Hoops

Boomers vs Serbia, 3:15AM AEST

i think Lemanis has silenced a few critics with the teams performance to date!!!!!!!!


Maybe even Joyce will silence a few!!!

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Down Under is on top in Olympic men’s basketball.

Now Australia is looking forward to its shot at the U.S. for the chance to stay there.

“We’re going out there to win a game,” forward Joe Ingles said. “I think we’ve got a team that is focused on that and we believe we can do some special things in this tournament.”

Australia became the first team to start 2-0 here by pulling away to beat Serbia 95-80 on Monday. Patty Mills scored 26 points and Matthew Dellavedova had 23 points and 13 assists for the Australians, who have opened the Olympics by beating France and Serbia, two of the top-six teams in the world.

The Aussies play the top-ranked Americans on Wednesday.

“We haven’t done anything we didn’t expect to do. These are the goals we set,” center Andrew Bogut said.

“We’re not happy being 2-0. We want to continue on and go to the medal rounds.”

Boomers getting some love.

Ready for Matthew Dellavedova in a bigger role?

After escaping Kyrie Irving‘s shadow with the Cavaliers, Dellavedova could start as a quasi-point guard with Giannis Antetokounmpo for the Bucks this season.

Dellavedova might have previewed what’s in store for Milwaukee – and Irving and Team USA – with 23 points and 13 assists in Australia’s 95-80 win over Serbia on Monday.

Australia’s next game is Wednesday against the Americans, who will first thump Venezuela at 6 p.m. today. Australia might not be a huge test for Team USA either, but the team from Down Under could be the U.S.’s top opponent in Rio.

Australia is the first men’s basketball team with two wins in the 2016 Olympics, beating France – which entered the Games favored to medal – by 21 in their opener. Serbia, which beat Venezuela by 24 in its opener, was also no slouch.

But Australia relied on its point guards to pull away late. Not only did Dellavedova excel, the Spurs’ Patty Mills led Australia with 26 points.

Serbia just had nowhere to hide Milos Teodosic, who scored 17 points but was a big liability defensively. For any NBA team considering signing Teodosic, a talented offensive point guard, this game should provide serious reservations.

Miroslav Raduljica, who played for the Bucks and Timberwolves, made a better case for an NBA return with 25 points. Aggressive and physical, the center was difficult to stop inside.

But Australia held its ground in the middle with a couple proven NBAers, Andrew Bogut and Aron Baynes, and staked its claim as a medal contender.

You’d expect this team to be able to handle the pressure of tight games though.

4 of the Boomers starting 5 have played roles on NBA championship teams in the past 3 years. Our starting 5 must have 1500-2000 NBA games experience between them- including hundreds of playoff games, and then you’ve got Andersen coming off the bench who has won 3 Euroleague titles.

Delly, Baynes and Bogut in particular are all tough, and all extremely competitive on court. All hustle hard on D. They don’t take a backward step. And Patty has a history of success in Boomers colours.

Because of all of the above, I said before the Olympics that no team other than the USA would beat us comfortably- ie: We might not necessarily win a medal but the toughness, competitiveness and experience in this group mean that we should at least make it a close contest against any opponent other than the USA. So far they’ve even exceeded my hopes for them. It’s great to see!

Also have to add that this is the first time we've ever shown any consistency. We usually knock off one world power at each tournament and then straggle along. This time we beat two world powers back-to-back in a convincing fashion. Rather than being the exception, beating world class teams appears to be the new status quo for the Boomers.

Didn't know this is the first time the Boomers have won their first two games at an Olympics.

Totally agree with Ingles. I have not seen a Boomers team execute better down the stretch against top competition as they have. The last time that happened was probably Andrew Gaze in 2000 against Italy? I know they survived a late charge from Lithuania in 2014, but we'd built a big lead. This is probably the most noteable comeback in 16 years.

I thought this comment from Ingles says a lot about the difference in this campaign: the mental toughness of this group.

-- "I've been on Aussie teams before that haven't handled adversity like that," said swingman Joe Ingles.

The toughness of players like Bogut and Delly has been so important to this team. Our NBA 5 (let's not bother counting Bairstow as an NBAer) all have experience in big finals games.

