Training in Australia is a ‘bloodbath’. But this Aussie NBA player chose to do it anyway

Jock Landale is in the midst of the happiest period of his life and about to leap into the most important season of his NBA career.

So there was only one place he wanted to be while home in Melbourne and that was his former NBL club Melbourne United, where trainings, in Landale’s colourful words, are a “bloodbath”.

The 29-year-old Australian Boomers centre has been a fixture on United’s gold team or third five for the past 10 days after he and wife India brought their newborn son Archie to spend time with Landale’s family.

When this masthead observed training, Landale was teamed with former Collingwood Magpie turned basketballer Tom Wilson and three development players, but he was throwing himself into battles with NBA import Jesse Edwards and arguing calls with Boomers teammate Chris Goulding.

“I much prefer doing it this way, it’s structured practice, guys I have a good rapport with and you know that when they come in here, they get after it,” Landale said.

“From when I was here and still now, United’s practices are a bit of a bloodbath, it’s an environment where everyone is pushing everyone day by day and Dean Vickerman is at the helm making sure guys come in and really bring it.

“When I came in on Tuesday and guys started a bit slow and Dean was yelling, screaming and telling them to pick it up – that’s the stuff that draws me back here. I’m going to get realistic game play and going into a team like Memphis, there are a lot of similarities in that they are quick and physical, so I thought it was the best place to come and prepare.”

Vickerman and Landale share a bond going back to when he was grand final MVP in United’s 2021 NBL title, and now Vickerman is associate head coach with the national team.

But United are in the final weeks of pre-season, so when Landale asked to train, it wasn’t an immediate yes.

“He said I’ve got a real good opportunity this year and I want to come work out with you guys while I’m home,” Vickerman said.

“I checked with ‘CG’, Shea Ili and a few others like ‘do you think this helps us?’ and they all said yeah. It’s been fun talking to him and getting his observations about the group.

“For that gold group, getting an NBA player has been good for those guys, but he’s also let other guys lead, then stepped in when needed. It’s been awesome.”

Landale signed a four-year, $US32 million (about $48.5 million) deal with Houston Rockets in 2023 but only the first season was guaranteed. This off-season, they let him go after leaving him on the bench for large chunks of those two seasons.

Landale read the landscape well, taking the Grizzlies’ offer of a one-year, $US2.4 million deal because he saw few teams had cap space for bigger deals, while Memphis had 7′4 centre Zach Edey coming back from ankle surgery.

So Landale will likely start at centre alongside stars such as Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson jnr.

“As soon as I got that offer, I said to myself, ‘This is something I can’t pass up’,” Landale said.

“I had two years in Houston where I played well when I played, but I didn’t play enough. And I didn’t want to be left behind.

“There’s a lot of good players without jobs right now. Knowing that their culture is what it is, and I feel as I fit that mould – I was really excited for the opportunity.”

The Grizzlies have a loud, passionate fan base, while their players are known for their grit and aggressiveness.

Landale wouldn’t be drawn on the role coach Tuomas Iisalo pitched to him but he can’t wait to get on court.

“They have a cohesiveness that really suits my personality,” Landale said.

“It’s not often in my career that I feel as though I’ve gotten lucky, but in this instance, it feels as though something really good has popped up and I’ve lucked out.”

Off the court, Landale has thrown himself into fatherhood since Archie’s arrival – both the baby and the Grizzlies’ offer arrived in July.

“It was a whirlwind of excitement and joy,” Landale said.

“It wasn’t like ‘I’ve got a kid now, how does that affect what I’m doing?’ It was more ‘this is all slotting into place perfectly’.

“He’s been life-changing for both of us and how we see the world.

“Any parent knows that when that happens, it redefines you. It has changed me, changed my life and for the better.

“Archie slept 12 out of 15 hours to Australia, which was a treat. He has an American passport right now but he’s Australian through and through.”

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.