Basketball On The Internet.

UNITED is off to a shaky start with Nate Tomlinson and David Barlow under injury clouds and the latter possibly staring at a season/career-ending injury.

Tomlinson is out for 4-6 weeks after elbow surgery.

But Barlow is the bigger issue.

The forward has had an ongoing Achilles issue and been unable to train so far this preseason.

The NBL regular season tips off on October 7.

Any thoughts that may have been entertained regarding bringing in centre Aleks Maric for Barlow - think "foil for Perth's Nathan Jawai" - are only a fantasy, Maric signing in Montenegro.

MISSING IN ACTION: Brock Motum driving on United's David Barlow and Nate Tomlinson last season.

The next few weeks will be very interesting for Melbourne ahead of what should be one hell of a season.

Online

Shock for groom at: http://bit.ly/1VBD0mR

Sixers' first preseason hit-out: http://bit.ly/1fYRg8U