Anonymous
Years ago

Australian Boomers squad announced

Australian Boomers Training Camp - Canberra, August 2013

Name / Height / Position / DOB / Club

*David Andersen / 212cm / Forward-Centre / 23 June 1980 / Free agent
Cameron Bairstow / 206cm / Forward / 7 Dec 1990 / University of New Mexico (USA)
*David Barlow / 205cm / Forward / 22 October 1983 / Free agent
*Aron Baynes / 207cm / Forward-Centre / 9 December 1986 / San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
Ryan Broekhoff / 201cm / Guard-Forward / 23 August 1990 / Free agent
*Matthew Dellavedova / 191cm / Guard / 8 September 1990 / Free agent
Dante Exum / 198cm / Guard / 13 July 1995 / BA CoE
*Adam Gibson / 188cm / Guard / 30 Oct 1986 / Adelaide 36ers (NBL)
*Joe Ingles / 204cm / Guard-Forward / 2 October 1987 / Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)
*Patty Mills / 183cm / Guard / 11 August 1988 / San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
Luke Nevill / 218cm / Centre / 19 Feb 1986 / Townsville Crocodiles (NBL)
*Brad Newley / 199cm / Guard-Forward / 18 February 1985 / CB Gran Canaria (Spain)
AJ Ogilvy / 211cm / Forward-Centre / 17 June 1988 / Sydney Kings (NBL)
Anthony Petrie / 203cm/ Forward / 3 June 1983 / Adelaide 36ers (NBL)
Ben Simmons / 203cm / Forward / 20 July 1996 / Montverde Academy High School (USA)


No Cadee?

No Jawai?

Still no TV update?

Topic #32299 | Report this topic


Bear  
Years ago

Well, they are looking at some youth coming through, so maybe that's why...?

I like the squad, obviously no Bogut, but I am kind of getting used to that!

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Anonymous  
Years ago

I'm not a big fan of Jawai but obviously the coaching staff aren't interested in him, otherwise he would have been selected.

Surprised Cadee didn't make it? Did some good things for the WUG.

Still interesting to see Motum didn't get invited?

Reply #430510 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

No Goulding?

Reply #430511 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Will Steve Adams be playing for New Zealand?

Reply #430514 | Report this post


Isaac  
Years ago

*s above indicate London Olympics players BTW.

Who are you going to take out to make room for Goulding or Cadee? Broekhoff? Gibson? Lemanis makes it clear that he's looking at continuity (explains Gibson, IMO) being a key part of team success in the press release. Exum and Simmons are very obvious wildcard inclusions. Leaves Bairstow and Broekhoff, I guess.

Reply #430516 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

I would go with:

Delly
Mills
Andersen
Baynes
Ingles

Exum
Newley
Nevill
Ogilvy
Barlow

Broekhoff
Bairstow

With Simmons, Petrie and Gibson to miss out

Reply #430518 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

I would certainly have Goulding ahead of Gibson and Broekhoff. I like Ryan's game, but as far as being a Boomer goes he is riding the back of one hot camp last year.

Reply #430519 | Report this post


MACDUB  
Years ago

My team:

Baynes/Ogilvy/Nevill
Anderson/Barlow
Ingles/Newley
Dellavedova/Goulding
Mills/Exum

Essentially you get three ball handlers, because if you take Mills out of the game, can just move Delly to point and Newley to SG.

Reply #430520 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

That's only 11 players? Plus Goulding isn't in the squad

Reply #430521 | Report this post


Bear  
Years ago

Is there any scope to including Bogut as a last minute inclusion, should he recover in time, or is he just no chance at all...?

That would really give us a chance for a medal IMO!

Reply #430522 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Also, no way does Mills start at PG. Delly is the starting PG on this team. Mills is the best SG we have

Reply #430523 | Report this post


daneo  
Years ago

Why do people keep suggesting Delly as SG? He is a Pure Point guard. Mills would play as a SG if Delly is on the court.

Hopefully Jawai is just injured or precautionary for his new team and not pissing off the new coach. No way Nevill or Bairstow gets a run if fit.

Reply #430524 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Exactly right that Delly is a pure point guard, not shooting guard

Reply #430525 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Maybe Jawai didn't come in fit again or his work ethic is poor.

