Hoops

Will any Australian NBL players make Rio 2016?

Paul, you've lost me when you say you don't think Exum makes it on talent. I think it's his talent and potential that put him in the team. If you said he doesn't make it on skill level yet, then I can see where you're coming from (though I don't agree). Personally, I think the only things holding him back are a consistent jumpshot, loose handles and most importantly... CONFIDENCE!

Yeah, the difference between him and previous aussies is that he may turn out to be good enough to make that team. Let's not risk it. Just give his NBA team an assurance that he will only play the first 30 seconds of one match and I'm happy to go with an 11 man roster for the sake of locking him in ;)

Something to think about: should we go out of our way to lock in Ben Simmons for Australia right now?

After a couple of years in the U.S. he might start thinking about playing for them, no matter how patriotic he is right now.

Paul, I think Exum is worth taking as the 12th man to keep him involved (I'm not really expecting our 12th man to play much regardless of who he is). His knee injury has set him back, but he was starting to show good progress at Utah last season. From memory he was having a dramatic impact on Utah's defensive rating.

If the Boomers are going to take that next step and finally challenge for a medal in the next few years, we need the athleticism he brings in the back-court to defend the best guards in the world. I also think that with better health and a little more patience, his offence and point guard skills will get there too.

Who would you like to see the 12th spot go to instead?

Here's my Olympic squad, players must specialise in what they bring-

Ingles = proven X factor specialist-in
Mills = point guard specialist-in
Delly = guard specialist-in
Bogut = 5 man specialist-in
Baynes = specialist banger - in
Simmons = In
Exum = In
Broekoff = specialist shooter-In
Anderson = experienced 5 man specialist-In
Motum = combination big - In
Lisch = if available- In
Kickert = 3 point specialist @ 6'10-in

This team could win a medal.

"The good thing about Kickert is this year he is playing the exact role in the NBL that he would play for the Boomers. He doesn't get a lot of rebounds as he is always on the perimeter and has the responsibility of getting back on d instead of going for O boards.

It's not the offensive boards I'm worried about. He's only averaging 2.5 defensive rpg! I do agree that his exceptional shooting gives him an outside chance of playing a role on the Boomers once Andersen retires though.

"ogilvys mobility and rebounding, shot blocking capability is needed. His a great mix of Bogut and baynes."

Not sure that I agree that Ogilvy is mobile or that great a rebounder. He's not even averaging as many rebounds per game as DJ, who everyone complains is soft! He's more likely to block a shot or grab a rebound than Jawai, so I'd probably take him ahead of big Nate, but he's not going to get any minutes with the guys we have ahead of him.

Skull, Kickert has some great shooting percentages, but he's near useless on the other end. The guy averages about 3.5 rebounds per game in the NBL! Not good enough for someone who is 6'10!

I think Lemanis will go with a pretty experienced starting lineup that will definitely include Bogut, Dellavedova and Ingles and probably Broekhoff for the balance his shooting, defence and rebounding brings.

Baynes might start at the 4, but personally I hope that doesn't happen as it will make us too slow and he and Bogut will get in each other's way in the paint.

If Simmons commits to the Olympics early and can spend enough practice time with the team, then maybe he could start, but I just don't see Lemanis being ready to build this team around him yet. Hopefully that will happen leading into the next World Champs though.

So I think the 4 should be either Motum or Andersen, because their shooting will open up the floor for Bogut, Simmons, Newley and Ingles to score at the rim.

Mills, Simmons and Baynes to be the others to see significant minutes.

The remaining slots probably don't matter a lot unless there is an injury, but I would take Newley as an athletic spark-plug. Lisch is having a stunning shooting year and is a solid ball-handler, so I think he'd be worth considering if he has naturalised by then. If not, either Goulding or Blanchfield would be ok, though both are only shooting 35% and 34% respectively from 3.

That's still only eleven, but I just don't think the 12th guy will play. For that reason, I'd keep Exum around for the experience (if he makes himself available). If not, maybe Ogilvy or Jawai sneaks in, but I can't see them having much impact.

To sum up:

Bogut Baynes Andersen
Motum Simmons
Broekhoff Newley
Ingles Lisch
Delly Mills Exum

I would think Kickert has also given himself a chance? international size and shoots the hell out of the 3 ball.

Ive thought about this - lately Australian coaches always seem hellbent on sending the 'same guys' even though results haven't been overly great (they've punched some years but by and large finished where their ranking lies or a bit outside of it).

Would love for Aus to look at guys like Lisch, Ogilvy..just mix it up a bit.

A guy like Lisch could be extremely valuable. Hope he naturalises.

please don't mention Adam Gibson in the same sentence as the Boomers....it's embarrassing.

http://nbl.com.au/index.php?id=36&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=15760&tx_ttnews[backPid]=34&cHash=10b1f9ddb7

Slight joke- I mean come on, this guy was the league MVP as he states in the article. Sydney or Melbourne or anywhere- as long as he stays in the league. A backcourt of Hodge and Williams would be pretty good!!