United Primed to Even Score

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

"We’re going to be one of those groups that gets up and down the floor. We’re going to try and get out and run and get easy baskets."

By Dan Woods - NBL Media

Despite finishing the regular season on top of the ladder, Melbourne United finished their 2022 campaign by crashing out of the playoffs against a plucky, defensively-minded JackJumpers side.

That matchup represented a coming together of two of the competition’s stingiest defence, and Tasmania managed to expose Melbourne’s struggles in scoring the ball in key moments. It's a struggle that United assistant coach Darryl McDonald believes the side has strengthened this off-season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's a new look <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MelbUnited</a> this season<br><br>Assistant coach Darryl McDonald joined the boys to discuss the club's new imports and what they will bring this season<a href="https://t.co/SiTHg7mJDC">https://t.co/SiTHg7mJDC</a></p>— Andy & Gazey (@TheRunHomeSEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRunHomeSEN/status/1559424267019702272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“You know how we defend, we were first or second in defence last year so we wanted to build on that, but also add that extra punch scoring,” McDonald told SEN.

“That’s where Rayjon (Tucker) comes in, and even Jordan (Caroline) will give us some points. We know what ‘X’ (Xavier-Rathan Mayes) can do, he played in the league last year.

“He had one really good scoring game and it was against us, so we know he can put the ball in the hole.”

Along with scoring, a key attribute that United have targeted in this off-season is something that’s less tangible that scoring; energy.

With veterans like David Barlow, Brad Newley, Chris Goulding and Matthew Dellavedova taking to the court for the side last season, McDonald and company have targeted incoming players who will bring a fast-paced and exciting style of play to the John Cain Arena.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good Day Mate ???? <a href="https://t.co/WWsxuAYYMz">pic.twitter.com/WWsxuAYYMz</a></p>— Rayjon Tucker (@th3flighttuck) <a href="https://twitter.com/th3flighttuck/status/1559403034685218816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“[Rayjon is an] athlete. He’s going to bring heaps of energy … [Jordan] will bring the energy also. He’s a good rebounder,” McDonald said.

“We’re going to be one of those groups that gets up and down the floor. We’re going to try and get out and run and get easy baskets.

“Even seeing those guys come in the office yesterday there was a bit of excitement.”