Is it a surprise bolden wasn't picked?

Where's Gliddon?

People saying sobey and gliddon. Lemanis isn't coaching. You don’t need scoring power on that team. Not that Norton will get picked. Only listed as a defensive player. Same reason Martin got picked for all those squads

I understand not bothering with Sobey as he plays the PG role incorrectly like a ball hog under Lemanis who seems to be ok with it. Nearly cost the Bullets a win last weekend.

They do need consistent perimeter power, we still don't have good replacements for Joe and Patty, plenty of all around players but not good shooters. Also several injured and not playing which may be a good but usually a bad thing, hope Broekhoff finds some place to play, this team needs him.

Wheres Gliddon Moller and Adnam?

Gliddon = power.

^my comment was re shooting power not any names, Gliddon is not even a shadow of former himself, so didn't expect him to be part of it. I think this is kinda glory or bust approach, it will be interesting to see how much time they will have together to gel under Goorj.

Gliddon = shooting power. 25% is now classified as power. Sorry, shooting power.

Some great options for this edition of the Boomers if everyone is available and we get to see an eventual Olympics campaign.

Some people making some surprising decisions with their Boomers teams, either prizing guys who are less talented than others (Creek over Thybulle?) or going young for no real reason.

For me, this could be the greatest shot we ever have to medal. I am all for pushing the program forward but at some point you have to decide this is our chance, and stack all 12 spots with guys who can get the job done TODAY.

That means for me, no Giddey, Green, Maker (not young anymore but still a project) , White or Magnay.

In the team I choose, I take runs on the board ahead of whether or not you've dipped a toe into the NBA. I prize shooting above defense in some spots, only because I know we have plenty of top-end defenders already.

This is the team I am riding with -

MY team -
Baynes/Humphries
Simmons/landale/motum
Ingles/broekhoff/ thybulle
Mills/ Goulding
Delly/Exum

I like it, ME

Jonah Bolden gets a snub after his behaviour last year...

I think Bolden has done his dash with the Boomers or he'd be in the camp. And I am totally here for that. I don't care what his reasons were, if you leave your national team high and dry on the eve of a major tournament, you don't deserve the privilege of being called back again.

I'd say the lack of bolden would more be due to he hasn’t professional basketball ever since his 10 day with the suns expired, which happened before COVID got the NBA, so likely (and understandably) Goorj is probably wondering if the guy is even in game shape as that was almost a year ago

Bit surprised at no mathiang or white, but thankfully no gliddon or sobey

hasn't played*^

That squad, did all those players actually nominate?

Not that it means much, just wondering

Is it really surprising Jack White isnt there? His last year at Duke was hardly inspiring. He has been going pretty well so far in the NBL, but still early days. If he keeps going like he is, hew will get his shot.

Is it really surprising Jack White isnt there? His last year at Duke was hardly inspiring. He has been going pretty well so far in the NBL, but still early days. If he keeps going like he is, hew will get his shot.

Last I heard. (without reading news.com article),
No crowd, no audience, athletes to go home after their event, rather than stay in a village, is what they'll go forward with.

Simmons
Mills
Baynes
Landale
Ingles

Dellavedova
Exum
Humphries
Magnay
Broekhoff

Green
Maker

Bit excitable on Humphries! Don't think he's in the Boomers strongest 10-12

Humphries walks onto the Boomers team in current form. As for Thon Maker, he is still a project an NBA level. People think he's better than players in other leagues solely for being in the NBA, but he's in the NBA on potential alone, not what he can actually do today, which is actually pretty modest in the scheme of things.

Humphries makes my team, Maker does not.

Not so simple re naturalisation rule, don't think BA wants to apply for exemption in this case:

21. a. A national team participating in a Competition of FIBA may have only one player on its team who has acquired the legal nationality of that country by naturalisation or by any other means after having reached the age of sixteen (16). This provision applies also to any player having the right to acquire a second nationality at birth but who did not lay claim to this right until after having reached the age of sixteen (16).

b. For purposes of letter (a) above and in the event of doubts, any player claiming to have acquired a legal nationality before having reached the age of sixteen (16), without presenting the respective passport with a date of issue before the player's sixteenth birthday, requires a decision by the Secretary General confirming that he does not fall under the restriction of letter (a) above. In taking this decision the Secretary General shall take into account the following criteria:
- the number of years during which the player has lived in the country, for the national team of which he wishes to play;
- the number of seasons during which the player has participated in domestic
competitions in the country of the national team for which he wishes to play;
- any other criteria capable of establishing a significant link between the player and the country, for the national team of which he wishes to play.

