Or an "injury".

Update: Melo Trimble has lashed social media trolls as "childish" ahead of Melbourne United's semi-final showdown in Sydney.

Trimble was among several United stars to be subjected to a barrage of abuse and vitriol after the Game 1 meltdown.

Sydney Kings copped the brunt of the hatred on Monday after its beat down in Melbourne.

“We been going through that all season, people now just noticing that,” Trimble said.

“As basketball players we always go through that, people always got something to say about us whether we play a good game or bad game.

“I’ve been going through that since I was in college, I played for my home town and I was still getting people hating on me, it’s nothing new.

“It’s something us athletes go through but we’re stronger than that, that’s way we play, between the lines, with our brothers.”

Trimble’s comments followed Kings owner Paul Smith outing troll, “Cheryl”, who blasted a player with savage texts on Facebook Messenger less than 30 minutes after the heavy loss to Melbourne.

The attack included: “I hope ur both f---ing ugly useless parents will die from toughest pain in front of u”, “U ugly f---ing pinocchio, and 'U are not able to hit a sea from the ship you ugly f----t”.

United chief executive Vince Crivelli vowed to champion a league-wide approach to combat trolls.

“Unfortunately it’s part of the society we live in today where people feel like it’s their God-given right to hide behind a keyboard and bully or abuse people anonymously or not so online,” Crivelli said.

“I can assure you if it comes from any of our known members or people we wouldn’t tolerate it, there’s no place for it, it’s not necessary.

“All it does is cause harm and abuse and in a world where mental health is such a big issue it’s just not something we should be tolerating.”

But Trimble refused on Tuesday to be distracted by the social media byplay, with Game 3 on Thursday in Sydney a chance to qualify for the grand final series.

“We’re hungrier I feel like,” Trimble said.

“Everyone has been doubting us and saying we shouldn’t be here, us to get swept (by Sydney), so all the pressure is still on them and for us just to go out there and play basketball.

“I feel we really found our swagger ... we’re the most talented team and we’re showing that, we’re going to stay humble, confident and get this win on Thursday.”

I said before the series I could see a big upset happening hopefully it happens.

Reasons to think Sydney will win

- They've been the better team all year

- They're more experienced

- They have the best team on paper

- Home court

- They lead United 4-2 including regular season with 3 of those wins by double digits

- Game to game turnarounds are common in playoffs. Refer 1989, 55 and 60 point wins by teams who lost game 2. Or just look pretty much every NBA season this happens

- Casper won't have a 3rd bad game in a row. Ili may continue to defend him brilliantly, but I expect him to find his stroke and things will suddenly look different


Reasons to think United will win

- They've won 7 of 8 quarters this series and +39 across 2 games

- Form. They've been building over the past month, and are playing very well at both ends of the court

- Vickerman is a 2 time championship winning coach who's scouted Sydney well. He's been here before.

- United needs to keep doing what they're doing. Unlike Sydney they don't need to change much going into Game 3

Sydney's reasons are stronger. They deserve favouritism.

I can't wait!

Sydney's reasons are stronger. They deserve favouritism.

Sydney needs a 46 point turnaround to win

In 1989, the turnarounds for game 3 of the semi finals were 58 and 68 (in 48 minute games obviously).

There are regularly 40 and 50 point turnarounds in NBA playoffs.

[LV is so desperate to play the underdog.]

TAB has Sydney at $1.62 and United at $2.30 (United has come in slightly after starting at $2.40)

Sportsbet has Sydney at $1.72 and United at $2.13.

I don't need to try very hard..... United IS the underdog

"No they don't no team in NBL history has ever come back to win a series after a playoff loss as big as that."


And most pundits were saying there was no way Melbourne could bounce back after the last quarter capitulation in Game 1. I don't think the manner of the loss in either game is a massive millstone around either team's neck. It's even money the field for mine

United needs to stock up on toilet paper for the inevitable shitting of themselves. Sydney by 15

It's even money the field for mine

I'm actually not sure if you're trolling zodiac...

Not sure how stating an inarguable and undeniable fact could be viewed as trolling but anyway.

The stat Zodiac is referring to is the one I quoted from @NBLfacts in two seperate threads during the week. People clearly don't read.

