NBL have a shocking fixturing system. Can't they spread these games out over the whole season and build up greater anticipation?

^^^ could not agree more. Spread the fixtures out, I know it's not always easy due to court availability but it should be better. Kings playing hawks again on weekend.

John Cain Arena isn't available after this week, so all the Throwdowns have to be played in the first half of the season.

I'll set a mark of 14.5 for the amount for the amount of times commentary refers to this game as the 'Throwdown'. Who's going under/over?

Heart says United, but form says Phoenix and I'll give it to them by 5.

Tucker is absolutely feeling it. United really are a totally different team with Ili.

Tucker starting to show us what he can do, he's talked it up so about time.

Lee very good addition to United.

Tucker dunking over Creek a highlight, though Creek was in a bad defensive position.

Yep Lee's very good. Good rim protector and just plays his role.

Tucker and XRM aren't the sharpest tools in the shed.

Adelaide needed him more than United - was he even on their radar?

Full credit to United cos Phoenix have been woeful, even missing bunnies

Lee is United best import, does exactly what a quality 5 man should do at both ends. I can see nbl clubs getting on the phone to see what's he’s doing next season.
Can SEM win the championship, I just don’t see it, defensively to soft. Led by 10 early and just disappear. While Creek is a very good player he’s not winning it with out help.

Strangely tepid showing from SEM. All starters practically played 30+ mins, so they were going hard for that W too.

NBL have a shocking fixturing system. Can't they spread these games out over the whole season and build up greater anticipation?

United with Ili 4-2

Without Ili 3-9

Tucker doing what Prather, Kennedy, Hopson and Trimble did before him. Causing people to question the signing, before finding his place

Yep. Scoring 21ppg in his last eight games now at a very good %, I think the Tucker debate is pretty close to being over.

Vickerman continues to get buy in from his players. Apart from Roth are then any other coaches able to consistently develop his players to such a high level. Illi continual growth, Peedy huge off bench. If they don't make finals, they sure going to have an impact on who else makes it. SEM would have to be happy they got all their hames early.

A few people got sucked in by SEM after their win beating up on a listless 36ers team. They're a mediocre team.

I think the 7-2 or whatever they were coming into last night with their starting five in place is what has them rated highly. They haven't played Sydney yet though, and Sunday's game might tell us more about whether they're contenders or pretenders.

I doubt Lee was on anyone's radar outside of United - he went to college with Humphries while they were at Kentucky and I believe they are friends off the court based on the interviews when he arrived, so I'm sure that played a very large part in why United were able to secure him. Agree on the above - he plays his role and has a skillset that is more unique here than in the other leagues he's struggled to stick in.

Very few imports 'stick' anywhere in world basketball, it's just not how it works, the Bryce Cottons and Peyton Sivas are the exceptions rather than the rule.

Humphries was with Adelaide for 2 years before going to United. He could have told Adelaide about Lee during that time.

I'm assuming that Lee only ended up at United because he was available at the time they needed someone.