Simmons/Dellavedova/Exum
Mills/Thybulle/Goulding
Ingles/Broekhoff
Maker/Landale
Baynes/Reath

Long
Athletic
Defensively strong
Surrounded Simmons with shooters

For those that don't think maker will make the team or even worse (don’t deserve a spot in the larger squad) really are kidding themselves. It’s one thing to think he’s not good enough to make the team, but this notion of 'he isn’t doing well in the nba, so therefore he doesn’t deserve a spot’ is just silly. If we were to operate by this logic then guys like broekhoff, exum and delly shouldn’t be included. So considering the nba is by far a superior league to the nbl, let’s just remember that a lot of talented players haven’t been able to get a good gig or even crack at the nba, so just because maker was an end of rotation or even end of bench guy in the best league in the world shouldn’t automatically disqualify him. As stated, if we went by this logic several talented aussies shouldn’t get a gig, and let’s keep in mind the guys in the nbl who couldn’t get a rotation or end up bench spot for the time maker has like creek and humphries. However it does worry me that the guy was cut and may not be in game shape so I could see that holding him back.

The same applies towards green and Thybulle, as considering the clowns on here had way to early reactions at Thybulle not getting game time even tho philly is currently one of the best teams in the league and he has since been getting more and more minutes, let alone he’s an elite level nba defender and solid 3 point shooter, and if Damian Martin can make Olympic roster, then Thybulle should sure as hell too.

Musk, it's not necessarily what minutes he's playing in the NBA as it is what he can or can't actually do.

Long, athletic, can run like a gazelle and hit the occasional three pointer, but isn't a lock down defender, is inconsistent, still is raw as all hell, hasn't shown he can put it together yet. He is still a project.

He also is lean still and will get outbodied for rebounds, as he does in the NBA.

I am not saying he absolutely can't make the team, or that he absolutely shouldn't. If Goorjian believes he fits the team then I support it. But he doesn't make the team in my view at this particular point.

As for Thybulle... he walks onto the Boomers if he's available. Once again, it's about his tools, not his playing time.

Mangok Mathiang is still currently out of action recovering from a broken leg. He will not be ready in time for selection hence his omission. He would be an obvious centre to come in after Tokyo.

As others have said, Bolden dug his own hole in walking out prior to the World Cup. It is up to him to mend/build relationships, not the other way around. Plus he has not played in 12 months, and currently does not even have a team!

As someone else said earlier: this is the big chance for the Boomers to not only win a first medal, but it actually could be gold!

You go with your absolute best, and have cover in all positions, and those picked must all buy-into the team first mentality and Boomers culture which is always talked about. Realistically, spots 11 and 12 are bench warmers, but are an insurance policy to cover any possible injury.

Only need to play 6 games to win a medal in Tokyo as opposed to the World Cup.

Boomers Team USA Spain hub in Vegas

PG - Simmons/Delly/Exum
SG - Mills/Thybulle/Green
SF - Ingles/Broekhoff/Creek
PF - Reath/Motum/Maker
C - Baynes/Landale/Humphrie

It's interesting to me that Bolden doesn't even have a team. He isn't injured. He is talented. He can play. Says to me he thinks maybe he's better than he is, and isn't willing to take some humble pie and play in the NBL for a bit, because without doubt teams would have thrown deals at him.

What is he going to do now, quit basketball? Weird situation. I think it speaks to his character, or lackthereof.

That's my top 3 from each position, likely Exum will be injured, Simmons wont play, Maker who knows, Reath who knows, Green who knows.

Is that OK fuccboi?

Don't be a patronising cxnt and you won't get abused. Simple.

