Hoops

Game 1: Australia vs China (Sino-Aus Challenge)

Sure, Wortho has had the better overall career, but these days he couldn't hit the side of a barn and has no lift to get his shot off in the paint. Petrie isn't a great shooter, but at least you can rely on him to knock down an open shot when he is wide open! Defensive harassment is all well and good, but if the other team can basically ignore you on offence, then the benefits are largely negated IMO.

Paul, I thought Wortho played a good disruptive role to help get us back in the game vs the Chinese, but they really aren't a very good team. My memory is that against more experienced, better opposition that Wortho was unable to have an impact in the past.

I'd definitely go with Petrie for that role over Worthington for the moment. Ideally, Simmons will come along sooner rather than later and can play the mobile big role anyway.

I think Nevill should get some consideration for the Worlds team if Bogut doesn't play. He's probably competing with Jawai for the last big man spot IMO, behind Baynes, Andersen and Bairstow. (I could be jumping the gun with Bairstow, but I have really been super-impressed with his hustle and agility for his size - which puts him ahead of Nevill and Jawai in my eyes).

Maybe I had lower expectations for Motum, but I thought he showed some good potential in his first Boomers game. He's very quick and agile for his size and clever at getting off his shot too. I liked the competitive fire he showed as well. Time will tell if he can improve defensively and if he can get his shot off against better opponents around the basket. I think there's a possibility he could slide into the 12th spot though for the Worlds.

Anyone know if Broekhoff will get a chance to suit up for the Boomers before the Worlds? I'd like to see what he can offer too.

They had this out at Challenge Stadium where the Wildcats played for a long time.

This decision made no sense

A) Its hard to get out there at the best of times by public transport

B) Parking is limited

C) The facilties are well... not great by any standard nowadays.

Game 1 Recap is now up on PnR site:

2014 Sino-Australia Challenge: Boomers come from behind to steal game 1

Lucas Walker was a surprise inclusion in a new-look Australian Boomers team that began their four-game Sino-Australia series against a young Chinese team in Perth. 45 minutes after tip-off, it was Walker’s athleticism and tenacity that had helped catapult the Boomers to an improbable 97-95 overtime victory.

Great second half comeback!

Without Nevill, the game would have been over by half time.

As the game wore on, Walker, Motum and Madgen got better and better. Martin was solid, although I also liked the team better within Greenwood on court rather than Martin as he was the better play maker.

Emotionless first half by the Aussies, and then the Aussie spirit and fire kicked came to the fore in the second half, in part thanks to Wortho.

That was a difficult game at times to watch and although I'm glad we ultimately got the win, the cohesion and tentativeness was brutal in the first half with the exception being Nevill that didn't get the minutes he deserved.

I thought Steindl did some nice things throughout and Walker was more than handy and Wortho trying to intimidate the Chinese in the 3rd really lit the spark in us.

Hopefully we don't need that next game but I'd be very interested in who starts in game 2.

Chinese were far better than the crowd (went to a sino game last year and the crowd was nothing compared to Wildcats games except for the close finish). I'm not sure what agreement Perth have to host these games but I certainly wouldn't attend another. Far too many nervous players that are intimidated by the Boomers jersey!

Sorry anon 6657 but you're nuts if you think Motum was dominated. He was actually close to the only Boomer who looked a serious threat to score every time touched the ball. I hope Lemanis starts him alongside Walker and Neville next game.

Good heart shown by the guys to pull this game out. Boy was it amateur hour from the Chinese in the last few minutes tho!

Interesting half time stats. Neither team had committed a turnover apparently yet I recalled seeing at least four.

(9/20)

Hopefully big Nate is ready to step in next game because this team is really struggling so far. Hopefully our guys can lock in a bit better mentally in the 2nd half. Far too many defensive breakdowns and no cohesion or purpose on offence.

Jawai has been training with the team in the lead up to this game.

Chinese looked too organized and too polished in first half.

Australia looked disorganized.

Better started to 2nd half so far.

Crazy starting lineup! Way too small against a big Chinese lineup. Brock Motum has looked good so far that's about it

Nate Jawai on the bench was good to see.

So Perth basketball fans "Where the ell are ya?"

ABC commentator "A reasonable crowd here at Challenge Stadium"

Nice try.

(8/20)

China's team is massive - 9 of their team are over 200cm. Their length is causing the Aussies some trouble.

Not sure of any online streams.

Starters: Greenwood, Madgen, Walker, Worthington & Brandt.

15min to tip-off people.

Tune into ABC2 from 10:25pm AEST.