Hoops

Ben Simmons not a certainty for USA games & World Cup

It wouldn't happen.

Yes Anon, Ben could still play for the States but it would have to be Tiddly Winks as he's already played for the Boomers against NZ in a FIBA qualifier.

Any Sporting body can stop people from representing more than one country if that is what their rules clearly state.

Once someone has played for Australia (which Ben has), they can't play for another country unless BA agree, which I cant see them doing in any circumstances.

Therefore Ben's only international option is Australia and as said above, Ben has never suggested he wants to play for any other country.

For same reason, Kyrie not playing for the Boomers.

As Ben has represented australia in a FIBA sanctioned event, he is no longer able to play for the USA. The same goes for Kyrie Irving who has played for the USA - he cannot play for Australia now.

I think that because Ben has played as an Aust as a junior. Ergo, clearance necessary. Kyrie could have, up until he played for the USA. Now he would also need a clearance to play for anyone else.

BA would have to allow him to play for the US, which I doubt they'd do even if he wanted to - which he's given no indication of at any point.

Yeah the WC is definitely the harder event. In the Olympics you can lose 2-3 games in pool play and still qualify and just need one good win in the quarter finals to make the medal rounds.

WC is a much tougher competition, which makes the Tall Blacks 2002 effort all the more impressive.

Having said that, being Simmons being "no certainty" to play is hardly news. Its a year away. A lot will happen between now and then.

This is like those stories where someone asks a politician/athlete/celebrity "would you rule out doing X?" regarding something in the future where a lot of considerations are needed but then the news is "Politician refuses to say he wont do X!"

Don't have a chance of winning the WC without him. Hope he plays both the WC and Olympics.

Exum
Mills
Ingles
Maker
Baynes

Delly
Goulding
Broekhoff
Bolden
Bogut

Creek
Mathiang

I doubt that if Ben wanted to ONLY play in the Melbourne game, but not the WC, no-one would be stupid enough to knock him back...

Actually, strike that... I'm sure they would be stupid enough, but I would hope smarter heads would prevail...

The team that plays in those games will be the WC team so to play in them would mean a commitment to playing in the WC too.

He has always said his focus was on 2020 Olympics and that the 2019 FIBA World Cup was not part of his plans.

After being a loyal fan for 10 years, 5 with a season ticket Im looking at my $300 ticket and thinking why do i bother.

With no real major change to the team setup, Marty Clarke somehow keeping his job and no imports over 6ft 2 how does this team have a chance.

My deal is simple
1/ Sack Marty 2- 3 years and still nothing
2/ scount throughout America find 2 imports 6ft 9 and taller bring them down under build a defence around them.
3/find a 1 or 2 local player that can score.

Its not rocket science people find some money and bring the excitement back to Adelaide, where it once was..

Or myself and many others may have a ticket for sale.