Not sure about comments like this, though, from Andersen talking about chances against the US:

-- Said Andersen, who played parts of three seasons in the NBA: "It's like a Hail Mary I suppose you'd call it. But we're gonna go out there and give it our all and try to shake up the world."

Although Andersen has proven to be an extraordinary winner throughout his career, so I suppose I shouldn't be doubting him.

In 1996 we finished 4-1 so we are on track to match that, touch wood. Of course, that included a highly-dubious effort from Greece who lost to us by 40 and just so happened to avoid Croatia in the QFs.

Karma bit them on the butt and we beat Croatia in our greatest men's game, which will hopefully be relegated to second or third after this tournament!

7 replaying just the 4th quarter (on now)
:(

Yes I believe it would be. And I also think it means that we will at least have our best result since 2000 as well, because if we lose quarters, I think the lowest we can rank is 6th given our second placing in the pool.

I have nothing to add to the adulation above, took the morning off work to watch the replay. Stunning stuff, against very good opposition.

Coming second in pool would be our best ever pool result at an Olympics or WCs?

Yes that was one of the best things I've ever witnessed live. I'll be living off that for years to come! Even the 2 hours on a packed bus through Cidade de Deus couldn't take the gloss off! So stoked!

This team is showing heart and passion. There's stuff for them to work in no doubt but they're a very real medal chance.

Brilliant effort by all. Bogut has made such a difference to the team, especially in giving them the confidence they need to be competitive but still stay relaxed.

And once again Andersen has shown how important he is to the team. Where are his haters now?

As for the U.S. Game, I'd rest Delly and Bogey cos they're too important to the team going forward.

Wait a second.

If Spain wins their remaining 4 games, then they'll *probably* finish on top and face 4th in our pool (whoever loses when France plays Serbia on Friday morning).

That wouldn't be guaranteed, since it'd depend on Croatia's other results, but it'd be quite likely IMO.

They could, but Spain have a history of ending up exactly where they want to be.

Spain might not get to choose how they end. There;s a lot of factors to consider there. They could end up losing the wrong game and end up 4th.

Wow, just finished it myself, what a game! Serbia are a super team and they threw a lot at the Boomers, but what a way to respond, I thought all nine guys made a contribution in that game.

Obviously Delly was the catalyst - that's the best PG game I've seen in the green and gold - and Mills the backbreaker, but also loved the way Bogut bounced back after Raduljica went at him early. Bogey really is the glue in this team.

That all but locks up second, which means we will probably see Spain in the QFs, who are too smart to finish second and face the US in the SFs.

I don't think we should fear Spain should it come to that though, the way we are playing I think we can get anyone playing at our tempo and that gives us a real chance against anyone but the USA.

Only just watched that one (thank goodness I avoided the scores) and I have to agree with those big calls above - best Boomers performance I've seen. That was freakin huge.
I was ready to throttle Patty at times over the first 3 quarters for some of his decision-making. When he came in fresh in the 4th you kind of knew he was going to make or break it, and man, he made it. Bogut huge also. I was worried we might have held him out a tad long, but good call by AL to stay patient while we were hanging tough without him. Baynes & Anderson did exactly what we needed.

Delly though. What. A. Legend.

Actually re Pool B if Argentina can beat Croatia then Argentina may finish 4th.

But I think Spain, Lithuania and Brazil's bigs will cause trouble for Argentina.

I think Spain will recover and finish top 2, along with Lithuania. Since Brazil has already lost to Lith, they seem most likely to finish 3rd. In some ways this is tough on the Boomers since Brazil will have the home crowd behind them (watch the last qtr of Braz vs Lith to get an idea of how crazy the Brazilian crowd is!).

Still, there's a long way to do and anything could happen in Pool B. I just like gazing into my crystal ball... haha!

#Believe #OneTeam

Teodosic is absolutely terrible on defense. Made Delly look like Kyrie

Great effort Boomers.

Bogut's interior D is the main difference between losing these types of games against quality international opponents by 5-10 points, and winning them.

Delly is doing a great job of running the offense, and Patty is coming through in his role as the go to scorer.

Strong contributions throughout the team, but it's the NBA guys who are leading from the front.