My point being ME and anons is that we judging maker's tools off his nba experience, and to simply do that is silly as there are plenty of guys who are in the nba and not in the nba that could be decent contributors to the boomers, but once they try their hand at the nba they don’t get a run or aren’t as featured like they are internationally. And to say we judge him off his last boomers experience that was 2-3 years ago at this point. And if we simply go off the tools argument then delly shouldn’t get a gig as in the nba despite being a good defender, he’s honestly a bad offensive player. Again not trying to say he’ll be a lock for the team, but the blanket statement of 'not doing a anything in the nba, so shouldn’t get a spot’ is just foolish as we’d be judging his tools by nba level, and again if we did the same for a creek, broekhoff or even humphries, then what does that say about them that they’re not in the league. Maker has been in the league since 2015 (only got cut just now) so he’s had a run there a lot longer then a whole bunch of other aussies. Also to the clown who said froling should get a gig instead needs to just stop

It's quite concerning that Goorjian didn't select Bolden. Going from a World Cup selection to not even making the 25. You'd think Bolden would be doing whatever he can to restore his reputation considering his history as a primadonna/quitter, remembering that he also quit college for similar reasons. It's not like he's only behaved like this in the national program.

Don't be sorry hoe, be careful.

I'd have Sobey before Mitch Norton. Jack White probably a bit stiff as well but the nucleus for a medal is all there!
It will be a fiery training camp for spots & we have the right guy calling the shots.

Can't wait

I'm a poet & i didn't know it!

Warrior in real life mayne.

This guy. Meet up please. Send location please.

I agree with Orbit that both Sobey and White ahead of Norton & WMW. Both Sobey & White outstanding in there NBL roles, so far.

Sobey, cos he's done so much right and really deserves a senior spot in future teams. Just needs to add some height. White has all the signs of a future Boomer too imo. Will McD-W will be there as well but I'd be including White now. Let's face it, these guys should not make the team anyway so this discussion of possible 15's to 24's on the squad means little for now.

Congrats to all who made that list, the few who couldn't be included (eg Cotton) and the ones just missing out.

Considering we'll hopefully have better depth at the pg spot (hope delly and his concussion can get sorted) with delly, exum and even mills, simmons and ingles as ball handlers it’s not really a surprise that Sobey isn’t included as he’s more of a scoring 2 guard than a traditional point so he’s not making it ahead of delly, exum or mills. Should he have made the larger squad? Yeah probably, but considering he was only picked at the wc due to being thin at guard depth (and lemanis doing his bullets players a favour along with trying to get as many nbl guys in as possible), which is something we won’t be this time round, it’s honestly not that surprising

I have great confidence that Goorjian will make the right choices for the team. What he's done with the Hawks has been phenomenal, and his experience and intellect in the game is second to none in Australian basketball. I am more confident in Goorjian than I would have been with Brett Brown.

Whatever team Goorjian picks, I back them 100 percent. If we have the kind of availability we should have, this team is going to be an absolute problem for the world.

My prediction for our squad:

Delly / Giddey
Mills / Goulding
Ingles / Thybulle
Landale / Broekoff
Baynes / Maker

Green / Kay (could replace with Humphries or Magnay)

I'd love Simmons to be in the team but I think he will pull out. I honestly don't think he has a passion for the national team. Saying he's hopeful he can play doesn't fill me with confidence given he said he would play in 2019 and never did.

Exum is in a contract year and perpetually injured. I assume he opts out given the injury he sustained last time with the national team. He won't risk an injury when he has no playing contract.

With no Simmons or Exum and Cotton not being available, we have very little depth at guard. I hope Delly can recover from his concussion in time. I think Giddey can be serviceable as a backup PG. They'll probably need to stagger Delly's and Mills' minutes at PG.

Goulding wins the last man standing award for backup SG but loses his spot if Cotton becomes available.

Kay could be replaced with someone who can play backup C but he did play very well at the FIBA WC.

Thybulle is an SG.