Who knows...

Reply #430526 | Report this post


LC  
Years ago

Decent squad though overall. Feeling sorry for NZ...then again - Nah!

Reply #430529 | Report this post


Mystro  
Years ago

Tall Blacks are going to get killed.

Reply #430530 | Report this post


Gnome  
Years ago

Game one 14/8 on 23:30 ABC1 per foxtel tv guide.
Maybe showing both men and women as it has a duration of 179 minutes.

Reply #430531 | Report this post


MACDUB  
Years ago

daneo, Calm down.

I simply listed him as a PG.

I know he plays more of a SG role, and I agree that he is suited to it.

It's not like I listed him at the 5 spot!
1 and 2 in this case is interchangeable. Mills will have to handle the ball a bit, and so will Delly. So either way you put it (Delly at PG or at SG), you're techinally right.

The evolution of the 'combo guard'.

Delly's a lights out shooter and more consistent IMO than Mills.
Shooting consistency from deep is what you Boomers struggled with last year, which is why you brought PC in.
Would hate to see Delly handling the ball so much that he wasn't given opportunities to jack some shots up.

Reply #430533 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

I live in Canberra and would hate to see an empty stadium when the Boomers play but I haven't seen a single advertisement regarding the game. Not a damn thing!!

I've asked quite a few ppl if they are excited about the game and nobody knew it was happening..

Get your head out of your ass B.A and do a better job!!!

Reply #430540 | Report this post


daneo  
Years ago

Sorry MACDUB it wasent directed just at you, but i keep reading it on here alot.

I have to disagree though with Delly being a lights out shooter and being more consistant then Mills.

Dellys role for St Mary's in last couple years has been the conductor and facilitator for them. He has had to carry the scoring weight because his team has lacked genuine talent around him. he has not been consistant at all when playing against top teams and in NCAA tournament. I don't think Delly can create his own shot to classify himself as a combo guard. the Wades,kobes james hardens are Combo Guards. Delly is more of the Nash,Calderon,rubio style who are best at running a team. (disclaimer - I am in no way comparing the skill levels of delly to any of these)

Mills role over the last couple years for Spurs is to provide the spark and scoring punch off the bench. His role is to be a scorer not a play maker.

Because Delly is 6'4 and Mills 6'0 that should not mean they play sg and pg respectively.

Last Olympics we had Mills trying to do everything around scoring and play making. He can pass the playmaking baton over a bit now to delly and not jack up a shot whenever he is free we will be alot better team because of it. Mills has the pace to play off the ball and unfortunetly Delly doesnt.

Just my thoughts on it

Reply #430542 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

I see it as a two PG front when Mills and Delly play together, in transition Mills is often the one pushing the ball and working early on-balls, but once things are set Delly runs the offence and Mills is working off the ball to get open.

Reply #430544 | Report this post


Vart  
Years ago

Great squad!

It's fantastic to see the amount of senior guys committing to this series. It's just what I was hoping would happen, especially being Lemanis' first championship series.

I would have liked the BA release to address the absence of Jawai. I understand he may be injured, but he was named on the 10-man squad for the recent July camp that was billed as being for 'core' Boomers, yet he's not named for this camp? I think an explanation should have been provided.

As far as the final team goes, I think all eight London Olympians will play, leaving seven players to battle for the remaining four spots.

I personally would play Exum and Simmons, even if they only play limited minutes as 11th and 12th men. These guys are the future of the Boomers. Playing against a sub-par New Zealand team in a two-game series, surrounded by eight Olympians would be the perfect place for them to make their Boomers debuts.

As for the remaining two spots, with five players to choose from, I would say Ogilvy is in fifth spot, just on the basis that he hasn't been part of any other Boomers work so far this off-season. I'm personally finding it really hard to split up the other four, Bairstow, Nevill, Petrie and Broekhoff all deserve a chance to play.

Given that Newley and Barlow will most likely play, there probably isn't room for Broekhoff, especially if Simmons also plays.

I think Lemanis might lean towards his preference to have a mobile four-man, therefore Petrie will probably get the nod over Bairstow, though Cam would be really unlucky to miss given the stellar off-season he has had in the green and gold.

