‘Upside is massive’: Melbourne United star declares undefeated ladder leaders are yet to reach their peak as history beckons

That’s the emphatic message from United sharpshooter Chris Goulding – who says his star-studded side has only scratched the surface on its full potential.

The men from Melbourne have dominated and on Monday night will shoot for 10 straight wins to open the season when they host the Sydney Kings.

In an ominous warning to the rest of the NBL, Goulding declared United still haven’t reached their peak.

“We feel we have a lot of room for growth,” Goulding told Code Sports.

“It’s early stages but we’ve obviously got a team we feel is really deep and have the confidence for a lot of guys to contribute on any given night.”

Goulding credits his side’s early season success to astute recruiting from the front office following consecutive grand final series defeats.

He praised United staff for luring NBA calibre talent to the team – headed by former Minnesota Timberwolves big man Jesse Edwards.

The Dutch international is averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds, but in a frightening prospect for the other teams, Goulding thinks he can become even better.

“Hopefully we see more growth out of Jesse because his upside is massive,” he said

“I’ve been really been impressed with his ability to impact the floor on both ends, and to have massive games while still learning the league, learning our system and learning his teammates.”

Goulding also can’t speak more highly of United’s Next Star teen Dash Daniels – the younger brother of Aussie NBA star Dyson Daniels.

Daniels junior has showcased elite ability at both ends of the floor as he looks to join his big bro in the NBA next season.

“What impresses me is exactly that, Dash’s maturity,” Goulding said.

“It’s hard at times to grasp that he is 17 years old.

“We give him big tasks and expect a lot from him night in night out and he wants the challenges and meets them head on.

“Massive credit to the staff and front office for the recruiting they did in the off-season.

“They have a style of play they want to implement and want to see us play, so it’s on us to go out there and put it into action.”

United will take on a familiar face in Matthew Dellavedova when the Kings come to John Cain Arena for a Monday night blockbuster.

Goulding is expecting Dellavedova to produce a typically dogged performance in his first game back in Melbourne as a King.

“We expect Delly to be Delly, he’s the ultimate competitor and wants to do whatever he can in his power to help his team win,” he said.

“We love Delly, I don’t think anyone would say a bad word about his time at United.

“He willed us across the line in so many games and was a leader for us on and off the floor throughout his time in Melbourne. Great teammate and mate.”

SOBEY EMERGES AS A MVP BOLTER

Nathan Sobey has long been one of the NBL’s most maligned figures, but the South East Melbourne Phoenix star has rocketed into the MVP conversation following a stellar start to the season.

For all his brilliance, Sobey can also draw strong criticism from fans, especially on a struggling shooting night.

In NBL26 the veteran guard has silenced the doubters with a stat-sheet stuffing opening to the season.

Heading into Sunday’s home clash against Perth, Sobey was averaging 21.7 points, 4.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds.

Sobey continued his hot scoring form on Sunday, dropping a game-high 22 points in the Phoenix’s thrilling 94-89 home win.

The Tokyo Olympic bronze medal-winning Boomer has been putting on a show with natural-born athleticism, which perfectly suits the Phoenix’s fast-paced style of play.

While many experts are rightly tipping Bryce Cotton to win a sixth MVP award this season, Sobey’s name is well and truly in the race alongside a loaded field.

THUMBS UP:

COOKS RESPONDS TO CRITICS

Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks has copped plenty of criticism from fans and experts following his slow start to the season, but he responded in style with a masterclass against the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday night.

Cooks – by his lofty MVP standards – has looked passive at times on the offensive end while his wayward inbound pass to hand Tasmania a shock comeback win last round also didn’t help his cause.

Yet, as champions do, he bounced back in Saturday’s beat down of the hapless Bullets.

Cooks showcased winning intent from the opening whistle to drop a classy 24 points, 10 rebounds while adding two steals and one block.

The Kings’ marquee man now faces the challenge of backing up his standout performance against an unbeaten United side in Melbourne.

MCVEIGH LIVES UP TO MILLION DOLLAR MANTLE

Life as a million dollar man in any sport isn’t an easy existence.

The big pay cheque leads to even bigger expectations – a reality Cairns Taipans star recruit Jack McVeigh has discovered in NBL26.

But under the bright lights in his return game to Tasmania on Saturday night, the ex-JackJumper put on a show to beat his former franchise.

McVeigh – who led Tasmania to the NBL24 title as the grand final series MVP – produced a display worthy of his pay packet with 23 points, six rebounds and two assists in an upset 75-69 win.

The Olympian has been tasked with the enormous responsibility of helping the underachieving Taipans slither up the ladder.

Saturday’s standout effort will only give McVeigh and his Cairns teammates confidence to continue their rise.

THUMBS DOWN:

HAWKS HOME BATTLES

The WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong is arguably the NBL’s most intimidating home venue, yet it has become a graveyard of late for the battling Illawarra Hawks.

The Hawks have lost two of their three home games to start the season, including Friday’s embarrassing 42-point loss to New Zealand.

The Breakers belting was Illawarra’s worst home defeat in the franchise’s proud history spanning 48 seasons and 681 home games.

The Hawks have the talent to climb off the bottom of the ladder, but must win the majority of their home games moving forward to give themselves a chance.

PRESSURE MOUNTING ON MISFIRING BULLETS

The spotlight has ramped up on Brisbane’s rookie head coach Stu Lash after the Bullets produced the worst loss in club history at Boondall against the Sydney Kings on Saturday night.

The Bullets were woeful, conceding a 116 points in a forgettable 37-point loss to a determined Kings outfit.

Brisbane want to become a consistent force following seasons of inconsistency and had the perfect chance this round with two home games.

The Bullets belted Cairns, but failed to back it up against Sydney in a poor performance and it can’t be repeated if they want to be a force this season.

Originally published as ‘Upside is massive’: Melbourne United star declares undefeated ladder leaders are yet to reach their peak as history beckons