Melbourne United big man David Andersen has praised his side’s effort in their historic one-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder this morning.
United had a chance to win the game in the dying moments, before the Thunder’s Josh Huestis blocked shots by Josh Boone and Casey Prather to secure the victory for the NBA side.
Melbourne stayed with one of the best teams in the world for the entirety, with Oklahoma City’s largest lead being just 10 points. Andersen, who finished with nine points and seven rebounds, expressed how proud he is with his teammates.
“It was great,” he told SEN Afternoons.
“We had a good time playing against some of the best in the world and it was a pretty close game.
“They got lucky coming away with a hard little victory.”
Yesterday, NBA MVP and Thunder superstar said he wasn’t expecting “s--t” from Melbourne. However, the NBL side didn’t take much inspiration from the quote, believing it was blown out of proportion.
“It’s one of those things where some arrogance can be brought into it,” Andersen said.
“I think it was taken a bit more in light humour and it got put out of context. It put a bit of a spotlight on the sport, which is great fun.”
Andersen, who has had three stints in America with Houston, Toronto and New Orleans, outlined the differences between the NBA and Australia’s premier domestic league.
“It is a bit more individual in the NBA, they have got their stars,” he said.
“They have a bit more athleticism, they cover ground really quickly and they get up around the rim really quickly. It’s a challenge to play against them.”
Despite it just being a preseason contest, Oklahoma City All-Star Paul George played 39 minutes, while Carmelo Anthony played 31 and Westbrook appeared for 28.
Casper Ware led the way for Melbourne, putting up 20 points.
NBL owner Larry Kestleman told SEN Breakfast, “to have a shot to win the game in the last seconds is more than anyone could ask.”