Below-par United on hunt for new blood
CHANGES are coming for the underperforming Melbourne United.
After three losses in a row and twice being routed on their home floor by reigning champions Sydney Kings in the space of 14 days, coach Dean Vickerman conceded that roster moves were on the horizon as he tries to salvage the season after a worrying 2-4 start.
Vickerman was matter-offact when asked if he was seeking a new recruit.
“Yep,” he said. “I‘ve been open – we’re searching for a guy. We haven’t found the right guy yet.”
Vickerman took the extraordinary step of singling out import Jordan Caroline’s offensive work against the Kings and comparing it to that of former United player Jack White, who is now in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets. Caroline got himself into some great positions to score against the Kings but struggled to finish his work with just seven points on 3-of-11 shooting.
United will search far and wide for a player that can improve their roster and will likely target a centre to help their interior presence.
“The games that we’ve won the boards we’ve won the game kind of thing,” Vickerman said.
“We just haven‘t been able to compete in that area or have another threat certainly running at the rim and finishing.”
Isaac Humphries has been forced to go it alone at centre with Ariel Hukporti injured, but he has been left frustrated by foul trouble.
There could be some key internal additions to the gameday squad in time for United‘s clash with Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong on Saturday.
Vickerman expects young point guard Lachie Barker to play after a concussion, while starting point guard Shea Ili is aiming for a return for the Hawks clash.