I like it a lot.
Not a gimmick signing & will be an effective player for United.
Midrange
Years ago
Bench signing id imagine. His G-league stats arent great.
United's guard rotation looking very solid.
PG - McCaron, Ili
SG - Goulding, Yudai
Prather coming back to be their starting 3?
Zodiac
Years ago
He scored 18 points against Team USA at the WC last year. He's playing as a local player and with Goulding already there is likely the back up to him. Certainly worth a gamble on a benchie.
Do United still have that assistant coach from Asia with them?
And people thought I was an idiot for even mentioning Asian players.
Maybe we see Watanabe?
He counts as minimum wage against the cap as well, no matter what he earns. Great for United.
Anon
Years ago
What a smart signing by Melbourne United!
Hoped that maybe Cairns would've had a look at him, with a fairly decent Japanese community in the region, and also maybe a decent pick up if they’re willing to let Newbill go and instead sign Machado & Oliver.
Maybe they go after Hiejima? But kudos to United on the saavy signing!
Hiejima ain't in the same ballpark as baba.
Jap n.t standouts are Hachimura, Watanabe and baba. Sometimes togashi.
The rest are a level down but have a few nice kids coming through.
Curiosity how much United are paying him? I'm sure he could demand more lucrative offers elsewhere so good to see her chose Australia.
Every team should have 1 Asian player at minimum to draw eyes on league.
I'd be after ra if I were Perth. Give him his 450,000
Billy Bob
Years ago
ASEAN league apparently folded this past week. A lot of handy players going to be floating around.
One Asian player and 3 imports might as well not have it as an Aussie nbl any longer
Same timezone as Japan. Will be interesting to see whether NBL.TV or viewership of his games there take off at all.
Agree with Anon, ideally every NBL team would have one Asian player. China, Japan, Lebanon, South Korea all have at least 1-2 players of NBL quality. Would the NBL fund their salaries if the viewership of NBL was guaranteed to go through the roof?
To get the top 10 Asian players (not in the NBA) to the NBL would cost around $4 Million.
When there are more aus nz teams it won't matter if you have 3+1
Big bucks playing in South Korea and div one Japan is very good as well.
Zodiac
Years ago
Big bucks playing in South Korea
Shawn Long will be playing there this upcoming season too.
Not really, the top earners are higher in nbl,than Korea or Japan. By about 50k.
Who was that spud who signed for Brisbane and didn't play?
Long would be on minimum 500k US, more in Australia lol.
Cornholio
Years ago
Might be a silly question but I'm not familiar with the asian player rule, is he part of the 10 man roster or outside the 10 as with Next Star players?
"elsewhere so good to see her chose Australia." United have signed a lady to play? So many responses from so many clueless anonymous'
Long is not on 500k u.s. maybe 420 which some players earn more here.
LV
Years ago
If you watch this guy's highlights, he's creative, unselfish, throws the odd unorthodox pass, but also strong at navigating traffic and getting to the basket.
A little reminiscent of Manu Ginobili. I like him already!
Looking at his resume, he'll definitely be commanding minutes in the rotation.
If you assume McCarron plays 3 and United signs an import PG like previously, which means Prather would need to have his contract cut:
Brandt*/Lual Acuil
Import/Barlow*/White
McCarron/Kuany
Goulding/Baba
Import/Ili
*Rumoured here but unannounced
That looks a very strong squad in a two import league, assuming two top tier imports which you'd expect from United.
Mccarron is the point...
Melbourne United-Vickerman
Squad
6'3 M.Mccarron/6’0 S.Ili
6’4 C.Goulding/6’4 Y.Baba(A)
(I)/6’7 J.White/6’6 K.Kuany
(I)/6’9 D.Barlow
6’10 A.Brandt/7’0 J.Acuil
DP
6’5 S.Short PG
6’8 M.Peatling PF
6’9 J.Purchase PF
Kuany plays some 2/3 white 3/4
LV
Years ago
Has anyone heard anything re McCarron? Did Vickerman mention it?
2 years ago McCarron said he signed with the intention of playing point, after his point guard stint in Slovenia, yet here we are 2 years later....
Perthworld
Years ago
Smart signing to get around the two import quota.
Perthworld
Years ago
Smart signing to get around the two import quota.
As teams should, I think we'll see a few more Japanese and Koreans in future.
Ra to Perth, hawks, sem hopefully. All need a pf and off the cap, no import.
Who has the 500k to spend though.
LV
Years ago
It's all about fit and complementary skill sets
Either McCarron or Ili could be "starting point guard", it all depends on the imports
Assuming Brandt rumor is true, starting 5 should be McCarron, Goulding, Brandt and 2 imports with a bench of Ili, Baba, Lual Acuil, White, Kuany... neither of those imports have to be a designated PG like Casper/Trimble. Could have a play making, creating small forward in the mould of a Rashad Tucker for example
Kas
Years ago
Melb Utd started a lot of their games last season - esp late in the season with McCarron as PG - and it worked really well - he's very good and creative with his passing - and with Shea lli - two very good defensive guards
No idea where the Kuany rumour came from but he certainly hasnt signed
LV
Years ago
Sorry, I forgot Kuany was only a rumour
Signed: Goulding, McCarron, Ili, Baba, Lual Acuil, White, Short (DP)
Rumoured on Hoops: Brandt, Barlow, Kuany
Is that correct?
LV
Years ago
Oh and Prather technically contracted but apparently Vickerman implied he wouldn't be retained?
Kas
Years ago
MU signings:
Goulding
McCarron
Prather
Illi
Lual-Aquil
White
Baba
Peatling (DP)
You need bottom bench players, Kauny seems a quality player for this, McDaniel was not so if you believe the rumour mill.
Looks like this might be come very common.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lEj2PDBSrvs
Basketball isn't big at all in Japan...wonder how much more attention he can bring
still a very good pick up tho, solid player
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