Hoops

BA responds to FIBA over tanking claim

@fstos, I like where you were heading with the 'lacking in motivation' excuse coupled with the 'any slight injury or soreness' excuse to rest players.

It is perhaps a more sophisticated and subtle way of saying we didn't really go out there to lose, but we were thinking too far ahead of ourselves and kind of dropped to ball in the Angola game, sorry about that!

The only problem is we did such a god damned awful job of it because let's face it the Boomers don't usually go out there with this scenario in front of them, it is usually win at all costs to get a better seeding.

These are not children..they don't fly on domestic flights like regular people. this is their profession not a hobby. Stop the excuses people. Baynes went through just as much travel in the nba. Fine..dont play Baynes..Ingles was tired I guess but Dova and Anderson? whats their excuse. even if the seven were not trying to loose the game the team did not compete with integrity nor did the coaches coach. I dont blame the players I blame the coach. If he would have coached with passion and maybe tried to lead the team as if it mattered, they might have won. He did not manage the game to give them a chance to win. He should be the one being scrutinized not the team

It's called an opinion.....Big Ads.

I hope those openly accusing the team, and subsequently each individual, of deliberately attempting to lose the Angola game never find themselves in the position in which they are found guilty of an act upon which innuendo, speculation, conjecture and assumption is deemed sufficient evidence to determine ones innocence.

Key members of the men's basketball program and Basketball Australia have publically stated that the team did not collude to lose the game, therefore they must be given the benefit of any doubt until there is irrefutable proof to the contrary.

Until then, if ever, spare your wraith for those who are found guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

As much as I understand why the Boomers did what they did, I really didn't like seeing them do it. Its a blight on what should be a showcase for basketball and it must be eliminated before the next tournament.

I just hope that someone at FIBA uses their brains and adopts the system of drawing round of 16 opponents randomly as per Boti's suggestion. This will ensure all teams strive for the highest possible seed in their group and eliminate the need for teams to throw games.

@Skull, the bitch isn't resting a couple of players ....it was the blatant non-effort.

The core of this issue is did we intentionally go out to lose ....to me the answer is yes.

It is a shitty thing to do and if other countries choose to do it ....well guess what? - it's still a shitty thing to do.

It's a bigger issue than the LTU win, much bigger - damaging to our culture, damaging to our national reputation and BA need to act.

couldn't disagree more Mick.

Normally I like reading your knowledgeable and informative posts,on this occasion I'm totally confused as to what flag you are flying...
Please explain to me what your posts would read if Lemanis had played Baynes or Ingles and they got injured?? Let me guess...sack Lemanis?
Even if mistakes were made....even if as a coaching group wrong calls were made even if we honestly rested players and got beaten, just stop banging on about it ffs.
What about the game against Lithuania, in my opinion the greatest game ever by a boomers team...why not talk about that?

Have a read of what Boti has to say..... at last someone with something sensible to say !!

there are only 2 medals available....silver & bronze, do the math....do you want one or not??

Finishing second should NEVER be worse than finishing third. Whose fault is this?

Not that FIBA would go after every team that tanks.

We're an easy target far away from the European centres of power. They'd never go after a Lithuania or a Serbia, for example

get of your soap box mick.

generic investigation warrants generic response

Also, think that the SLO coach and Goran Dragic should be cited for their conduct on social media...

Like the stance by BA.

Would love to see the full response!

I just think that the way FIBA went about this and the words that they used were totally inappropriate and in fact inflammatory.

Obvious response really, no country would admit to throwing a game, nor should they!

It apparently all started with the accusing social media pipe from the Slova' coach, maybe FIBA should have just shut him down and done the rest behind closed doors, agree would have looked more professional for the sport and better for AUS.

Once the cat is out of the bag it is well and truly out...

They will flex their muscle and make threats that it had better not happen again or else, end!