Melbourne United’s Chris Goulding will have to put the memories of his childhood on the Apple Isle aside when his side meets the JackJumpers.
He’s one of the greatest basketballers the state has ever produced, but Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding will be public enemy No.1 in Tasmania on New Year’s Day as he looks to thwart the NBL’s newest franchise, the Tasmania JackJumpers.
A bronze medallist with the Boomers in Tokyo, Goulding has been in imperious form since returning from a hamstring injury three games into the season.
In Goulding’s first game back, United opened its account in emphatic circumstances, restricting the Sydney Kings to their lowest total in club history.
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Goulding has shot the most or equal most three-pointers of any player on the floor in each of his three games so far this year, helping United turn a two-game skid into a three-game winning streak.
The skipper needs to make only one more basket from downtown to record his 600th three-pointer for United – more than twice the number the club’s next-most prolific player has landed.
Another milestone awaits Goulding this weekend. This Saturday, he’ll play against a Tasmanian NBL team in the state of his birth for the first time in his career.
“There are so many things that he brings to the team through his leadership, through his desire to win, structure-wise, through his ability to stretch the court out a little bit further,” coach Dean Vickerman said of his captain.
“That’s given great opportunities for Caleb (Agada) to be more aggressive as well.
“Down the stretch or in big moments, (Goulding) is the guy on our team who really wants the basketball.”
United forward David Barlow said Goulding’s combination with Agada had gone a long way to helping the side improve its record to 3-2.
“It’s brilliant to have CG back. He’s a huge part of our team,” Barlow said.
“(Goulding and Agada) are amazing weapons to have on the court and both of them playing well, shooting the ball well, that makes life a lot easier for us.
“I’ve really enjoyed having them play the way they have been.”
While the JackJumpers have won only one of their last five outings, the contrast in the sides’ form won’t give United reason to take the Taswegians lightly.
“They’re a new team to the league, we haven’t played them in the pre-season, so there’s a bit of an element of the unknown about what to expect on the court,” Barlow said.
“They’re obviously a talented team that plays hard and mixes it up defensively.
“They’re a great team.”
Vickerman said the holiday season could be a perilous time to play road games in the NBL.
“These New Year’s games and Christmas games, traditionally percentage-wise have gone to the home team,” Vickerman said.
“Getting a win anywhere in the league at this time of year is always tough.”
Vickerman said he was nonetheless excited for the trip across the Bass Strait.
“Such a pleasing aspect of having new franchises come in is seeing the community get behind it, seeing the green when you watch that venue,” Vickerman said.
“We look forward to going down there, playing this game and seeing what it’s all about.”
Originally published as NBL: Chris Goulding edges closer to milestone as date with Tasmania looms
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