In an off-season of boom recruits, DJ Kennedy’s signing has gone under the radar.
Melbourne United’s “third” import is not making up the numbers, the former NBA swingman could prove a stellar addition to the reigning champions.
The 28-year-old American arrives with a diverse resume and a versatile skillset that has seen him play everywhere from point guard to power forward throughout his career which included time with the Cleveland Cavaliers during 2012.
Most recently, Kennedy has been a key member of the Overseas Elite team who have won the past four TBT Tournaments, that competition sees teams of professional players compete in elimination games for a winner takes all $2 million prize.
The competition has not only netted Kennedy and his teammates a welcome six-figure reward per title, but also pushed their names beyond European basketball and out into the world.
Melbourne will be defending a championship this season and Kennedy is already prepared to stand tall as the NBL comes for their title.
Melbourne United import DJ Kennedy is primed to help his new club repeat as NBL champions.
“I like the situation playing for a team who has the target on their back being that I’m used to it in TBT and I’m looking to defend with these guys,” Kennedy told Fairfax Media.
Melbourne has had Kennedy on their radar for a number of years, he was considereed last year before Casey Prather became available and when Prather went to Russia for this season, Melbourne again looked in his direction.
“He was always really high on our list but we didn’t think it was going to happen so we went different directions then it turned around and came back,” Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman said.
“The negotiation was off, on, off, on for a little bit but we ended up getting it done.”
Kennedy said what pushed him over the line was seeing two highly respected imports in Casper Ware and Josh Boone re-sign with the team.
“I know Josh Boone and Casper Ware so to see them come back for two to three years means a lot,” Kennedy said.
“Guys of that calibre usually go to Europe so I knew it had to be somewhere special.
“That was a big part of the decision for me.”
A big part of Melbourne’s “jigsaw puzzle” will be sorting out their player rotations and Vickerman plans to mix and match his line-up after signing players like Mitch McCarron, Daniel Trist and Kennedy who can play in multiple positions.
While veteran Dave Barlow looks the likely starter at power forward, the 198-centimetre Kennedy could be deployed as a “small-ball” power forward once he learns the role.
Vickerman is leaning towards Kennedy playing at small forward then moving gradually to power forward.
“He shows us some great strength in the post, he did some running drills with Casper and he was pretty close to keeping up with him so there is a speed factor there,” Vickerman said after Kennedy’s first individual training session.
“He brings some of the things Casey brought us last year in a guy who can find his own in transition, he’s capable of grabbing it off the rim and creating as he is a high-level passer.”
Kennedy has learned to embrace whatever role he receives and having Boone beside him will make that power forward role easier.
“I think there is a lot of advantages to us as a team just being able to play small basketball and make it tougher for teams who don’t know how to match up with that,” Kennedy said.
After a brief taste of the NBA earlier in his career, Kennedy is looking forward to Melbourne’s two NBA pre-season games against Philadelphia 76ers on September 29 and Toronto Raptors on October 6 [both times AEST] as a test for both himself and his new team.
“I had my NBA stint and to get the opportunity to show NBA teams how much I’ve grown as a player since then, you never know, maybe a situation could come about after the Australian season,” Kennedy said.
“I’m real focused for those games and even thought it’s pre-season I’ll be pretty locked in and I’m sure a lot of our guys will as well just because it’s the NBA, guys want to be able to beat an NBA team.
“It might be pre-season but that's kind of a big deal.”
ESPN and NBA League Pass will show the NBA v NBL preseason games live.
The NBL Blitz will be at Bendigo Stadium this coming Thursday starting at 11am and then at the Minerdome in Ballarat next Saturday and Sunday.
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