Nevill would also be unlucky to miss. I think Baynes will start at centre, and Andersen will back him up, but Nevill will get a gig as third string centre, to cover Baynes' usual foul trouble. Though this spot could easily go to Bairstow as well.

It's good to have to make tough decisions I suppose!

So I guess, based on the above, I've got;

Baynes/Andersen/Nevill
Petrie/Barlow
Ingles/Newley
Mills
Dellavedova/Gibson
Exum/Simmons

The above line-up probably highlights everyone's questions about Goulding, given there is a gaping hole behind Patty at shooting guard. I was certain that Goulding would play in this series, so to see him not even make the squad is a real surprise. I hope Lemanis goes away from Brett Brown's preference to swing Patty between shooting guard and point guard. I'd like to see Delly play the majority of minutes at point guard, and just let Patty focus on scoring the basketball off well run plays that get him some decent open looks. Gibson can spot Delly for a few minutes, and Ingles and Newley can spend some time filling in for Patty at two-guard.

Anyway, again, great to see the commitment from the senior guys. I'm really looking forward to watching this series, kicking some Kiwi butt, and getting the 'Road to Rio' underway.

Reply #430546 | Report this post


MACDUB  
Years ago

As paul said, you can decide their position based on the kind of tempo the game is at.

If it's a transition game, you can have Mills bring the ball up and run the 'trans set'. This is where he handles the rock, comes off a screen and gets a prior opportunity to shoot.

Corey Webster did this really well for the Breakers (similar to Mills in that he isn't a pure 1)

If it's a half-court, slow, execution type game, you can have Mills running off screens to shoot.

Lemanis will run a set in the 2 series called "2 down" where it will be a double- stagger screen for a shooter.
It's how Penney got so open for the Breakers. And why guys like Corletto can get open.

Reply #430554 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

Jawai was probably still harbouring that foot injury, otherwise I can't imagine not adding him to the squad. I dare say Jawai has more time4 for the Boomers left then Anderson... The omission of Goulding baffles me, fresh from NBA summer league and probably one of Australia's up and coming Guard/SF's why in the world wouldn't he be there? Motum also? They never fully interview the coach well enough to find out why some -people didnt make the cut.

No Cadee? Seriously? OK, I am going to get crucified for it due to the fact that I havent been the biggest Cadee supporter in the past... but for the Stankovic Cup/Uni Games no one was better for Australia... Why pass up someone with such upside yet keep beating a bit of a dead horse in Gibson who I think has hit his ceiling and doesnt warrant real time in a real tournament

All in All... a pretty good squad, not as good as I feel it could have been.... but pretty good.

You would have to lock in pretty much all of the London Olympians (yes even Gibson)... So the team is going to have a lot of farmilarity with eachother... the last 4 spots are going to be the difficulty. Ok My team?

Delly
Mills
Gibson (yawn)
Newley
Ingles
Barlow
Baynes
Anderson
--------

So we have room for 1 more PG, 1 more shooting guard/Small forward, 1 more PF and 1 more center (in my estimation)

I would probably round the team out like

Exum
Broekhoff
Petrie
Nevill


Exum... the future... cant overlook that, can play either PG/SG.. will play limited minutes. Honorable mentions for Simmons...

Broekhoff doesnt really have a lot of competition for the 3rd SF/SG spot. Good outside shooter, an asset that the London team was lacking.

Petrie... our excuse for a stretch 4, can play inside and out. Probably would have preferred Motum in this spot for his sheer scoring ability... but whatever. Hon mentions Bairstow, if his game wasnt similar to the bigs we already have he would have made it.

Luke Nevill... proved his worth in the China series, I expect the NZ series to be no different. Is probably a bit further down the pecking order then this really, but due to no Jawai/Bogut and thankfully Maric, he is what we have and thats not a bad thing. AJ Ogilvy is a bit too soft from memory.


...

For a 'future' squad, the last few positions dont scream up and comers for me... just fill ins. I would have liked to see Goulding, Motum, Gliddon, Cadee, given a look.

Reply #430555 | Report this post


Vart  
Years ago

MACDUB, "2 Down" will be perfect for Patty. He's quick off the mark, uses screens well, and is deadly accurate from deep when he gets his feet set, and is taking a shot in a set, rather than trying to create his own.

