Alex Pledger set to play 250th NBL game against Brisbane Bullets

[Glasgow]

Melbourne United milestone man Alex Pledger is used to turning heads.

On the verge of his 250th NBL game, the towering 215cm — almost 7’1” in the old scale — centre knows his height is a curiosity for people, especially when he steps out with diminutive partner Bailee Wilson.

“It’s funny if I’m outside of a basketball environment, just walking through a mall or something with my partner — she’s a rock solid 5’2” (157cm),” Pledger said.

“I’ve been this height since I was 18, so I’ve gotten used to people just staring.

“I definitely stand out in a crowd but It doesn’t bother me at all anymore.”

Huge size 15 feet carry the 113kg monster’s frame and they’ve become stars in their own right.

‘Foot fetish’ Instagram accounts have stolen images of his feet from his social media, leading to a legion of admirers.

“It’s weird but I guess people like what they like,” he said.

“I’m 31 and I still like playing Crash Bandicoot on the PlayStation and there are probably people out there who think that’s weird.”

Pledger’s milestone gives Melbourne added incentive to exact revenge on the Brisbane Bullets after they came from behind to snap United’s four-game losing streak in a 97-94 result in Brisbane yesterday.

United will look to turn the tables when the two teams square of at Melbourne Arena tomorrow tonight.

Pledger, who had five points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocks in 15 minutes on Saturday, said United had focused on running the sharpshooting Bullets off the three-point line.

It was a goal they achieved, holding Brisbane to just five treys, but that allowed the Bullets to go to work on the interior, shooting 60 per cent from the field and living at the free throw line, led by import Lamar Patterson’s stunning 33 points on just 14 shots.

United coach Dean Vickerman will have to go back to the drawing board to find better defensive balance if they are going to reward Pledger with a win in his milestone game.

Success follows ‘Big Pledge’ — as teammate Mitch McCarron calls the towering New Zealand native.

He tasted the first of his four NBL titles in just his second season with the New Zealand Breakers, owns a Commonwealth Games bronze medal with the Tall Blacks and prefers to be known as a winner than someone who chases big numbers.

And that’s a good thing, because — in a stacked Melbourne United rotation — Pledger is averaging his fewest minutes since 2010-11 (12.78).

“I guess it’s finding a balance of wanting to be on the floor more but also not being a guy who disrupts team chemistry or becomes the guy whose known as a complainer,” Pledger said when asked about his diminished playing time.

“I got a taste for winning pretty early in my career and that’s obviously a pretty good feeling and that’s something that I’ve constantly wanted to get back to.

“As a professional athlete — especially in a team environment — I think it’s (a winner) probably the best thing you can be known as.

“There are plenty of people who are out there who might put up better stats … but I’ve always felt it’s better to sacrifice that sort of stuff to be part of a championship team.”

The 31-year-old followed his 2015 NBL championship mentor Vickerman to United this season, after nine years with the New Zealand Breakers.

“It felt a little bit weird at first when you play your whole career for your home country’s team and then all of a sudden you’re somewhere else,” he said.

“I’ve loved every minute of Melbourne so far, the guys have been great and the city is awesome.”

NBL ROUND 8

Melbourne United v Brisbane Bullets
Melbourne Arena, Tonight, 7.50pm

TAB ODDS

United: $1.30

Bullets: $3.50

LADDER POSITION

United: Second

Bullets: Fourth

PROBABLE STARTING FIVES
■ United

PG - Casper Ware

SG - Chris Goulding

SF - DJ Kennedy

PF - David Barlow

C - Josh Boone

■ Bullets

PG - Jason Cadee

SG - Cameron Gliddon

SF - Lamar Patterson

PF - Cameron Bairstow

C - Matt Hodgson

X-FACTOR

■ Mitch McCarron

United was a shocking -14 with McCarron on the floor Saturday. The proud Boomer will be looking for redemption in the return bout.

THE OPPONENT

■ Lamar Patterson

The new Bullets import killed United on Saturday in one of the best individual performances of the season. If he gets going again, it could be curtains.

THE COACH
“We didn’t quite show the poise that we needed to, so getting back to making sure we space the floor the right way, get people in the right spots and then just make better decisions.”

— Dean Vickerman

MICHAEL RANDALL’S VERDICT
Make no mistake, this Brisbane team is legit. But United is a different beast in front of its home fans. Expect Vickerman to make the defensive adjustments needed to help them atone for Saturday’s loss.

■ United by 7.