Melbourne "can definitely get better": Goulding

Melbourne United may have won their opening two games of NBL24, but they’re not resting on their laurels ahead of their Round 2 fixture against Tasmania.

First came a Throwdown victory over South East Melbourne to open the new campaign, before a last quarter blitz saw United overcome Adelaide three days later.

Melbourne captain Chris Goulding says while starting the season 2-0 is positive, there’s plenty of improvement left in the new-look group.

“We’re pleased with the results,” Goulding said on RSN. “I think we were probably a little bit better in the Throwdown than we were against Adelaide. Our defence slipped a little bit and we weren’t as energetic as we could have been.

“We definitely watched all that video yesterday and saw some big improvements to make. To get two wins after not playing as well as we could and to see some areas we can definitely get better at is a positive start for sure.

“We’re pretty open with the fact last year we didn’t have a great year. The extent of the conversations have been – both internally and externally – we want to get back to playing our brand of basketball.

“I think it’s in everyone’s mind you play basketball to win games and win championships and I don’t think there’s anyone here that doesn’t want to do that.

“Realistically for us after the year we had last year, let’s just get back to playing the way we want to play and if we do that consistently it will put us in good stead, make the playoffs and take it from there.”

A crucial part of Melbourne’s 2-0 start to the season has been the form of Next Star Ariel Hukporti.

After missing the entirety of NBL23 with a ruptured Achilles, Hukporti has started the new season on fire.

His averages of 7.5 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks per game saw him earn a nomination for the round’s Chemist Warehouse Fans’ MVP, and he has starred in the absence of former MVP nominee Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.

Goulding says Hukporti is only just getting started in the new season.

“He's a monster and he’s just scratching the surface of what he can do,” Goulding said.

“We’re always talking to him about he doesn’t need to do too much, just be yourself, block shots, change shots, contest the rim, set screens, rebound.

“He’s one of our fastest players at seven-foot. The way he can move around the floor is just exceptional and he creates so many opportunities for others that in time are going to create opportunities for himself.

“He’s five, six games back after an Achilles rupture and I think we’re really going to see how good he can be in the middle and back end of the year.”

Melbourne’s clash with Adelaide will be shown live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, and on 10 Peach and 10play from 2pm AEDT on Sunday.