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daneo  
Years ago

I think Gibson got the call up over Cadee because he is a better defender. If Damian Martin was not injured, I would of liked to see him get a chance instead.

I definately agree, if we are going to play a fast tempo offence mills definately needs to be on the floor as a PG, with even maybe a exum along side him( depending how he copes playing against men)

Reply #430564 | Report this post


Vart  
Years ago

I would have loved to see Damian Martin be part of this. Injury aside, I really think Brett Brown got that decision wrong. As our premier defender, Martin should have gone to London instead of Gibson, there is no doubt in my mind about that one.

Reply #430567 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

Damien is an awesome defender and could have been a lock down defender on opposition guards so gotta agree there vart

Reply #430568 | Report this post


MACDUB  
Years ago

Gibson struggled to handle the rock bigtime in that China series.

But could have been simply because he was out of shape (looked like it).

Anyway, do people think its an Exum v Gibson battle?

Or do you think Lemanis will take both?

IMO, the Boomers only need one of those players (should be Exum).

Not exactly weak in any other area..but maybe give one of those spots to Bairstow, because the team needs to look at getting a PF for the future, because Andersen is at the back end of his career (never a really good rebounder anyway) and Barlow is coming up 30.

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YouknowME  
Years ago

I would expect both will get in.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

TV guide, Game 1 ABC1 11:30pm Wednesday
Game 2 ABC1. 2:00pm Sunday

Reply #430579 | Report this post


LC  
Years ago

For mine: some strategic selections should be made for the future, especially given that NZ are fielding a very young and inexperienced lineup. This only enhances the chance to expose some of the younger guys.

However I am also mindful of not undervaluing a place in the boomers's senior team.

For example, if Exum and Gibson were lineball based on what happens at camp, then I would like to think that Exum would get the nod.

Reply #430587 | Report this post


Bear  
Years ago

Is that free to air digital or Foxtel? :]

Reply #430589 | Report this post


LC  
Years ago

FTA!

Reply #430590 | Report this post


skull  
Years ago

agree totally with Vart.

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Steven  
Years ago

My team
Dellavedova/Gibson
Mills/Newley
Ingles/Barlow
Andersen/Petrie
Baynes/Nevill
For 11th and 12th going Exum and Simmons.
if Simmons isn't selected then go for broekhoff.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

Not a great squad without Jawai and Goulding, both should be there but I dare say Jawai's injury or the fact he just signed a big deal in Turkey might've seen him pullout of what is essentially a meaningless series.

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YouknowME  
Years ago

Are you sure the ABC games are the Boomers games as well and not just the opals? would have thought One HD would be the ones to show the mens...

Reply #430613 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

DW just checked, yep all games confirmed for ABC... must ask, why ABC and not One hd ?

Reply #430614 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

"The ABC commentary team will be hosted by Stephanie Brantz and feature former national superstars, Shane Heal and Rachael Sporn, along with Women's National Basketball League life member Narelle Fletcher and ABC commentator, Darren Boyd."

from http://www.basketball.net.au/index.php?id=302&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=3021&tx_ttnews[backPid]=284&cHash=3ed421a88c

Reply #430616 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

I am predicting Boomers to win both games by 30+, if it gets closer then that it will have been a tremendous effort by NZ.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

First telecast game is just highlights.... Arghhh

Reply #430627 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Unless you want to pay to see Game 1 of course.

Reply #430628 | Report this post


Mick  
Years ago

Its unfair for crocs fans that they listed luke nevill as playing for townsville when our current center rotation is russell hinder and greg vanderjagt. Just flat out cruel...

Reply #430629 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

Hold up, who is Luke signed to anyways?

Reply #430631 | Report this post


Mick  
Years ago

Free agent.

Reply #430632 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

It was surprising they correctly listed Andersen as a free agent after he was released by his team in Turkey but didn't put 'Free Agent' after Nevill's name unless they know something we all don't!

Reply #430634 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

What teams would have a spot for Nevill right now?

Reply #430636 | Report this post


Steven  
Years ago

Wildcats have spot available but more likely to go for import

Reply #430637 | Report this post


Mick  
Years ago

Pipe dream. Would make townsville instant contenders but a pipe dream.

