*that coming

Seriously? Kay is one of the most important players we have, there is no one else who can do what he does both defensively and on the glass at the 4-spot. He is a rare talent.

I don't see who you'd drop to bring him in though. I mean, Bolden would have to be a lock. Motum would be close enough to a lock. Do you instead opt against bringing in Landale so you can have another 4? I'd say this is probably a battle between Motum and Kay for the backup four spot, and with shooting an absolute necessity for this team I probably don't like Nick's chances.

"classic tweener who does well in NBL but has no position internationally"

He's not a tweener at all, he is a 4 at NBL or international level. Lemanis had been wanting a versatile, defensive-minded, rebounding PF like Kay since he took over the Boomers job.

"Yes, I especially enjoyed his 'dominance' of Japan on 4/19 shooting, in what was our first ever loss in Asia. A 'rare talent' indeed!"

Players can have bad games, ya know. Name the player and I'll go find you an equally bad game they've played.

"Dellavedova, Sobey
Mills, Goulding
Inglis, Creek
Bolden, Motum, Kay
Bogut, Bayes, Landale "

I like this line up but Lemanis always goes for more guards than forwards for the Boomers.

Kay's not making a Boomers team over Bolden or Motum come on. It's Aussie tradition to err on the side of an extra guard than a forward.

Pop has been playing Mills at the 1 a lot more. Ingles also plays PG on offence during some rotations with the jazz.

All our guards are capable of playing the one spot if needed, especially against the 2nd and 3rd options when they will get used anyway

Not sure how you figure him as a "tweener"?
Yes, he can play the 5 in the NBL if NEEDED, and does a few minutes here and there, but he plays predominately in his natural position of PF. Same role he plays internationally.

He's there to keep the others honest, and that's what he's doing.

What are the injury rules for the WC? If somebody goes down during the tourney, can they be replaced in the squad?

Any info on Simmons during training? A read a report that he was training with the Boomers team.

Why would Kay starting at World's be that bad? If he wears some fouls by overzealous refereeing trying to dictate how they want the game to be called and we spare say Bogut picking up some early cheap fouls then I'm all for it.

Against Spain in Olympic bronze medal playoff Bogut fouled out with 5 minutes to go in the game, what we would do to get some early fouls on a Kay type and have Bogut on during clutch time...

Also I don't think Kay would embarrass himself and if he does then we have quality bigs to replace him with on the court. I also think that Kay wouldn't be shooting bad shots if he was out there with Delly, Mills, Ingles and Baynes.

In Rio we had Andersen, Motum and Bairstow playing the 4. Is Kay really any downgrade athletically on Bairstow and Andersen? Any downgrade defensively? Kay is similar in size to Bairstow. Size is important, but it doesn't matter if you don't use it. Kay is superior than all these guys on the glass. He offers stretch 4 abilities with a very impressive 44% from behind the 3-point line last season. Andersen's role was very important in Rio, and his shooting was a huge part of that, so if Kay is still hitting 3s like he did last season, he might actually be an upgrade on Andersen because he can shoot at an equivalently high clip while offering more in rebounding and defense.

Don't compare Nick bloody Kay to David Andersen in respect to what they've done on the international stage. Sure Andersen isn't Boomers quality now but in his younger years he carried us in some of the big senior tournaments, Kay's never even played a game at the WC or Olympics.

I think we will have to come to terms with the fact that Nick Kay is on the team very soon. NBL just released another video from the camp and they're talking about Nick Kay once again. He's obviously been a revelation in camp and it would be a surprise now if he didn't make it.

Who is giving up their spot to him though? Motum? Landale? Bolden?

No way Bolden loses his spot. Plays 3 positions and is a legitimate threat in all of them. Rebounds, shoots the ball, plays D. Would think he's one of the first in.

Yes, I especially enjoyed his 'dominance' of Japan on 4/19 shooting, in what was our first ever loss in Asia. A 'rare talent' indeed!

I don't know, but I'd have thought that part of the reason for this training, and the practice games, is to get the team clicking and to make sure that we send the best 12, based on current form?

Perhaps this is the opportunity to actually compare players, rather than try to evaluate performances in disparate leagues?

Maybe, on that basis, Kay deserves a shot?

I mean, what do they mean by "dominates"? If he's consistently outplaying some of the bigger names, maybe that says something?

Personally, I would like to see players rewarded for their ability, as opposed to sucking up to Lemanis like Sobey and Spuddee.

Zodiac, in no way am I disparaging Andersen. I've repeatedly claimed that Andersen has been underrated by Australian basketball fans, especially in his terrific commitment to the Boomers team. I'm just comparing Kay 2019 to Andersen 2016, in which case I see that Kay, on paper, might be able to offer more. Would I take Kay 2019 over Andersen 2016? Probably not. Andersen's experience at high levels, in big events, for a long time is a crucial advantage.