The biggest talking points from Round 4, Jack McVeigh shooting, Illawarra Hawks, Melbourne United, Bryce Cotton

Round 4 of the NBL was a big one – eight games, plenty of storylines, and no shortage of drama.

Watch live coverage of NBL 2025-26 season with ESPN on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Can the Cairns Taipans finally get their season rolling and unlock their million-dollar man, Jack McVeigh?

Are Melbourne United officially the team to beat after a perfect 5-0 start?

Are Adelaide missing the scoring punch needed to help Bryce Cotton turn them into true contenders?

And will the Illawarra Hawks build on their first win of the season and start climbing the ladder?

All that and more in this week’s Talking Points for Round 4.

THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION FOR TAIPANS

The million-dollar man, Jack McVeigh, opened the NBL26 season on fire – but lately, the flames have cooled. Over his last few games, the Cairns Taipans star has averaged just ten field goal attempts per night, a surprisingly low number for one of the league’s elite scorers.

The Taipans went 0-2 over the weekend, falling to the Perth Wildcats in a thriller before being blown out by Melbourne United. Amid those losses, one thing became clear: McVeigh simply isn’t getting enough looks. For a player widely regarded as one of the NBL’s top-tier talents – and paid accordingly – the expectation is that he’d be taking 15 to 20 shots a game, not standing in the corner as a secondary option.

This is a growing concern for Cairns. McVeigh’s rebounding and energy remain high-level, and his efficiency is solid – but the offensive system isn’t running through him as it should. Andrew Andrews has emerged as a high-volume guard, but he needs to defer more often and allow McVeigh to dictate the offensive rhythm.

With Admiral Schofield starting to find his feet, there’s also a risk that McVeigh could slip even further down the pecking order. That simply can’t happen. If the Taipans want to turn their season around, their highest-paid and most dynamic player needs to be the clear number one option.

This will be one to watch closely over the next few rounds as Cairns looks to rebound from a disappointing Round 4. Because at the end of the day, you have to ask – why pay a player over one million to be your second or third option?

Adam Forde, the floor is yours.

MELBOURNE UNITED ARE TOO GOOD — BUT WHY?

Five straight wins to open the season, an impressive showing against the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA x NBL Series, and dominance on both ends of the floor – Melbourne United look like the real deal once again.

But what makes this team so good? Is it championship-winning coach Dean Vickerman? Their elite import trio of Milton Doyle, Jesse Edwards, and Tyson Walker? Or perhaps it’s the depth of their Australian and New Zealand talent – stars like Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Dash Daniels, Tom Wilson, and Fabijan Krslovic.

Whatever the formula, it’s working. To start NBL26, United rank second in offensive rating and fourth in defensive rating – a balance that continues to define the Dean Vickerman era. His teams have always found the right blend between offensive punch and defensive poise, and this season’s squad looks as sharp and cohesive as any before it.

Over the weekend, United showed both sides of that identity. Against the Sydney Kings, they displayed composure and toughness, holding Kendric Davis to limited impact despite missing key defender Shea Ili. Then they blew past the Cairns Taipans in a statement win that underlined their offensive depth and system discipline.

The return of Chris Goulding only adds to their threat. His shooting, leadership, and ability to spark momentum make Melbourne even more dangerous. He finished the game with 16 points in what was his first outing of the season. With so many weapons firing, United can flip a game in an instant – a hallmark of true contenders.

It’s the easy call right now – Melbourne United are the number one team in the NBL. But history reminds us they’ve started fast before. If they can maintain this rhythm and avoid the mid-season lapses that have haunted them in years past, there’s every chance they’ll establish themselves as clear championship favourites by season’s end.

36ERS CAN’T WIN IT ALL UNLESS THEY DO THIS

Overreaction or reality? The Adelaide 36ers, as currently constructed, cannot win the NBL26 Championship.

The Sixers suffered their first loss of the season over the weekend – a brutal home defeat to the Sydney Kings in what was meant to be a statement matchup. The game had extra spice with Kendric Davis returning to Adelaide to face his former team, but instead of a battle, it turned into a Brian Goorjian masterclass.

The Kings suffocated Adelaide defensively, holding Bryce Cotton to just nine points. It was a night where Sydney’s intensity and structure completely dismantled Adelaide’s rhythm. One bright spot was Bul Kuol’s defensive impact – physical, disciplined, and showing the kind of effort that’s been missing in patches this year.

But now the questions shift to Adelaide’s roster construction. With Cotton as the offensive focal point, it’s crucial he has genuine support around him. Dejan Vasiljevic should be that secondary weapon, but he’s looked hesitant and out of sync to start the season. He is averaging a career low, 12.8 points per game whilst shooting just 34% from the field, which is also a career low.

With an import slot still open, the conversation has to turn toward adding another scorer – whether that’s a playmaking guard or a scoring small forward to help stretch the floor.

Yes, the 36ers have solid depth – Flynn Cameron, Isaac White, and others can all contribute – but they’re missing that consistent 15–18 points-per-game threat every title contender needs. We’ve seen in the past that when Cotton is locked down by elite defenders like Shea Ili or Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, the team’s offence grinds to a halt.

So, is this an overreaction after one loss? Maybe. But when you’re beaten comfortably by a Sydney side still finding its own identity, it’s fair to question if Adelaide’s current lineup has enough firepower to go the distance.

Round Five will tell us a lot – but unless they add another bucket-getter soon, the Sixers’ ceiling might be lower than their record suggests.

HOW MUCH DOES THE HAWKS’ BREAKTHROUGH WIN MEAN?

The Illawarra Hawks had a rollercoaster weekend – suffering one blowout, then dishing one out themselves.

First came a disappointing loss to the New Zealand Breakers, a team that had started the season 0-4. Then came a convincing response: a dominant win over the struggling Brisbane Bullets, who are still reeling after losing Javon Freeman-Liberty.

It leaves one big question hanging over Wollongong: are the Hawks actually turning a corner, or was this just a win over a broken Brisbane side?

After starting their championship defence at 0-3, Illawarra finally cracked the win column in Round 4 – and it came amid roster changes. Import guard JaQuori McLaughlin was released prior to the Brisbane matchup, with head coach Justin Tatum confirming the move wasn’t due to off-court issues, but simply because “it wasn’t the right fit.”

Judging by the Hawks’ performance, that decision may have been the right one.

Tyler Harvey was back to his best, finishing with 22 points and 10 assists, orchestrating the offence with confidence and pace.

Meanwhile, JaVale McGee continued his blistering early-season form, anchoring the paint and providing the physical presence that’s quickly made him one of the league’s most impactful players.

Still, the Hawks’ long-term outlook remains uncertain. They’re missing that Trey Kell-type guard – someone who can both score and facilitate, bringing balance to the offence and easing the load on Harvey. Last season’s success was built around dual offensive threats, strong bench contributions, and defined roles.

This season’s structure looks different, with McGee as the clear focal point, but Illawarra still needs another scoring playmaker to complement Harvey and keep defences honest.

Under Justin Tatum, the building blocks are there – grit, defence, and experience – but the next roster addition will define whether Illawarra is truly back in the title hunt or simply patching holes.

One thing’s for sure: JaQuori McLaughlin wasn’t that guy, but the Hawks’ first win of the season might just be the spark they’ve been searching for.