Reply #430640 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

well, i certainly hope points caps dont keep the guy out of the league... probably the best big man in the league.

Reply #430641 | Report this post


Mick  
Years ago

I love what the big fella brings. I dont think we have seen anywhere near his best yet either due to the shitty situations hes been in on every team at each stint. Would kill to have him back. A force at both ends and a lot smarter on the cour5 than he gets credit for.

Reply #430642 | Report this post


Bball fan  
Years ago

Please please please stop mentioning Cadee's name in the same sentence as the Boomers.

Reply #430647 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

Bball fan looks like Lemanis might agree lol

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Beantown  
Years ago

Like many of you I wonder why Jawai and Goulding weren't selected. I'd personally have Goulding or even Gliddon in over Gibson, as we need some better shooters.

I like the inclusion of Exum and Simmons though, as well as the senior guys who have committed to this series, like Andersen, Ingles and Mills.

Personally, out of that squad, I'd probably leave out Ogilvy, Barlow and Gibson.

I've been really impressed with what I've seen of Bairstow and would like to see if he could matchup on Vukona in this series. I really think his hustle and extra size could be tough for Vukona to handle. My only question is if he is quick enough, but I think he might be.

Out of that squad I'd go with:

Baynes Andersen Nevill
Bairstow Petrie Simmons
Ingles Broekhoff
Mills Newley
Dellavedova Exum

For a better inside-out combo, you could also pair Andersen and Bairstow, or Baynes and Petrie.

I just like the idea of putting maximum physical pressure on the Kiwis to see if they crack though! ;-)

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Mystro  
Years ago

that team would slaughter the Tall Blacks Beantown.

Reply #430712 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

I feel for the Tall Blacks, they should get slaughtered... but its unfair to really hold it against them... this is far from there A team, there A team would be somewhat competitive

Reply #430713 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

Yeah, it would be a great series if the Tall Blacks were rocking out:

Pledger/Adams/Loe
Vukona/Anthony/Fotu
Abercrombie/Te Rangi
Penney/T Webster
C Webster/Tait

Reply #430715 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

Kirk Penney is a game changer. The NZ A team would be severely lacking in depth at a few positions but Kirk could more then make up for it. Thats a defensive job I wouldn't want!

Reply #430716 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

Small forward is the only place theyre lacking in depth, but Te Rangi is improving rapidly at might surprise.

Reply #430717 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Even at the Tall Blacks best, on paper the Boomers should smash them. But the Tall Blacks play a lot better than they look on paper.

Reply #430718 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

The Boomers on paper arent that impressive, very few guys who have a long list of achievements. Luckily the game isnt played on paper and we have a team that has been together for a little while now, and that's just as important as talent as the Tall Blacks attest.

Reply #430719 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

paul are you talking about this boomers team or our potential a team with jawai/bogut?

anyone know why jawai isnt in the team?

Reply #430720 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

Both. Aside from Bogut, Mills and Andersen, we dont have players who can really point to a lot.

There is lots of potential, and lots of good moments, but when the green and gold goggles are off and you compare it to what international players on other major teams have achieved over a long period of time our 'on paper' team isnt a lot to write home about.

Like I said though, I think we will soon get the benefit of building work that began in about 2005 and has created a really solid core of players with growing international experience, and quite a lot of talented guys on the periphery.

If Lemanis creates the right system for these guys we can achieve some good things.

Reply #430721 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

agreed, Australia has never really had a whole lot of big name guys. But when we compete well internationally, its due to having continuation through a long time, and we have that for sure.. just as we did from 88-00, if we are going to make a real medal run, Next year and 2016 are the times to do it, after that we have to do a little rebuilding once again, but still wouldnt be in bad shape.

We will have to see what Exum and Simmons become... they might help us "on paper"

Reply #430722 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

Very true, and even on the court!

Reply #430723 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

The Tall Blacks only have two players who have made done anything outside of the NBL (not including international performances) in Penney and Adams. The Boomers have multiple NBA players, college stars, Euroleague players and NBL stars. Just look at them head to head.

