Hoops

Boomers v Slovenia

Great to finally get a result. We will now watch with interest on the team makeup for the NZ series.

As it is likely a replacement will be needed for Exum is the door now open for Mills if available.

Yeah, the Jawai experiment is not working and Bairstow is not doing much either. We need to take care of business against NZ and we are taking a big risk not having reliable back-up bigs to support Bogut and Andersen. I want to see an experienced, proven big man that I know can defend the pick and roll and protect the paint. Doesn't matter about the future. We need a guy who will help us win the NZ series. The more I think about it, the more I think Matt Knight should be the guy. He is much better than Ogilvy defensively and knows the games of most of the NZ players.

At least we finally got a win! Since we've lost Exum, I really hope we can bring Mills back in for the NZ series. I'd like to see Jawai replaced by a more mobile big man who has a proven record against NZ at NBL level as well. Ogilvy, DJ, Khazzouh, even Matt Knight... just a dependable big man to spell Bogut.

Watching that game I'm far less concerned than just seeing the numbers on paper.
Delly's main issue for mine is when he tries too hard to force the offence. With our full team he won't need to do that, so he can settle back into doing what he does best.

Agree with the comments about Exum. It's not fair to count on anyone that young for major production. My worry is more about what he will become down the track. What aspect of his game is going to be elite?

Anyway, the important players played pretty much as expected IMO. The Slovenians sure can shoot a basketball if the D lapses.

Looking forward to game 2 tomorrow.

I'm a bit concerned about Dellavedova too at this point. I love his heart, but at the end of the day, if he can't hit the side of a barn or beat his man off the dribble, then it tends to hurt our offence.

If Mills shows he is able to get us into our offence, I'd be pretty tempted to start Ingles at SG so I could squeeze Broekhoff into the starting lineup. His outside shot is so valuable to this team, but he also plays good D, he can hold his own defending the post if he gets caught on a switch, he rebounds well and he is even forcing a few turnovers!

With Motum, Broekhoff and Mills all able to shoot, you can put the ball in Ingles hands, let him play pick and roll with Bogut and find the open shot off that. That'll work even better once Exum is ready to run the point instead of Ingles!

Just watched the game.

Seem to me that Australia didn't really want to win that badly. Bogut only playing 8mins. We were in control when Bogut was on the floor.

Some things I noticed.

Australia playing a lot of Flex.

Passing inside and ball movement was good.

Outside shooting was just ok but Slovenia was awesome.

Bairstow needs minutes, seem to be very rusty from sitting on the bench all season.

Jawai is over weight and can't defend on the outside.

Brockoff offensive rebounding, defense and cutting was excellent.

Martin D was excellent just can't score but we all knew that.

Golding defense was useless and his offense didn't equal what you lose in defense.

Gibson was just ok. Did nothing wrong or right.

Exum for me needs to have more purpose in his offense. Yes, he is reading to the defense but he isn't moving the defense.

Bogut's rebounding, blocks and inside offense was world class.

Anderson was ok. Would like for him to set up/back screens and pop out for 3's.

Delly defense, catch and shoot and passing was world class. Seems to force too much when driving to the basket.


Newely was ok.

I must admit, I am a little concerned too like Cram and may others.

NZ are doing very well in their warm up games against similar opposition and are gelling well and carrying some nice form. Fact is, we are not.

Yes I think we al realise that there is a second chance if we lose against NZ.

BUT getting through the qualifying tournament is a quantum leap tougher than beating a NZ team without Adams and a retired Penney in a 2 game H&A series.

Did you read my post. I realise he is playing rotations but when does he find out IF those rotations when put into the real life game plan with real life minutes will win.

With that distribution of minutes the real units and rotations have little actual game time playing together. Again understandable early on but to me not so much later.

There is also a lot to be said about a winning culture and being well practiced in what it takes to close out a tight game.

We have had no opportunity to put any of that to practice.

The thing is if we beat NZ all will be fine but again our real risk is to be out executed and so that should be our focus.

This is getting a little worrying and also perplexing on face value. I have not been able to watch any games so can only look at results and box scores.

I would like to know what Lemanis and the coaching staff wish to get out of this tour.

All I know is that we have 2 MUST WIN games against NZ soon and have a far better team "on paper". For us to lose NZ will need to play better as a team and fully understand their roles.

How does one achieve better team work. My educated guess is that they practice scrimmage among themselves and then against opposition of various calibre.

So why are we apparently still fart arsing around with different combos and roles when we only have (1?)game left now to put it together and hope it works.

Has Lemanis decided on who our go to guys are? If so without trying it how does he know it will work when the crunch comes against NZ? Is he holding Exum or others back for the NZ game or is this his role? How will the first and second unit rotations play together? Is he holding back plays/systems for fear of being scouted?

FFS NZ aren't trying to hide the fact that Webster is the man. They appear to be getting him well and truly familiar with his role and will be well practiced with him being defended as such once the real stuff starts.

If he is not doing any of the things that I suggested and we are going all out with our best then we are in trouble.

If as I believe on face value we are stuffing around with some sort of secret clandestine stuff he is overthinking things and we may be still in trouble.

Don't even get me started on Mills' omission.

It just has to be coaching... with the quality of players we have, we should not still be looking so inept on both ends of the court, and that goes right back through the FIBA tourney.

‏@BasketballAus
WATCH Boomers v Slovenia, Game 1, replayed on @FOXSportsAUS 3 TONIGHT at 8:30pm AEST. Check guides.

Ah thanks GWB, I only just found game 1 and am watching it now. How did you think Exum played? Did he show signs of the aggression he showed in Summer League, or was he back to being the good team-mate, deferring to his elders?

Any news on whether Dante will play in this one?