Melbourne United’s Lucas Walker dunks in the first quarter. Picture: MICHAEL KLEIN Source: News Corp Australia
LIFE without Chris Goulding got off to a rocky start for Melbourne United crunched 89-61 in its NBL season-opener against Cairns yesterday.
So often last season Melbourne was able to count on Goulding to shoot the way out of any jam on the way to a semi-final appearance.
But with last year’s NBL scoring champion now in Spain there was no one to turn to as the Taipans overwhelmed a shell-shocked Melbourne at Hisense Arena.
Lucas Walker dunks in the first quarter. Picture: MICHAEL KLEIN Source: News Corp Australia
There is no doubting the talent and depth of this squad, but yesterday’s performance proved it will take time for this largely new group get its chemistry together.
The box score told the story with Melbourne committing 15 turnovers and shooting at just 31 per cent from the floor.
Cairns star Scottie Wilbekin dominated, netting 27 points in a sizzling display.
Star United import Jordan McRae (17 Points) showed promising signs and will improve as the season unfolds, in what is his first professional gig.
Melbourne United import Jordan McRae takes it to the hoop. Picture: MICHAEL KLEIN Source: News Corp Australia
Skipper Mark Worthington (15 points, 11 rebounds) never stopped trying and Lucas Walker (10 points, six boards) was his usual energetic self. Melbourne also badly missed import point guard Stephen Dennis, who did not play due to a knee injury.
But overall it was a lacklustre performance from a team that has a knack for starting a season poorly.
“Obviously we’re the paper champions at the moment and that’s all we are,” Worthington said, pointing to the hype that surrounded Melbourne coming into the new season.
“I think a few of the guys who have been shooting the ball well this off season didn’t get a few to go down at the start and we’re probably a little down on themselves.
“Then it trickled into our defence and the collapse started from there.”
Lucas Walker puts his face in his hands after fouling. Picture: MICHAEL KLEIN Source: News Corp Australia
Melbourne opened the contest with a 5-0 run with Worthington scoring the first points.
An immediate impact from Walker, who scored eight points in the first term, helped the home side to a one-point lead at quarter-time.
But poor turnovers were proving costly with United committing six of them in the first term.
The Taipans capitalised to jump out to an 11-point lead during the second term.
Wilbekin scored 13 points in the first half to put the visitors up by 13 points at the main break.
It was a big hole for Melbourne with the side struggling at both ends of the floor.
The third quarter was no better.
Carins Taipans’ Scott Wilbekin on his way to 27 points. Source: Getty Images
With Wilbekin dominating, Cairns opened up an insurmountable 25-point gap at the final change from which it was never headed.
Melbourne will again meet the Taipans in Cairns on Friday night before meeting the NZ Breakers at Hisense Arena on Sunday.
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