Bogut-Pledger (NBA starter vs NBL)
Baynes-Vukona (NBA vs NBL)
Ingles-Abercrombie (Euroleague vs NBL)
Dellavedova-Penney (NCAA vs Eurocup)
Mills-Webster (NBA vs NBL)

That's not even mentioning the teams' depths! The Tall Blacks bench has players who struggle to even make the NBL!

Reply #430726 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

This isnt a NZ v Aus thing, unless you want to aim low. But on a world scale the 'achievements' you are listing for most of the Boomers guys, deep bench roles, are not considered significant.

Reply #430727 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

Anonymous no one doubts that Australias pedigree is higher then New Zealands, I think Paul was more talking about when compared to the better Euro/USA sides. Spain, France, USA, Argentina, Lithuania, Russia, Brazil all have more formidable teams on paper.... Also consider most of our Euroleague players, whilst very good arent exactly the best players on there teams... The top Euro teams have multiple players who would be considered the best Euro player on there team. As Paul said, only Mills, Anderson, Bogut and to an extent Baynes really hit that mark.

Reply #430728 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

That first bit is all that I'm saying though, that Australia's pedigree is higher than New Zealand's. I mean look at how good Vukona, Abercrombie, Webster and Pledger are in the NBL. You don't think the majority of the Australian team would be as good, if not better in the NBL?

Reply #430729 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

"But on a world scale the 'achievements' you are listing for most of the Boomers guys, deep bench roles, are not considered significant."

It's more significant than being a role player in the NBL.

Reply #430730 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

If you scroll up a few posts and read again, you'll understand this has nothing to do with NBL role players.

Reply #430731 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

We are actually not talking specifically about the NZ/Aus series at all. Aus wins that hands down, on paper.. and most likely on court in a fortnight.

We are talking about credentials of the Australian team, Player for Player, when compared to the top 8 World Sides. (or maybe even deeper)

Reply #430732 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

I was responding to paul saying Australian players haven't achieved a lot, and yet praises the Tall Blacks players quite a bit, who have achieved much less.

Reply #430734 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

That's ok, we could see where you had misunderstood the discussion.

Reply #430735 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

Paul do you know the achievements of most the top 8 teams? like how many NBA players, status of how good euro players are etc? would be interested to see how we stack up in that department... We probably would be about 9th-10th justifiably on paper as is.

Reply #430738 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

How am I misunderstanding the discussion? Someone said the Boomers should smash the Tall Blacks on paper and you responded by saying that the Boomers aren't anything special on paper. I joined in as even though the Boomers might not be special on paper, they are still a lot better than NZ on paper (on paper, on paper, on paper :P).

Reply #430740 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

It's a mixed bag. Teams like Russia, Lithuania and Serbia have had excellent success in recent years with a number of guys who are role players at club level. Listing how many NBA players a team has is a common gauge of the Aussie media but not really a good measure of a team's capability.

It's so much more about how you play as a team. Often someone who is outstanding in a role at club level will be better filling a role internationally than a club star who isnt good enough to be a star in FIBA play.

Of course, when you get a team of guns who are willing and capable of playing the role needed of them you get a very tough mix, that's why Spain playing the US is at a level higher than any other basketball on the planet - great talent playing as a team.

Reply #430742 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

The misunderstanding I was referring too was obvious in this comment:

"I was responding to paul saying Australian players haven't achieved a lot, and yet praises the Tall Blacks players quite a bit, who have achieved much less."

Any praise for NZ is based on performance on curt, which is particularly impressive when placed alongside what is easily the least accomplishments on paper of any of the best 20 teams in the world.

Your mention of the Boomers having "college stars" is also a good example of my point that a lot of Australian fans overrate the accomplishments of our players on the wider stage.

Reply #430743 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

Good points Paul, a team can only have so many 'go to' guys... just like a recipe can only have so many prominent ingredients until the delicate tapestry becomes undone.

I do hope Exum/Simmons/Delly become NBA names... It will make us a higher profile team, if not neccesarily a better one. Would like people to talk of the Boomers as a team thats a threat, not just "probably don't sleep on them"

Reply #430744 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

I have to agree with the 'overrating' thing. Now I have seen Ryan Broekhoff and Anthony Drmic play in a few games I have acquired... I see all NBA talk, (maybe even boomer) about them is definitely overhyped.

