Hoops

Ben Simmons commits to Boomers for upcoming events

aussiehoopla have said Broekoff isn't playing, his wife is having a baby

Uluc said Broekoff is doubtful for WC as well because of the birth of his newborn... My 12 man roster would look like this -

Dellevadova
Mills
Ingles
Simmons
Baynes

Maker
Bolden
Bogut
Creek
Adel
Green
McCarron/Sobey


Still lots of talent, but we've got an issue, and that is reliable perimeter shooting amongst the 2nd unit, and that's imperative around a Simmons-structured team. Mills/Delly/Ingles is obviously an elite spacing group, and Baynes shot 34% on an okay volume this year as well, but of the 2nd unit -

Creek - 22% from 3 in G-League
Adel - 32.3% from 3 in G-League, 26% for Cavs
Green - 34.5% from AAU 3, unproven at this level, though

Fortunately Bolden and Maker have been serviceable stretch threats as bigs in the NBA (though far from consistent), but Bogues won't stretch the floor.

The question then becomes, do you try to accomodate more proven shooters over the best talent available to fill out those last spots? McCarron is a great off-ball/spot up guard threat, so I think he's a good chance. I wouldn't take Goulding but he's a dynamic shooter/shot-maker. And he hasn't had much Boomers hype, but Kouat Noi, if you're pining for a shooting threat on the wing, is a real talent who shot 38.7% from 3 over his 2 college seasons.

do people think its a bit weird that Bryce cotton hasn't got Australian citizenship, Cotton would be playing for the Boomers

Baynes'

who is hayes

Landale has fallen away as season progressed, Cooks slightly as well but the Bbl is a lot tougher. Hayes, Bolden, Bogut should cover the five spot.

Lc you put Cadee in as a possible...

You also put creek as a nets player.

Motum should definitely make the team.

Why does Exum not be fit for the worlds? He had surgery late march didnt he? I thought it was around 3 months recovery which at worst would get him healthy by early July.

Is it just his preference to sit out?

Not certain why Humphries keeps getting mentioned. You would think Creek has to be in there.

Boomers talent pool is deep!

As some others have said, Exum will not be available.

People should not overlook Brock Motum as a stretch four as his game will be suited to the international game, and will complement a guy like Simmons running point. Jock Landale has been starring in Europe, while Xavier Cooks is a versatile forward who is also capable from beyond the arc.

While Exum is no longer available, if he was fit, here is my Boomers squad of 24.

Boomers talent pool runs deep for shot at Rio redemption

Andrej Lemanis is now rightly in the hot seat. No excuses.

Exum may not make the squad regardless of fitness? For farks sake.

Brilliant!

Thon maker

Exum ain't playing.

Simmons
Mills
Ingles
Cooks
Baynes

Dellavedova
Sobey
Broekhoff
Bolden
Bogut

Creek or Adel
Maker or Humphries

With Simmons running the point you would imagine they would try and play as many shooters in with him. I would go: Simmons, Mills, Ingles, Broekhoff, Baynes.

Second unit 9-man rotation of: Delly, Exum, Bolden, Bogut

Against some of the smaller teams they could definitely run out a death line up of Mills, Delly, Ingles, Broekhoff, Simmons. Every one of those guys moves the ball well and can all shoot bar Simmons.

Exum won't be fit last time I heard.

Great news.

What would be preferred starting line up - Delly, Mills, Ingles, Simmons and Baynes?

Maybe swap Delly for Broekhoff?

Does anyone know if Exum is likely to be fit? Although he might not make squad regardless.

This is great.

Both? PG on offense, PF on defense? Starting Baynes at the 5 allows everyone except Simmons to be a threat from 3-point range.

I'm also intrigued by the idea of playing a smallball lineup with Simmons at the 5 defensively, surrounded by shooters.

do you start Simmons at PG or PF

I actually think if "fixing his shot" or maybe more accurate "getting confident enough to shoot" is his priority, he would be better off not coming over for WC and just spending the summer working on it.

Not that I'm complaining. Will be awesome to see him.

yes it does. He will be in for the Aus v USA and Canada games.

This has just made my day.

Watching the vjbl finals at the state Bball centre. I can't believe the amount of zone being played.

DV and Melbourne in the 16s played a heap of zone, and in the 14s, nunawading have started in a zone.

Is it a compliment to Vic's offensive skill or can they just not play defense?