C Baynes/Maker
F Landale/Motum/Kay
F Ingles/Broekhoff
G Mills/Thybulle/Goulding
G Delly/Giddey

That's a team of 12 where you’d use a rotation of 8 really. Delly and Mills both PGs, Giddey limited time - Goulding do his normal role. Motum, Kay limited minutes

That's what Broekhoff, Mills, Ingles, Goulding are for

DJ couldn't defend a traffic cone

Anon - Reply #830823 I don't understand people like you, you made a stupid comment, then you don't want people to react. You need a good thrashing.

DJ couldn't defend in under 18s, damn sure can't defend now.

"0h GiV3 mE A tHrAshINg B1g b0i" - Karen

I'd pick Duop Reath over all them (Kay, Cooks, Johnson, Humphries).

This is a pretty solid squad with only a couple probably debate worthy.

Daniel Johnson has shown for a long time that he is good enough to at least be in the squad. There must be something that none of us know why he doesn't get selected. (Don't say defence, if it was that bad he wouldn't be on the court dominating the NBL)

DJ Vasljevic, I think, is more ready right now than Josh Giddey. The selection might be based on development for future or some other reason...

Coming off the bench........... So? Johnson, Humphries and Cooks would all come off the bench behind Kuzmic (and O'Bryant for that matter).

A great advert - channel 7 showing Olympics July.
(Kinda missed NBL games. Nothing for a coupla days.
It's always lonely where I am.)

We know exactly why he was on the outer with the Boomers for many years. PK wrote an article about it back in 2018.

And we know he was right, because when Kickert was suspended after the Philippines brawl, who came into the team? DJ.

Imagine trying to get this squad down to 12 let alone manage the minutes during tight games. I've also got more faith in Goorg than BB.

Is it because DJ always looks pissed off that he can't get a guernsey?

You've all picked CG but i reckon his chances with Goorg will be slim just like James Harvey could never impress him.

The way to beat these Euro teams ( & yanks) is length & athleticism.

Simmo will play unless Covid kills off the NBA.

Fun times ahead...

If we have good availability, some tough choices to be made. Boomers never looked so strong.

Really hoping Delly's concussion issues get under control, and hope Simmons plays. Great balance at point.

Hunphries form has me confident he'll be a decent back up 5.

Lots of talent and options on the wings and 4 spot. I like it.

Chris Goulding showed last night why he's on my main Boomers' team. Outside of Ben Simmons and Patty Mills, there aren't any other Aussies who can just take over a game the way he can. Defensive short comings aside - and even those can be mitigated as shown at the world cup - you need bucket-getters on this team and Chris Goulding has the ability and arrogance to create his own shot from nothing.

Don't like flop artist Goulding.

But I am an advocate for Goulding to do what he did during the World Cup. I am hopeful he can repeat it - he had the toughest job. To not have consistent minutes, to go into the court cold and knock down shots efficiently and straight away. He won’t have the opportunity to have the ball through his hands or take shots to get into rhythm Harden style, he had to get on the floor, and knock down the few shots he gets to take, use the advantage of defence that will underrate him or decide to use him as a trade off to put more defence into a star. If teams decide to "take the hit" from what he does, then punish them. That’s true depth and what makes a good team. Weapons everywhere.

He then needs to annoy the hell out of the opposition whilst in defence, put the effort in to get into their face, surprise them, force the turn over, force the travel etc. Keep them on their toes, make them pay attention, make the game tedious for them, don’t let them relax whilst a star is on the bench.

He did exactly those things in the World Cup - that is peak benchie value-add.

... and what are his good points?
(much as I also am not a fan of CG43, got to respect what he does. Like bury the Bullets last night. Wait, that's my team, no wonder!)

If Broeffhoff doesn't play & Goulding keeps playing like he did last night he should be right. These blokes not playing not helping their chances!

Unlikely Cotton will be eligible in time so leave him out.

Deng Adel shouldn't be considered.
Neither should Cooks(injured), Thon Maker (No good) and Mitch Creek.
Exum is still injured so wouldn't take him.
For those wanting Jack White his injury has rendered him unavailable anyway.
I assume Reath, Norton and McDowell White are there to make up training numbers.

That would leave 16 remaining in the squad.