Why Teams Need to Look Out for United

Friday, December 16, 2022

Two-time NBL champion Adam Gibson believes Melbourne United can still charge into the top six if they stay healthy.

United recorded a must needed win in Thursday night’s Throwdown against the South East Melbourne Phoenix, which improved their record to 7-11.

Melbourne’s dominant 92-76 victory kept their play-in hopes alive, and with a full squad now available, Gibson can see Dean Vickerman’s squad causing some problems for the rest of the season.

“If they can stay healthy, they’re going to be a problem come the end of the season and I can see them slotting into the top six,” Gibson told NBL Today.

“If you play Melbourne United in the next 5-6 games, look out because they’re head hunting.”

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The return of Shea Ili has rejuvenated United’s rotation, with less pressure on Rayjon Tucker and dynamic scorer Xavier Rathan-Mayes moving to the bench.

Tucker starred with 33 points in the Throwdown, while Rathan-Mayes contributed in several areas with 7 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.

The line-up adjustments make Melbourne a dangerous proposition according to Gibson.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Headlined by the Rayjon Tucker show, relive all the action from <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MelbUnited</a>'s big Throwdown victory over rivals South East Melbourne Phoenix, thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/HungryJacksAU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HungryJacksAU</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/yQ4A6nAp0b">pic.twitter.com/yQ4A6nAp0b</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1603495111274307584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“They’ve got options now. If Tucker can come out and play like that, it takes all the pressure off XRM,” Gibson said.

“Shea Ili is back, that fixes their whole line-up. They’ve had an undermanned team all season, they’re finally at full strength, and you’re seeing where they excel.

“This is why Tucker has been so good now, he is back in his normal role, there’s no pressure, he has other guys around him to take heat off him. He can go out there and play his game.”

United faces the Illawarra Hawks on Sunday at 4pm AEDT.