So we have bookies setting a odds based on mathematically equations, risk adjustment and analysis, coming to Sydney being favourites.

But Zodiac says no one has ever won after a defeat that big.....

They're not the same point.

They have favouritism because they deserve it.... that's how it works. Just because something has never happened doesn't change that. It's a straw man argument at every level. Favouritism is favouritism. They are favourites. Whether history needs to be made is redundant (if you do consider that history).

It's a trivial and unimpressive piece of history, and if they do it, it'll be less worthy of mention than the history they've already made in staying #1 for an entire season.

Greggo fair enough.

The game comes down to Andrew Bogut. Sydney can survive Caspar Ware being a ghost but they can't continue to survive Andrew Bogut being worse than Keith Benson. If he is not able to deter inside shots, rotations go out of wack. The whole machine falls apart.

I think Bogut is in a bad way right now and I am not confident it's going to change. Vickerman and United have shown the ability to make adjustments, whereas Sydney's win over United seemed almost like a fluke run of shots mixed with United losing their nerve.

I actually think this is going to be a close game, and I pick United to take it. United by 5.

Bogut is past it or he's being coached poorly. He offers zero in attack & less in defense.
He simply stands & waits under basket to collect the ball after United ͏score.
United’s defense is awesome. Kings have no way through.
Nothing changes in Sydney town.
The "Violet Crumbles crumble again. As for Casper Ware. Don’t get be started. Suffice to say he’s a passenger in the final series.

I had this recollection that Casper had struggled against Ili in the past as well, so I checked last season's stats when Ili was a starter for NZ.

Casper averaged 14ppg, shooting 20 from 62, or 32% across those 4 games. Including 3 from 19 from 3. Ili averaged 26 minutes a game across those games.

Vickerman says Ili is the best defender in the league. I'm not sure about that, but he certainly has been the kryptonite for Superman Casper.

If United wins tonight, we might see Ili taking on his next challenge: Bryce Cotton.

That would really put him to the test!

X-factor might be Stanton Kidd. Although it go with the home team.

Last year there was one game where he shot 24 points on 9-16 and 3-4 from 3. (I have no idea if Ili was on court when he was scoring, or not. It's possible he got going when Ili was sitting).

Across the other 3 games, he averaged 10.7ppg, shooting 24% (11-46) and 0-15 from 3.

Knowing Casper, tonight he'll break the Ili chain and score a few. It's Casper Ware, so he'll be aggressive from tip off. And if shots start falling, look out.

Ili has done an amazing job but Casper is a class player and might lift himself tonight.

Things to watch for:

- Will Sydney change their starting 5?

- What will Sydney's emphasis be offensively?

- Will Casper be aggressive from the get go- I'm assuming yes- if so, what plays will Sydney run for him?

- How hard will Bogut go? Was he injured or just disinterested? Maybe they'll inject him with something pre-game like they often do in the AFL.

- How will the refs call it? If they call soft early fouls, will United adjust like game 1, refusing to get flustered and continue with their brilliant D? Or will the refs go further, turning this into a boring foul fest like some of the regular season matchups between these teams? If so, what impact will that have?

United appearing united for the first time this season!! They will win! #momentum

Should the Kings capitulate and fold tonight, Weaver's position would be untenable in every meaningful way.

One cannot be convinced that Weaver ought to be around long-term in any scenario. The team can win with Weaver at the helm but the team can win a lot more with someone else coaching the club.

The King Owners' really ought to consider the long-term picture. It really is the difference between winning a couple of championships over the next seven or so years and winning multiple championships throughout the same time.

If the Kings lose tonight, he must go.

Sydney comfortably.

Wow

How was that flop by Bruce?

Sydney getting all the calls and no calls here

Refs doing their best to ruin the game early. Trying to help Kings as best as possible.

Massive home cooking in this 1st quarter

This is why Sydney deserved favouritism. Home court advantage

These reffs are an embarrassment

Awful free throw shooting Kings

Whats with these calls, these are playoffs ffs.

Foul, foul, foul. Game has no flow. Could be 150 fouls tonight. Let the players decide the game

Refs want Sydney to win

20min first quarter because the reffs are blowing on EVERY play.

