Throwdown rivalry ‘on another level’

Over the course of his NBL career, David Barlow was a part of some intense rivalries.

From his formative years with the Sydney Kings matching up with the West Sydney Razorbacks and Wollongong Hawks, the 387-game legend has experienced hostile environments and heated battles.

However, speaking on The Extra Pass podcast, Barlow said the atmosphere of Melbourne United’s Throwdown clashes with the South East Melbourne Phoenix were something completely different.

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“I’ve got to say, now, basketball has moved to another level,” he explained.

“The games we’ve had against South East Melbourne, the crowd, the passion, it’s just on another level to what it was back then and I love it, I love being a part of those games.

“There was one game last year… down the stretch, we were going bucket for bucket and it’s this unique environment where the crowd goes crazy with every score.

“I was like ‘Wow, this is wicked.”

Barlow, who played in all but three of the 20 Throwdowns so far, says the moment that brought the rivalry to the next level was the NBL21 semi-final series between the two sides.

United won the series, which featured physical play and plenty of trash-talk, in three games before ultimately going on to winning the championship.

While the series was played with limited fans inside Qudos Bank Arena, Barlow says that didn’t take away from the intensity of the matchup at all.

“I think rivalries go to the next level when teams meet in the playoffs and you’ve got that next level of intensity and passion and understanding of exactly what’s on the line,” he said.

“When we met South East in the Semi Finals of that COVID year (NBL21), that really helped stoke that rivalry.

“(The lack of fans) doesn’t take away from the fact that we were in those battles with that team and it takes the rivalry to the next level. Moving forward, the rivalry between United and South East has grown from that point.”

The next chapter of the Throwdown rivalry will be written on opening night of NBL24, when United host the SEM Phoenix at John Cain Arena on September 28.

Tickets are still available, while those wanting to lock in their seat for each and every game next season can secure their memberships here.