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paul  
Years ago

There's no doubt we have the talent. There are 30-40 Aussies I feel could fill a role most competently internationally, and a select number of players with excellent skills for international basketball if used right.

The key is a system that works well for the team, and I like quite a bit of what Lemanis is doing so far. Of course, the big test will come next year, but with our familiarity, our key players coming into their prime and what looks like a more aggressive style I am hopeful.

I also think as opposed to 2010 and 2012 more of our players will be playing regular minutes in club basketball, and that is crucial.

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YouknowME  
Years ago

My worry is some of our core will be hitting mid 30's by 2016... it really is last roll of the dice for Newley/Anderson/Barlow/Wortho/Bogut

Reply #430747 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Fair enough then.

In regards to college stars, I think it's fair to say Dellavedova, Motum, Broekhoff and Drmic are (were) stars for their teams.

Reply #430748 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

Yes they are... but they are hardly playing for Duke, or North Carolina or something. They are playing for weaker teams in Div 1 usually.... If motum was putting up his numbers in a better conference he would have been an NBA pick

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paul  
Years ago

Yeah absolutely, and I dont mean to disrespect those guys, but I dont see that as all that meaningful when talking about international rosters.

The best way to make a roster look better on paper is for the Boomers to win some big games against good opponents, so let's hope we get back into that habit soon!

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Anonymous  
Years ago

Andersen, Barlow, Worthington and Newley are good players, but I don't think they create major holes in the team. If all goes to plan, Exum and Simmons would be major upgrades over Newley and Barlow.

Bogut would "only" be 32 in 2016, but with his injury history you never know what will happen. I wonder if he would be any chance of playing at the 2014 World Champs?

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Anonymous  
Years ago

They are weaker conferences yes, but they aren't the worst. They are mid level as far as I know.

You can look at the "on paper" idea different ways. On one side Dave Andersen is better "on paper" because of his accomplishments in the Euroleague and reaching the NBA. On the other, Mika Vukona is better as he has done better for his country than Dave. And I guess international performance is pretty important when talking about the international game :P

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paul  
Years ago

Yeah, let's scrunch up this bit of paper!

The Vukona/Andersen comparison is a good example of one player's role translating perfectly to the international game, while another who is better at club level is not good enough to do what he does there at the higher level.

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SoCalLobo  
Years ago

Motem played for Washington State, which is in the Pac 12, which is considered a major conference with UCLA, Arizona, etc.

Drmic plays for Boise St., which is the the Mountain West Conference, which is usually considered a major conference in basketball and last year finished with the highest RPI conference in the country and put 5 of 9 teams in the NCAA tournament.

The issue has little to do with conference and much to do with what team they play for.

The reason Bairstow seemed to come out of nowhere is because he played for one of the best teams. The other three starters with Bairstow and Greenwood were Kendall Williams, MWC Conference player of the year (over Anthony Bennett); Alex Kirk, a 7 footer who was one of the best centers in the NCAA last season and will be drafted; and Tony Snell, the 20th pick in the first round of the draft.

Bairstow and Greenwood would have been more "go-to" players on other teams but they fit in to what the team needed. You have to look beyond the box score (hard to do if you can't see the games).

Reply #430760 | Report this post


Bear  
Years ago

So true, unless you can actually analyse the game tape, box scores can be decieving. Role players are hugely underrated by those who only look from the outside in...

Reply #430767 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Bairstow is a really likeable player, does the hard yards, bangs around and also finds a way to score a few. Will be interesting to see how he goes against nz (assuming he makes it) and/ or against orher pro opponents. Where do people see him ending up playing as a pro?

Reply #430780 | Report this post


YouknowME  
Years ago

I am not sure Anonymous.... But I cant imagine there would be an NBL team who wouldnt make some room for him thats for sure

Reply #430785 | Report this post


paul  
Years ago

If the new NBL gets a team up in Brisbane as they are planning Bairstow would have to be target number one for them, super talented local boy to anchor the middle, can be marketed as Boomers player etc.

Having said that, good big men aren't that common so there could be competition from OS.

Reply #430787 | Report this post




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