Lowery to Humphries: 'Harden Up'

Damon Lowery’s series of ‘Harden Up’ has returned on The Crossover this season – and the first man in his sights was Melbourne United’s Isaac Humphries.

In the week leading up to the first round of the new Hungry Jack's NBL season, Humphries made headlines for bad mouthing the league’s referees during and interview, and he picked up a $1500 ($500 suspended fine).

Humphries was solid in his first game in his new colours. On his return from a long-term knee injury he registerd eight points, six rebounds and four fouls.

Lowery says Humphries’ comments are indicative of the new United man focusing on the wrong things.

“Here you are yapping away in the pre-season, having our opinion with the referees reminded me of a classic scene from The Godfather, when the godfather said to Santino ‘never let somebody outside the family know what you’re thinking’,” Lowery said.

‘This would be what Dean Vickerman is saying to Isaac now, “what are you doing man? You’re bringing all this heat on the family, now you’re not going to get any calls”.

“How about you take a page out of the book of Baynes, be happy you’re playing basketball again – you only played six games last year. 

“Focus on the right things, leave the referees alone and, for all of our benefit and yours, harden up man.

“I don’t want to hear any whinging. Andrew Bogut came back and said the same thing, he’s a little bit different – he’s a championship winner. Isaac Humphries, you have to play a full season before you get that privilege.”

Co-host Adam Gibson, who made 251 NBL appearances between 2005-2021, was more measured in his approach to Humphries’ indiscretion.

“We all know, and I know first-hand, if you talk to the referees in a bad way it’s never going to come back good on you,” Gibson said.

“You have to leave them alone. Obviously Dean would have had a word to him, leave him alone and just let your game do the talking.

“Enjoy the fact you’re back out there.”