@Timberball. You said it.
Refs have ruined the game already. Multiple United players on 2 fouls at end of 1st 1/4.
Can see a few guys fouling out tonight if refs don't ease up & let the players play.

Any danger of a game thread not turning into a ref sooking fest? Bunch of ten year olds.

Both teams have come to play, including Bogut. Should be a ripper

During the season there was a game where the refs ruined the game, calling about 50+ fouls and Sydney won easily

Refs have again decided to blow everything including very soft rebounding fouls on Barlow and Long (meanwhile Bruce elbowed Ili in another rebounding contest and no call...but lets forget that one!)

Sydney's game plan of attacking the hoop is more sustainable in these circumstances.

United can still win but they need to shoot well from outside, or start attacking the hoop and take advantage of the refs like Sydney is. United might find it hard to contain the Kings with these refs. They need to adjust their D somehow and adjust to this nonsense we're seeing

Sydney taking it to the bucket

would expect more fouls to be called

Melb shooting from outside

tight game , good game to watch

Another SOFT rebounding loose ball foul, this time on Kidd

refs ruining this

McCarron elbowed in head by Bogut. Foul on United. F@%*k off!!!!!

Thought only Perth get home cooking? Smh every home does and that's why it is called hca ffs.

Kickert is a turnstile. Useless defender

Bogut made the All NBL 2nd team ahead of Long....

hahahahaha.

That is all.

Well said 342

Both teams are firing here

Another great semi final developing

Enjoyable game to watch this one

WHat did Barllow do wrong on that play? In position, straight up..Tate forced the contact

Refs are the only thing that can ruin this great game

Despite the obvious favouritism United doing quite well to be ahead.

How's Ili's offensive rebounding!?!?

3 Min's left in 1st 1/2. United 1 free throw.

It feels like it's only a matter of time before United open the floodgates.

Illi playing great D

Enjoying watching United shoot the lights out

23 attempted 3s not even half....but hey, at these percentages, keep shooting.

Meanwhile I'm developing a man crush on Shea Ili. Brilliant D on that last play vs Casper

bro this is a do or die game and they are playing THIS defense already allowing 50 points at the half mark.

Crazy.

How f*cking offensive is that Hoops Capital logo?

Moller just subbed in, and TSM for United

If you believe the Hoops anons, that means SYdney guaranteed to win by 20 now!

Hoops Capital..hahaha. The city that didnt even have an NBL team for what, 5 years?

tips from here?

Fouls:

Kidd 3
Barlow 3
CG 2
Long 2
McCarron 2
Acuil 2

United shot the lights out with 11/24, CG very hot

As much as I love CG, unlikely him and United hit another 11 from 24. United With all this foul trouble, but a 5 point lead. I just hope United has the poise to attack the hoop if the 3s stop falling

Game evenly poised heading into 2nd half.

Newley and Lisch looked aggressive early but didnt go on with it. Ili still keeping Casper quiet.

There couldnt be much more pressure on someone than there is on Casper right now

Trimble and Long have silenced their doubters in his series. Right now they have a chance to put the icing on the cake and get to the next level...A grand final!!

Bring it

Long early 3rd foul

Sydney just regained favouritism

Ballsy move by Vickerman leaving him on the floor

Lets hope it pays off!

Why dont we just have a 3 point shooting contest?

CG and Trimble on one end

Lisch and Casper at the other

You're not allowed to rebound or contest at the hoop, so why not just keep the game simple?

Long's 4th

What a joke

Fighting for a loose ball not allowed

What an absolute joke

Way to ruin an awesome semi final series, refs.

Lets see if you can ruin Perth vs Cairns too.

How many fouls have we had on rebounding contests in this game?

7? 8?

How many of them were actually there?

2 or 3?

This has been the greatest NBL semi finals I've ever seen (both series) and the refs are doing their best to ruin it

@LV. No 3 point shoot out as Lisch & Ware are crap

Ili has earned a starting spot for next season

Uhoh...Casper catching fire, had to happen eventually

Ware 3 3's. Coach benches him. Weavers a moron

I wanna see more of bill weaver when the camera pans to him. The chick in the background is well built. Lol.