In the other pool, Argentina looks very small to me, I think they will score plenty of points but struggle to cope with Nene/Gasol/Valancuinus etc in the paint, and I'm going to predict they finish 5th in that pool. A good team has to miss out, and I suspect unfortunately it will be Argentina (which is a shame cos I love Ginobili of course!). I'm predicting a Boomers 2nd finish will result in a match vs Brazil or Croatia quarter final. Bring it on!!!!

Time to start believing !!

Great last quarter and an awesome win, but I wonder how they are going to officiate the USA V AUS game?

If this is anything to go by, the officials may have a say in the result, unfortunately for someone...

Anyhow, we will need our shooters to fire again, at least we now know what they can bring, Go Aussie!

Nah, go for the win now. Why rest now only to try the next game closer to the knockout? Get the win now, then you rest leading into the big knockouts. Put yourself in the position to have an easier match

What a win! Amazing game.

Delly was inspirational!

Recap: Dellavedova inspires Boomers to impressive win over Serbia

You're not going to beat the US twice. Save the miracle for the gold medal game. No point wasting the effort now.

If this US B team pulled out now their C team would still beat us comfortably

"ME is gonna be unbearable today"

Translation: ME is going to be correct today. As for unbearable, yes I had planned on that.

-

As for the game against USA, you play to win even if it is unlikely. I am all for resting stars, but we have two games coming up against Venezeuala and China where Bogut can rest and you can probably send in the bench for the last half. I think you should always want to give yourself that shot at a miracle with the USA.

Let's be honest we won't beat the US even with how well we've been playing. After them we have China and Venuzuela which is as close to a guaranteed two wins as you can get. May as well rest up in those two games and be fresh for the finals

pac12 allstars vs china would be a good game, i wouldnt be against resting some of our best players against usa

Will be buying a pair of Delly 1s and eating them because I constantly wrote this bunch of back ups and NBL players off yet they just keep getting better

Dellys making me want to not hate his 10mil a year contract

^ Yeah interesting scenario, I hope they go all out at the start of the USA game but if we fall behind by 12+ we should start resting players and get minutes into the bench.

It's tough to feel sleepy after that.

Delly with 23 points and 13 assists, 0 turnovers.

Mills struggled from deep, shooting 2/9, yet ended up contributing 26 points.

Ingles with 10 points, 5 assists, including 2 clutch 3s late in the 4th.

Bogut with 9 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and some incredible D again.

Baynes finished with 10 points, 7 boards.


The bench contributed 17 points tonight.

I wonder if Lemanis will really go after USA by playing the starters big minutes again, or decide to give them more rest. It'll be 5 games in 10 days. If we want to medal, we can't let the starters be run down for the all-important elimination games.

you little beauty! the five at the end really sunk the boot in and finished the game strong which hasn't always been the case in the past. huge win and bring on China and Venezuela!

Makes a big difference with 2 world class guards on the team. Mills and Delly were superb.

Legends. So proud of them right now.

If we play like this in the crossovers, I can live with the result even if we don't medal.

Congrats Boomers from NZ!!

Amazing game. Delly was unbelievable.

So clutch!

Been a pleasure folks. Goodnight/ morning wherever you might be.

We were always the better team just couldnt hit our shots in the first 3, and had lots of bad luck with foul trouble. Boomers are rolling baby!!

*impressive.

Cram, you are damn lucky to see this one live.

Boomers has come to play this Olympics. Easily the best 2 games I've seen them play in a long time.

How difficult was it to watch this and not wake the wife and kids up?

Inspiring stuff. What a sensational finish. Clutch basket after clutch basket. Great coaching Lemanis too - brought Bogut back at the perfect time to finish them off. Without question this is the best Boomers team I have ever seen.

"Single best performance by a Boomer's teams ever."

Totally agree. That was a thoroughly entertaining and impression performance. A tough game against and quality in-form opponent. Huge win.

Clutch 4th Q, awesome stuff from the boys! Joe, Patty and Delly all stepped up

Massive win against a very tough opponent. Unlike France they gave us nothing. Had to earn it.

Well done boys!!!!!!

Ingles with another dagger 3! THis is a huge finish for the Boomers!

what a pearler of a game !