This was published 7 years ago
US import Casper Ware ready to ply his trade for Melbourne United
By Roy Ward
Casper Ware knows who he is and who he isn't.
Sadly for Melbourne United he is not god, he confirmed that himself, but he is a scoring point guard who has played in the NBA and Europe.
Casper Ware says his NBA experience has taught him to pick his spots and his moments.Credit: Getty Images
So for his 3-7 [win-loss] club he is the next best thing to the second coming.
Ware, who turns 26 on Thursday, arrived in town on Monday, had his first United training on Tuesday and will suit up for Melbourne's clash with Cairns Taipans (4-5) at Hisense Arena on Friday night where he will immediately be thrown into the mix.
Melbourne United also remain hopeful star shooter Chris Goulding (ankle) will make his return against the Taipans after he trained on Tuesday but his status will be determined on game day.
When an import comes into a side mid season, especially one with hopes as high as United, he will immediately be put under the microscope.
So what will help Ware, a 178-centimetre guard, is a strong knowledge of his own identity, one that has been forged during NBA stints with Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and, earlier this preseason, the Washington Wizards plus time in China and France.
When he signed with French club ASVEL Basket for the run to the finals last season, the team needed a boost and his talents, along with fellow United teammate David Andersen, helped it win the French league championship, with Ware named Finals MVP.
"For me I just play basketball. I'm not god, I can't come here and make everything happen," Ware said on Tuesday.
"I just come in and play basketball, play my game and hopefully we get wins and keep getting better."
Ware turned his success in France into a non-guaranteed contract with NBA club Washington Wizards where he stayed all preseason until being one of the last cuts.
So Melbourne United now have an NBA capable guard who can score, defend and run the team but Ware also knows the NBL is a point guard's league where he will be tested every game and need to get the most from his teammates.
"I'm going to play hard, bring some energy to the team, bring some scoring and make shots," Ware said.
He added that his NBA experience had taught him to pick his spots and his moments.
"Know your role, know your spots," Ware said.
"Coming into Washington I knew I wasn't the main guy so I just picked my spots, the time and place in the game to do things."
Ware made a good first impression on his teammates and the NBL bosses with managing director Larry Kestelman and NBL general manager Jeremy Loeliger at training on Tuesday to see how Ware looked.
"He's not Superman but he is a hell of a player and a really nice guy," United coach Dean Demopoulos said.
"I think he is a guy who can score, who sees the floor and isn't selfish at the same time – that's really hard to find.
"He's also got commitment to the defensive end which, all those things together, I think will earn him the respect of the Australian fans and players."
Demopoulos won't hesitate to throw him into the game either, with Ware expected to immediately play a prominent role.
"We need his juice right now and he is going to bring it," Demopoulos said.
Melbourne United host Cairns Taipans at Hisense Arena on Friday at 7.30pm.