Acuil and TSM struggling

Roll the dice? Bring Kidd back on?

Gaze just nailed it

Impressed with the defense of both McCarron and Ili.

United in a good position with both of them signed for next season

This is the NBL, this was bound to happen

United have to block out all the noise, stay committed, stay focused. They're doing alright.

LIFT United FFS!

[Ha you've changed your tune pretty quickly on McCarron!]

I like McCarron

I just said he's not a star, not top 15 players in the NBL or anything, and that he's not a big scorer

swings and roundabouts

Bogut AND Ili

Put your whistles AWAY

Let em PLAY

#Seeincredible

#SeeNetball

Wow Trimble of all people tenacious in the Kings backcourt and gets the turnover.

with tenacious D*

Clear out of bounds by SYD yet ball awarded to them and Louzada hits a three. That potentially is five point swing. Disgusting.

McCarron has been huge tonight

A-League use foreign refs for important and derby matches to make sure there is no bias. We need something similar.

Clear out of bounds by Stanton Kidd

Swings and roundabouts

Ili offensive rebounding! HUSTLE!

Incredibly MEL lead.

397 - stop whinging

MU did not drive in the first half

MU did not drive in the first half...

But they did try to rebound. That's not allowed.

Lol Trimble plays for call and gives up a wide open 3

Sydney are incapable of fouling according to these refs. So sad to be witnessing this.

Goulding why...

Don't rush or anything, Mitch. Plenty of time left.

For a PG McCarron has no awareness.

Sydney eat banquets for their home cooking.

Sydney is so brittle

Relied on United's all-time choke to win game 1

Gave up a 38-0 run and were down 58 in Game 2

Won game 3 after their opponent wasn't allowed to play defense or rebound, two critical elements in the game of basketball.

If you can't win easily when it's 8 on 5 then something's badly wrong.

Perth will beat them. Plumlee will own them on the inside.

Can't believe I'm saying this, but I'll actually be hoping Perth wins

(Unless Cairns wins tonight, in which case...Go Taipans)

#AnyoneButSydney

Looks like it will have to be done the long and hard way.

Perthworld / LV stop crying

Kings are one of the most unconvincing Grand Finalists after their performance in this series.

Umpires ruined that.

No way those umps are getting a go in the final series.

Not being a sore loser

I havent been to an NBL game all season (first time in 20 years), I'm not a die hard United fan. Just wanna see good basketball

The NBL semi finals was absolutely incredible across the first four games....until tonight. Tonight was ruined by the refs.

Apologies to Tohi Smith Milner, but I didn't turn on my TV hoping to watch him tonight.

Good luck tonight, Perth fans!

True United are also immense spuds pissing away the series. Why couldn't they let both teams not just one play tonight though? It's supposed to be entertainment.

Seriously - it's a finals game - put the whistle away. They had no idea about how to umpire a finals game. Embarrassing for the comp.

In the last quarter, we should be seeing the competitors go at it

Instead, we saw United playing half hearted D because most of the team was in foul trouble.

Long, who was possibly the most dominant player over the first 2.5 games, was relegated to a bystander at times (eg: When Tate walked around him in the low post) as he tentatively avoided another foul

I don't care who you support, you don't wanna see that

Unprofessional. No game sense. Embarrassing. Ruined the game.

437 - the whinging on this forum?

Check out NBL facebook page

NBL will have a close look at these refs

If you think this is just a few disgruntled ppl whinging here, think again or even better, open your eyes next time

There are always a few contrarians.

LV - yep I do think it is a few disgruntled having a whinge, no doubt

Need to move to 6 fouls if they are going to umpire like that. I thought the league was trying to increase its popularity ... looks like the impact missed the memo.

Sydney has beaten Melbourne 5 of the last 6 games. Cry all you want.

The "Kings must win" memo was sitting on top of all the other ones.

I'm a Kings fan ... and even I can see how crap that umpiring was. We’ll get smashed by Perth or Cairns ... unless we get the same refs!

