Hoops

Rio Olympics finalists?

Anything less than silver would be a disappointment for the Opals. I don't think we are heading over there with our strongest team though, both Ohea and Griffin should have somehow been included.
Boomers need to win a medal, we have our deepest talent pool ever, just missing a really good scorer...need a Lebron James, lol.

Could still be a fair bit of water under the bridge regarding which teams actually play in Rio, if you've been following events in the war between FIBA Europe and ECB (Euroleague).

So nobody rates the Spanish men any more?

no way Australia does not make the top 8 if we can't beat China and Venezuela there is something seriously wrong.

Exum? Simmons? Maker? You're having a laugh, aren't you?

Simmons wasn't up to it in 2014. Exum is barely up to it. Maker will get bullied by full grown adults. What in the world are you talking about? Newley and Gibson were obvious choices over Simmons at the time because we wanted a team for the NOW.

Angola was an obvious case of tanking. They were unable to show positive proof for it, but the Australians basically escorted them to the basket on every play in the last quarter. It was a cunning ploy by Lemanis and probably the only good thing he did. Those who want to say it is morally wrong haven't been watching the Europeans too closely.

Otherwise, I agree. Australia has been largely underwhelming under Lemanis. They have played two good games as far as I have seen: V Lithuania in 2014, and most of Game 2 against New Zealand last year.

I don't have a whole lot of faith in his coaching. But if they can tap into that swarming pressure they showed in those two games, they will stand up and be counted at the Olympics. If not, we could end up overwhelmed and embarassed.

I just hope Andrej has learned a few things and is ready for this.

IF we slip out of the top 5 or 6, talent wont be at fault, Lemanis will be.

Orbit,how did Australia fare in the last few major
tournaments under Lemanis? one word ~ pathetic !
How could we lost to Angola ?
Also how did lemanis not pick Ben Simmons for the 2014 world cup , but pick journeymen like newley
and gibson ? Australia have very good players but the coach either not pick them or used them sparingly ( exum, simmons, maker )

"USA
Canada
Lithuania
Greece
Australia(5th)
France"

Canada is unlikely to make it against Serbia. Anything could happen to Australia in these games. If we fail, it will be Lemanis fault because we have the squad to make the top three or atleast be in the conversation. I agree with Australia being anywhere from third to sixth.

Anon how do u win 3 nbl titles & not know how to coach? U are a flog my friend & i bet u sit at home doing nothing but criticizing others!

Winner...

Get rid of lemanis then we will have a chance to get
an olympic medal. The guy cant coach to save his life.

Spain womens Canada men/women are far better than previous tournaments.

I should add that I don't think the men's team is by any means a lock for top 8.

A quick internet search sees Australia's best odds of the gold medal at 50/1 (6th best odds of any team) and 250/1 (13th best odds of any team). Though the place they were 6th they seem to have forgotten that France exists, so I'm a bit dubious there.

I'd think making the final 8 and giving ourselves a shooter's chance from there is what we can hope for. If things really bounce our way maybe that means a bronze medal play-off, but I'd think 5th-8th seems more likely.


The women are fairly firm favourites for the silver medal. They should be playing for a medal.

Men
USA
Canada
Lithuania
Greece
Australia(5th)
France

Women
USA
Australia(2nd)
Canada
Spain
Serbia
France

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.