Was also at a couple of euro teams and had a firm offer from united yet left

Team stability is important, why not stay more than one season. Wortho aint the only culprit!!

Had the pleasure of speaking with him after last season, when the league was in trouble. It didn't seem like he was real happy with united at the time. Never actually said it, it was just what I took from the interview.

A big LOL @ people criticizing someone for going to the highest bidder... Seriously, an athlete's career is a fleeting thing. If you're a fan, does it suck when a guy leaves your team for more cash? Of course. It's unreasonable (and for most hypocritical too) to blame them personally for it, though.

Australian basketballers don't exactly rake in the big dollars. How much would Wortho be on for this season? 120k?

In a few short years he'll have to go get a normal job like any one of us. Who can blame him for taking the best offer while he's still near the top of his game and can still command decent money?

Wortho's wife is from Cairns and her family are there.

And then there is that MVP award last year, got me stuffed how he got that being "complacent", "lucky" or "going through the motions". Gotta then wonder about the multiple boomers call ups too then I guess......

Yeah he won that because of the meltdown with McCrae... that was a weird situation. Wortho was not the best guy on that team, he would admit that.

Great halftime interview though!

I think his performance last night in the season opener against the Hawks proved something...

Like, he still has it!

Yeah, totally agree, Bear... And I would argue that he was the best team on United last season... he didn't score the most points, but since when does that mean that that person is the best player? From memory he was the only one working hard on the team in the games that I watched and I can understand that if he DID get an offer that was less than what he was on, he should definitely look elsewhere, like probably every single one of the people criticising him would do...

United was a complete nutjob mess last season, I don't blame him for wanting to get out, to a championship contender where he's coming off the bench, of all things...

Wortho and McRae could've both got MVP. They were a clear top 2- so those saying Wortho didn't deserve it, you'd *have to* admit he was at least the second most valuable player, on a team that just missed the playoffs.

Great game last night- Wortho was the most influential player on court. Cairns has so much depth though, he'll only be getting 20 minutes a game once Trigger comes back.

Cairns will have too much depth when Trigger is back - always a good problem. Fearne will have a tough time juggling minutes.

"Wortho only loyal to the cash. All the other talk bout staying and living long term comes out every city he plays in"

You're a tool. He cancelled his plans to go overseas and moved to Cairns because his grandmother (who lives up here) got diagnosed with cancer.

http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/dual-olympian-mark-worthinton-signs-for-cairns-taipans/story-fnjpuwsz-1227432404512

I will admit that I only went to one United game last season, saw a couple on TV but hope to see more this season.

What I saw of Jordan McRae made me think that he was their go-to player or at least he had a fair license to score at every opportunity he wanted to take advantage of.

Unfortunately for him and the team, that wasn't always the best decision and his propensity to take poor shots rather than bring his team-mates into the game cost them dearly IMHO.

Talent is one thing, but when a team gets it all together and everyone buys into the same basketball ethos according to what best suits that team and their is respect both ways (coach-player-coach), then you will have a much greater chance for success...

Wow I'm a little surprised by all the hate... Wasn't Kickert their marquee player and a damn near useless... Not once in this forum has anyone suggested that Kickert was in United's top 2 players and their other import and Barlow zero just as bad.

Lay off Wortho and he was sensational last night

McRae was easily the most talented player easily for Melbourne last year but he wasn't the most valuable due to his selfishness. E.g. Swearing at DMac and teammates and hogging the ball. Worthington was their best player who brought it night in night out. Had a better season than in 2013/14. To me Barlow was the biggest disappointment for United last year and Kickert and Dennis were more disappointing than Wortho so I think the comments on Wortho are harsh here.

Well, be fair. Kickert was quite dangerous- At one end of the court....

Gee that's tough on Kickert, he delivered exactly what he has the rest of his career, anyone expecting much more probably hadn't done their research!

If anyone was doubting Wortho's passion and desire to win games, need only watch the game against the Kings tonight... While they didn't get the win, Wortho was the only one working his tail off for the most part and was easily the only player getting it done and was NOT happy when his teammates weren't putting in the same effort at times...