[LV - yep I do think it is a few disgruntled having a whinge, no doubt]

Except it's not a few

Virtually every single comment is pointing out how bad the refs were, and stacks of people are liking the comments

J O K E

reckon some of the posters here need to take up reffing - plenty of experts

LK thinks handing Sydney a title will help the league. Meanwhile in the process of doing so destroying all of the reasons viewers watch in the first place.

Hey Scout - that was a great show of reffing don't you think? Seriously mate. Tough job I know, but these guys are supposed to our best.

nbl.com.au headline:

"Kings Show Heart to Hit Back and Reach Grand Final"

More like refs show whistle.

Bubbles looked shocked

As an Adelaide supporter who hates Melbourne....I can't believe I'm saying it but I feeling sorry for United players.

This game will unfortunately be remembered as a stain on an amazing NBL season, where interest has been at an all time high

People are all talking about the refs.

My hate for Perth is dropping away

Sydney get Didi Louzada and the NBL pays his salary, which is fine.

What's not fine is him being classified a non-import.

Then they win like that tonight.

Go Perth!

Can't wait for the GF series Sydney vs. Everyone.

Who would've predicted there would be more disdain for the side playing against the Wildcats. Incredible cultural transformation effort by the Kings organisation.

Yep Louzada being classed as a Next Stars player was a disgrace and swapping out Kuany for Xavier Cooks wasn't a good look either. At least they're not still trying to play Taylor that's something.

Avoided airing my thoughts because I don't want to be called a sore loser but anon #536 you’ve hit the nail on the head. If you’re going to call it on Trimble, you gotta call it on Lisch.

Unfortunately home cooking is a thing in NBL. I don’t like it but maybe that’s just the perks of finishing top 2 during the regular season. Sucks. Oh well. Looking forward to footy season now.

I'm getting that vibe too. It's like we're being out-hated by the Kings. Not sure how I feel about it ... it's weird.

Are you saying the fans are salty or the cum is salty?

TBF I think as many of them are Perth fans unhappy about not having homecourt advantage in the finals. Kings actually made some adjustments offensively and looked more like the team that finished #1 tonight, but still looked a fair way off a team capable of beating Perth 3 times in 5 games.

fuck me perthworld

"Wow so many salty cum guzzler Melbourne fans on here haha"

Grow up you weak idiot

The amount of sooking on here is incredible!! LV, really leading the way in that regard. Refs weren't great and missed a few calls - the McCarron/Bogut call and the non call on the Lisch push off on Trimble were the two most glaring - but ultimately United’s choke job and inability to close game 1 cost them the series. Sydney need a lot of improvement if they are to beat Perth in the GF.

So Lisch got away with a push off, allowing him to hit the game sealing 3, but nobody should be salty?

Right. Gotcha.

Just watched that replay

Ok, not game sealing (score 87-85, 2 mins left after it dropped) but it was the go- ahead shot.

That's the exact same call they made numerous times throughout the game on both teams. But Lisch got away with it there.

Sydney beat Melbourne 5 of the last 6. Move on. Go outside. Stop embarrassing yourselves.

So if the United fans are going to call out the refs for poor calls and decisions, would they like to talk about that last three mins, where United made so many poor decisions, Long tried to play hero ball jacking up three's, when the better option would be to try and score a two and get the game to OT. Then Mccarron basically walks the ball up court to make a lay up, so many dumb mistakes made, but hey lets blame the refs.

Surely Mayberry can't get the GF series after tonight’s display.

Contrast to the Syd v CNS game, refs sucked the whistle for a good 6 minutes. Get vocal and let the players sort it out. Great pre-game, great application and excellent understanding of feel for the game.

In contrast Melb were completely ridden for the first 20 minutes with most of the players they needed on the floor with 3 fouls. It let Sydney play the whole second half with minimal defensive pressure, the pressure was on Melbourne to be squeaky clean.

As a crow eater and owner of a kick a vic shirt, there is nothing better than watching Victorians lose. Tonight I felt I didn’t get to enjoy the moment as it was more like watching them get raped instead

Refs destroyed that game!

Sydney - what a bunch of floppers!
Bogut would have fallen over if a feather hit him
Bruce, Ware, Cooks ........

"How was that flop by Bruce?"

