out United fans. We&#39;re back on Thursday night. <br><br>?: <a href="https://t.co/B7Ldg7QM1i">https://t.co/B7Ldg7QM1i</a> <a href="https://t.co/DBXdrIy45a">pic.twitter.com/DBXdrIy45a</a></p>&mdash; Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1581508184661188608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The impending return of reigning Sixth Man of the Year Ili looks set to ease the pain United is going through on both ends of the floor, with the pass-first point guard slowly recovering from lingering concussion symptoms.

Ili was the defensive linchpin for United’s guard rotation last season and although Xavier Rathan-Mayes has stepped into his boots admirably so far this season, they’re both vastly different players.

Australian Opal Bec Cole believes Ili can help provide the spark United look to be missing.

“I really want Shea Ili to get back in the game,” Cole said. “I think he’s amazing on both ends of the floor and I honestly think he can be the glue and the difference to what the Melbourne United team can bring.

“I think their brand has changed – they’re not the same starting five last season, the season before. What’s going to be that change? I think he’s going to be that change.”

While Lowery agreed the return of Ili should have a positive impact for United, he believes their problems lie more within their system as opposed to any individual.

“It doesn’t matter who comes in, if that system stays the same it will not matter – but he (Ili) will bring some offensive spark and some defensive fluidity to the team.”