Melbourne’s import duo is a nightmare to stop

Melbourne United’s imports turned it on again on Melbourne Cup eve, with Josh Oduro delighted at how the side is finally coming together and coach Jacob Chance adamant Cole Anthony doesn’t need to change a thing.

United made it three straight wins with Monday night’s 94-74 victory over the New Zealand Breakers at John Cain Arena, and once more it was the import duo leading the way, combining for 38 points, 21 rebounds and 6 assists.

That scoring output was down on the 43.5 points a game they’ve been averaging together, but they more than made up for it on the glass, and both were instrumental in the win despite having very different nights.

Anthony picked up a technical foul just two minutes in and had 5 turnovers by half-time, but he also poured in 13 points in the first quarter on his way to 21 on 8/14 shooting, including 4/6 from deep.

His behaviour continues to draw plenty of attention, but his coach doesn’t want him changing anything.

“Nothing needs to change and tonight was a warranted technical where he gave him a warning and he went back and got what he deserved,” Chance said.

“But the disappointment for me is I thought Cole did a great job moving on and we’re working with the League on that.

“He reset but my feeling was that the crew didn’t move on and the second quarter he didn’t get rewarded. You can’t tell me all those were not fouls and he shoots no foul shots in the first half, which he’s the No. 1 player at the rim this year, so it doesn’t add up for me.

“But he’s continuing to learn and credit to him and to Scott Butler who I have conversations with weekly, win or lose, about trying to help educate these guys on the differences.

“Cole’s leant into that and he’s made improvements so I’m disappointed for him tonight, but he knows, and he’s walking that line and yet pleasingly, he keeps himself out of foul trouble and closes the game for us and is effective.”

Anthony may have arrived with the headlines given his 367-game NBA pedigree, but it’s Oduro who might now be Melbourne’s best and most imposing force.

Across the winning streak against Sydney, Cairns and New Zealand, Oduro is averaging 23.3 points and 10.0 rebounds. He’s been a monster on the boards and a handful for any defender once he gets the ball on the block.

He was disappointed not to reach 20 rebounds on Monday, which says plenty about his hunger, but 17 points, 19 boards, 3 assists and 2 blocks still told the story of his impact.

More broadly, he likes the way United are clicking now that they’re at full strength, having won five of their past seven.

“Man, I wanted to get 20, but they put that big strong dude (Anzac Rissetto) in there and it was getting tough, but I think it was good and I want to do what I can for my teammates out there to impact the game and impact winning so I was glad I was able to do tonight,” Oduro said.

“I think we’re really starting to come together now. We had a lot of new guys, new places, new play style and we’re learning how to play together.

“Then people have been injured so we haven’t really been able to get that feng shui together, but I think we’re starting to enter into our stride.

“I think we are starting to play with a little bit more urgency, not just settling back on offence or on defence.”