It was still a clear offensive foul. I dislike Bruce as much as the next guy but it was a correct call. Either way you argue later it should have been called on Lisch but then don't wont it called on Trimble... Yeah that sounds fair

"Another SOFT rebounding loose ball foul, this time on Kidd"

That was an average call I agree

"WHat did Barllow do wrong on that play? In position, straight up..Tate forced the contact"

Brought his hands down. Correct call

"That's the exact same call they made numerous times throughout the game on both teams. But Lisch got away with it there."

Agreed. It should have been called on Lisch

"Long, who was possibly the most dominant player over the first 2.5 games, was relegated to a bystander at times (eg: When Tate walked around him in the low post) as he tentatively avoided another foul

I don't care who you support, you don't wanna see that"

Which of his four fouls weren't fouls? They were all fouls. You can't just make some general statement implying refs shouldn't call fouls against star players so we can see them play more minutes. If he didn't foul then he would have got more minutes simple as that


In general the 50 50 calls went against Melbourne, that is life on the road. However, I thought the refs were being consistent in that when people drove they protected the offensive player. The issue is Melbourne decided to jack up 3's from the start instead of attacking the basket. In the second quarter they got more calls as they attacked the basket more.

[Either way you argue later it should have been called on Lisch but then don't wont it called on Trimble... Yeah that sounds fair]

McCarron didn't extend his forearm/ elbow like Lisch did. Both defenders flopped, but Lisch's was actually a foul. McCarron's wasn't.

" Bogut would have fallen over if a feather hit him"

I lold at this, I made that comment last night and the surrounding Sydney fans weren't happy.

Swap Goulding + Trimble for Ware + Newley - I'd like to see that

CLUTCH KEV!

https://t.co/SjKQeH1rJN

Funny how many flops Bogut, Casper and Bruce drew fouls on, then a legitimate offensive goes uncalled and helps Sydney to the win

What planet are you on? That is absolutely an offensive foul.

Haha you're joking

Tate got away with a moving screen against Ili on Sydney's previous score too. Foul called on Ili, 2 free throws to Tate

So that was 5 points in a row for Sydney late in the 4th - from 82 to 87 with helpful reffing

United had 13 fouls in the first 12 minutes of this game

5 of the 13 were against guys competing for rebounds

Some of the 13 were simply incorrect (eg Bogut elbowing McCarron in the face and McCarron receiving a foul). Several others were very soft, and hard to detect where the foul was, even after watching the repay numerous times

By that stage after 13 fouls and 8 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, the damage was half-done. Most of United's rotation was already in early foul trouble

Whoever said LK and NBL favour United will surely never make that claim again

The league was favouring United for a long time up until recently as LK now wants a Sydney win.

[So that was 5 points in a row for Sydney late in the 4th - from 82 to 87 with helpful reffing]

And of course, Sydney won 89 to 87

And this is with the added advantage they already got- most of United's team playing on foul trouble after all the soft/non-existent calls against United early in the game, 13 fouls in the opening 12 minutes

To say that Sydney was lucky and got helped to their win by the refs, would be an understatement

Still, this is the NBL. We all know this happens regularly (even though Thursday night was the most egregious example in memory). Despite all the progress the NBL has made, the reffing hasn't made the same progress and it's not showing signs of improving anytime soon. The lesson for United is, don't stuff up your regular season. Earn home court advantage.

[most of United's team playing on foul trouble ]

And it should also be pointed out that Sydney took the lead during the 3rd quarter when TSM and JLA were on court, because Kidd, Barlow and Long were in foul trouble.

Absolutely no doubt, if the reffing had been even close to 50/50 in this game, United would've won.

Again, this is the NBL. 2 years in a row United have had a sub par regular season. Last year losing to Cairns and giving up top spot, this year the inexplicable poor run of form from Boxing Day to early Feb). Get your stuff together earlier, earn top spot, and you won't have to put up with an unfair end to your season next year

(Although- I'm not saying that is true of 2019. Perth were well and truly the better team)

Boti:

The officiating was overly officious and appalling. And one-sided.

......

...Honestly, as an analyst with no stake in the game and not an especially huge fan of United, it was difficult to watch with anything but growing consternation.

http://www.botinagy.com/blog/stunning-upsets-tonight/