Lanard on Vickerman's 'win-first' mentality

With Melbourne United sitting on top of the NBL ladder after nine rounds, Lanard Copeland has been most impressed by how the team has played with their identity and culture set by the coach.

“I think the biggest positive so far has to be Dean Vickerman,” Copeland said on NBL Now.

“Dean’s been the most consistent coach of this era.

“Every team he gets the most out of his players. He motivates them. You never have problems ... the culture that he drives is infectious with the players.”

Key Details

Name: Dean Vickerman
Position: Head coach, Melbourne United
League: NBL
Born: 5 July 1971 (age 53) in Warragul, Victoria, Australia
Coaching career: 1997–present
Coaching history: 1997 North Melbourne Giants (assistant); 1998–1999; Rockhampton Rockets; 2000–2001 Sydney Panthers (assistant); 2002–2003 Wellington Saints; 2004–2006 Melbourne Tigers (assistant); 2006–2007 Singapore Slingers (assistant); 2007–2013 New Zealand Breakers (assistant); 2009–2011 Waikato Pistons; 2013–2016 New Zealand Breakers; 2016–2017 Sydney Kings (assistant); and 2017–present Melbourne United.
Accolades as head coach: 3× NBL champion (2015, 2018, 2021); 3× NBL Coach of the Year (2018, 2019, 2024); NZNBL champion (2009); 2× NZNBL Coach of the Year (2009, 2011)
Accolades as assistant coach: 4× NBL champion (2006, 2011–2013); and WNBL champion (2001)

Vickerman has won three championships as a coach, and boasts an impressive 63 per cent winning record across 340-plus games.

He sits 13th all time for NBL games coached.

Copeland spoke about Vickerman's ability to communicate with his players, and that message be carried out.

“Dean will let you know this is the way it’s going to be done,” he said about players understanding their roles.

“That’s why some of the other coaches now have problems.

“You got to set that up straight away. We’re not having any nonsense in the culture. Melbourne United is a win-first mindset.”

On the back of their impressive 10-win start to the season, there’s been many key contributors to United's success from an individual standpoint. However, it’s one young star’s performance that has stood out above the rest, according to Copeland.

“It has to be Flynn Cameron. He has been fantastic,” Copeland added.

“I love that he has that pedigree. His dad (Pero)was one of the enforcers of the league.

“He’s a well-mannered young man who’s brought up the right way and he respects everything that Dean’s teaching him.”

Cameron is enjoying a breakout year for United, after stepping into a starting role with some key players injured and putting up career-best numbers in that process.

“Look at the way he’s been playing the last couple of weeks,” Copeland said.

“You have to know where he is on the floor, because he’s knocking down threes, he’s getting to the basketball and he’s defending well.

“His game has gone from strength-to-strength.”

Melbourne United resumes its NBL25 season at home against the Sydney Kings on December 1, 2024 (Game Centre).