Hoops

Boomers v Lithuania Game Thread *spoilers*

Dana, the Lithuanians DID play their best team in the first half. I remember checking at half time and guys like Jasikevicius, Siskauskas and Kleiza all played most of their minutes while Australia was breaking the game open. Kaukenas also played most of the game and he is no slouch.

Also, don't forget that Australia only played several key guys for similar minutes to the Lithuanians: Bogut (16 mins), Mills (17), Bruton & Anstey (18). In fact, Jasikevicius played 20 mins, which is more than everyone on the Aussie team bar Newley and Barlow!

Mods, they did use their best players. I was wondering the same thing as you early on when I only had the box score. Then I watched the game. We came out and stomped on them from the outset. They tried hard to get back into it, but never managed to bridge the gap.

B Fresh, you're right, we did look a bit shaky at times when the Lithuanians trapped in the 2nd half. But the good thing is, that was when the only ball handler on the court was Mills, and we were playing mostly bench players. If the game had been close, CJ would have been back in along with Bogut. I'm pretty confident Mills and CJ can handle most full court pressure situations. CJ didn't score a lot today, but I have been really impressed with how assured he has looked with the ball as the tournament has worn on.

Great job by the Boomers today. Everyone was so switched on from the word go and just jumped all over the Lithuanians. I wonder what the Lithuanian word is for bushwhacked?!?!

Bogut was almost toying with the opposing bigs, scoring every which way. The guys got up and harassed the Lithuanians all game long, closing down angles and reading passes to get deflections and steals.

On offence, our guys were so energetic and aggressive with their movement - constant cuts to the basket and good screens on every possession - it was a pleasure to watch.

Basketball Australia should make this game mandatory viewing before the first game of EVERY intl tournament from now on. That'll remind the team of the level they need to play at from game one! If they'd done that, we might be playing Greece or China in the next game instead of the US!

Still, overall, we have taken a BIG step forward from the last Olympics and the future looks bright with this group. Hopefully we can even add a healthy Mackinnon, Jawai and Ogilvy for the Worlds in 2 years as well!

An amazing result, great shooting and really good looks on cuts and feeds in to the big men. What really impressed me though was the pressure we applied with our defence, something which has been lacking in past games. Doubling down on posts, getting hands in lanes and good transition all resulted by showing a bit of hustle.

We look so much more complete with Bruton and Bogut playing well. That alley oop between the two pretty much made my week, and its only monday!

The only concern I had was when Lithuania began playing a press we looked a bit shaky and turned the ball over a few times. If we falter like that against the US we could be in a world of pain, as they have such a strong defensive and transition game.

Interesting to see how we fair in the medal round. Im sure the performance today would be met with surprise and caution by all the remaining teams.

Channel 7 are once again treating their viewers with contempt. Sandy Roberts just tiold us that "The boomers just played thier best first half of basketball since arriving in Beijing", which was great. However the way he was speaking was to say that it was live and that they would be returning "after" the half time break. Um, it is a replay - hyalf time has already come and gone (as has the final score!) - don't lie!
A sense another letter of compalint coming on - it would be by 5th complaint letter since the Olymics started.

Goddamn it, I so wish I was watching this instead of being stuck at work /angry

It is on 7 now.

Channel 7 could have shown the last quarter, live, but instead chose to show the athletics heats.
Understand about the Triathlong, but surely we could have been allowed to watch the last quarter?

Boomers won by 31 points - 106-75.
Amazing shooting effort by the boomers - 16/25 from downtown is hot in any language.
Bogut had 23 pionits in 16 minutes in a game where everyone scored for the Boomers.
Lithuania would be pretty emabarassed after that game.
The LTU monkey is now off the Aussie's back!
Now - can we shoot that well against the USA and steal a win. The USA are due for a shocker aren't they?

any live streaming guys??