Hoops

Boomers vs New Zealand, Aug 23

Ogilvy has potential – we will see where he goes in the draft, but that is only a narrow definition of basketball talent. He has shown that he is not up to senior international level yet. Last night he could not score against Alex Pledger and BJ Anthony, enough said. Tragardh and Hinder scored big on him in praccy games.

Until he can prove that he is up to the level, giving him the ball in the low block is poor offence. Anyone who watched the game on Sunday night can see that, as can anyone who watched the games against Iran last year.

So when AJ is widely considered a likely first round NBA draft pick in 2010 by Americans, it means we overrate his ability?

He dominated the U19 World Champs a few years ago with Mills in the same side. AJ was the got to player on that team and was the best inside scoring player in that tourney. He is not being overrated for the international stage. The difference is AJ is young and has a bright future ahead of him.

AJ can post up a lot better than Ando, and can also pick and pop whcih is where Andersen comes into his own.

Not saying that Ogilvy doesnt have a low post game, I am saying he is not a low post threat internationally at this stage - and potentially at any stage given his lack of physicality (see Dave Andersen).

In Australia, we have a tendency to overrate our players who are overseas.

Paul - Ogilvy is not a low-post threat? Are you kidding me? He has a very polished low-post game and I would argue has more moves than anyone else in the team at that spot. Jawai has more size and weight to use in comparison, but Ogilvy does have the moves and the touch.

I'm not defending the fact he didn't play well on ther night, but after having watched quite a few of AJ's games for Vandy I can honestly say he is a low-post weapon. I feel it is a lack of experience with the national team combined with a lack of confidence that has led to him looking out of sorts.

Yeah I read that, but I differ, especially if one is setting a pick for Ingles or Newley on the wing and the other is ready to pounce along the baseline Rogers style. Or if it’s Oscar having him sitting in the corner ready to fire or as a pick and popper.

Ogilvy isn’t a low post threat, even with a 6’6 guy guarding him, best to have him as a screener, as he seems to operate a lot better when he gets the ball going toward the basket.

Ogilvy was terrible, as he was last year for the Boomers.

I think they need to start Jawai and Baynes and use them in pick and roll situations. NZ are running Vukona and Anthony at the 4, and they both do their best work close to the basket – so going big will make it harder for them. Rotate Forman and Ogilvy in reserve for about 3 mins per quarter each.

But the offence needs to focus on Newley and Ingles, with opportunities for other players opening up off the attention they draw.

Thanks Isaac, had a feeling we might go with a small lineup like that. Am very surprised to hear that AJ started ahead of Jawai though. I guess Brown must have seen something he liked about AJ's game to elevate him like that. Anyone know why? Perhaps better defence/ picking up the team offence better?

Think I'll try to get to the pub tomorrow to watch the game and see if Brown adjusts to our rebounding problem by starting Jawai and Ogilvy, or if he feels that was an abberation and sticks with the shooting of Oscar.

Hope they stick with Jawai and keep getting him the ball in the paint. From the video clip I saw it certainly looked like Jawai has the size to exploit the Kiwis.

Terrible decision to play the game in Sydney, as born out by the pathetic attendance. BA, please play the games ANYWHERE but Sydney until they prove they deserve to watch our nation's premier basketball team.

Wish I'd known it was on last night, because I would have packed the Ashes in and gone out to watch at the pub! Sadly, with our sport being locked into Foxtel, its all too easy to miss what little advertising there is.

Good to see Ingles continue his good intl form and that Delly did a good job late on Penney. Bit concerning that we were behind for so long at home, and were out-rebounded and out-hustled. What happens if we lose to NZ across the ditch? Is there a third game, or will seedings be decided pretty arbitrarily by the points differential? Pretty poor if it is decided this way IMO.

Disappointing that Luke is not in the Boomers squad as well. He proved he can be a force last season, but I think he was still not match fit when the team was picked? If he is training well with the Sixers right now, might be a good idea to rush him in for the next game - but doubt it will happen because Brown will want to show confidence in his young bigs.

Sounds like losing Wortho really hurt Brown's team plan. Hopefully we can compensate in NZ. Can someone tell me if the idea was to use him at PF to allow Ingles and Newley to fill the two wing spots?

How did we compensate for losing Wortho on the night? Did Brown just slot Baynes or Ogilvy in to the PF slot alongside Jawai and go with Ingles and Newley at the wings as I guessed above? Or was there some other combo?

Seems to be a bit of criticism about Jawai's game, but looking at the box score, he was our only good rebounder with 11 and its pleasing to see he can get to the line and make shots with 7/8 FTs. Perhaps getting killed on the boards was more the fault of Jawai's frontcourt partners?

I would have thought it would be cheaper for Foxtel to cover the game in Melbourne now that the production of basketball has moved to Foxtel's Melbourne office.

I agree that the Bledisoe Cup, Australia vs New Zealand rivalry could have been built up and promoted.

This game would have attracted 5000+ if played in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth.

- Ingles ability to hit J's tonight was great. His defence was his greatest weakness
- Delly's defence and ball handling was outstanding- no turnovers in 21min - great for the future of the team
- The Boomers looked good when pumping the ball into the post, but Jawai tried to do too much at times and made himself look a bit silly. We also need rotations in from the weak wing for rebounds whe they fail to drop
- Rebounding was terrible - not enough boxing out or urgency
- Newley's class showed towards the end
- Forman played little if any defence
- Boomers D on a whole had plenty of holes
- Ogilvy has not spent much time with the team before and hence he looked out of it at times.
- Baynes looked solid, but only had 1 rebound which is pathetic

In any case, a new coach with a new team. The Boomers won. Remember it takes time to instill agame plan and philosphy over a team let alone a national team thatdon;t get to play together that often

Out standing effort from the Tall Blacks. Got too Penney oriented down stretch but great games from Pledger and Benny Anthony. We did a poor job defending the high pick and roll so some work to do there for Nenad.If it wasn't for individual brilliance of Ingles then Newley we would have been right in it at the end. Brett Brown has a lot to learn. Oscar will give up penetration all night. How does he get so many minutes? Delevodova was brilliant at annoying Penney and effectively took him out of the game. Jawai C+ only. Other Aussie bigs major disappointments. Pledger B+, like to see Abercrombie do a little more.

NZ played great. They killed the Boomers on the boards. Pledger was outstanding on defence. He shutdown Jawai to 5/15 FG or something terrible like that. He had the wood over Ogilvy too.

Ingles has 16 points & Jawai 11 points. It is good to see the Boomers pump the ball inside as we hardly ever saw that when Goorj was coach!

Boomers getting spanked on the glass though, we need to pick up the hustle.

There is a very small crowd!

Like a comment from Gaze: "This rims are very tight, very tight!" - that's because there has been no basketball played in Sydney for nearly 2 years!

Good link thaks...

This Saturday Night the half time entertainment sounds like fun. As a person who has a seasons tickets in the first row of the concourse I do hope that the ashers/security people are going to control the crowd who love to stop there for a chat a block our view before during half time and at the end of the game why can't spectators be made to walk around the back if they want to leave early or come late? I can not believe the number of people who pay hard earnt money to watch the best sport at the highest level in our state can not remain in their seats during the match I love basketball with a passion and wish to watch the match regardless of score etc. Control the spectors more please.