Hoops

Bolden withdraws from Boomers team

If throwing him some more minutes in warm up games, even giving him a start, meant he would be happier, it's not a huge sacrifice.

Agree. IF it's ALL about fitting into the system, then we have a problem: no system is foolproof and flexible enough to cope with anything thrown at it.

I'd like to think (hope?) that Andre's system is flexible enough to take advantage of team harmony and unselfishness, with lots of assists, but also gives everyone the chance at some stage to show their skills in a iso situation.

Olgun might want to check his sources this isn't a contract year for Bolden he still has 2 years left on the 3 year deal he signed with them.

Olgun:

On Jonah Bolden:

- Lemanis used him as a 5, so he was behind Bogut and Baynes.
- I’m told his issue wasn’t with Landale playing over him; it’s that he was effectively the 5th big.
- Context: he’s in a contract year. He’s just gained a month of developing with the 76ers staff.

Isaac

Just noticed you've shared your 2 cents worth a few times in this thread. Most threads you don’t contribute yourself.

Anyone able to share the key points from this article:

https://twitter.com/mattlogue7/status/1164300931787132933?s=19

God help us if the Boomers coach needs to be based on a popularity contest amongst the players.

I’d be mightily pissed off if anyone makes themselves unavailable for the Olympics because of the coach (or because they’re more worried about their NBA career, or what their agent has got them believing).

Isaac

Just noticed you’ve shared your 2 cents worth a few times in this thread. Most threads you don’t contribute yourself.

Is there a reason for this? Not a criticism, just an observation.

BTW my share is only about 0.0002 cents worth, as I don’t claim to know much about the Boomer’s depth beyond the obvious first 7 or so.

If the boomers make the Olympics they need a new coach as the current one has no idea. Brett Brown would be my choice due to his knowledge how to use Simmons and other NBA players. I can’t blame bolden on this one. Why be the 10th guy in the rotation when he could be in Philly doing a preseason instead.

https://twitter.com/karlbeston/status/1163701032209145856

I'm not sure that "prima donna" is such a great brand either but hey if that's the one he wants it's a free world

Played terribly in game 1 . Looked pretty good in game 2.

The fact BA, Lemanis & co aren't out there putting all this speculation to bed likely suggests it wasn't really personal reasons.

No fully functioning adult would buy into the "ultimate honour of representing your country" Isaac! LOL.

"It's almost Australia’s starting lineup that has come out:

Simmons
Exum
Bolden
Maker"

Where is Broekhoff? Racist!!11 ;-)

I could be wrong, but I thought the -9 deficit of Bolden's +/- occurred all in the first half, mostly from a Canada run. I also wouldn't take too much from the +/- from these games because Lemanis has been experimenting with so many lineups.

From the eye test, Bolden struggled a bit at times, but he also stood out in some impressive ways. That might be the result of a first run with the national team with players he hasn't played with before. He also didn't have much court time and (almost?) none at his more natural position. Just 11 minutes in game 1, then 17 minutes in game 2 (combined for 14pts, 7rebs and 2ast). Not much of a chance to get in the flow with a new set of teammates. What does he know about the players he was playing with? The core NBAers have played together for years and the NBLers have played together numerous times in qualifying. This was Bolden's first exposure to the national team. Might he have felt like an outsider compared with the established camaraderie of the rest of the team?

Don’t no about the other anon but I watched both games and while I agree the plus/ minus isn’t the ultimate test it’s an indication on team performance while you are on the floor, -9 in a win is not a good sign.

MM your posting clearly shows you think the nbl is rubbish and the nba is the only thing that you should judge a basketball player on I’ll assure you not every nba player is fantastic. Creek imo is better than some nba players and didn’t get a look in.

There is also a lot top quality players in the euro competitions and the nbl.

Canadian team has lost nba players than Australia, Canada still got lot euro guys in that are very good though. As stated above Bolden plus, minus was the worst of any Australian player and looked ok but not outstanding, his agent won’t want him jeopardising his career for a WC. The other reasons is he could have a family problem or is getting traded. It’s all guess work.

Maybe Elphinkiller's theory is right, but he got the news before the games against Canada and had already notified team and coach that he'd see them through and then need to fly out? Or that he was playing with that in mind, having decided to tell the coach/team after the second game?

I'm more understanding of these types of withdrawals, more so than the Simmons type of withdrawals. Simmons is an established star, he can cake-walk back to the 76ers at any time (so he has far fewer excuses to pull out), but these guys like Bolden are trying to earn their contracts and their minutes at NBA level.

Bolden didn't deserve minutes IMO. Just because he's on an NBA roster because one day he might turn into something doesn't mean jack. I mean Isaac Humphries played in the NBA last season, it's not much of a barometer of anything other than an NBA scout or two from a team fell in love with you.

Across the two games Bolden's looked out of his depth and probably fortunate to even be on the team in the first place. Despite his flaws at least Kay looks like he cares as others have said Bolden has looked like he was there against his will.

Makur, it should be Motum but it's Lemanis so who knows what he'll do.

FIBA need to move the WC back to the two year period in between Olympics this has been a complete disaster moving the WC to the year before the Olympics when it should've been last year.

I heard they've locked in 2023 for the next WC though but after that they need to scrap this silly idea to get away from being in the same year as the soccer WC.

Senator11 and to add to that when he was interviewed during a half time (can't recall whether it was Game 1 or 2) he was forcibly replying in a sort of mumble like he really didn't want to be there.

Is there a better time to play the WC, seems all sides are losing players. Maybe be a week or three after nba season finishes instead of preseason.

Watching the 2 Canada games (being at game 1), I honestly did not see any Boomer looking to find Bolden for an open shot or easy bucket, he seemed to only get the ball when he was outside the arc and they were swinging the ball. Being there for game 1, it legitimately felt like Bolden was on a team by himself, no pats on the back or any uplifting chit chat towards him at all. That's what I noticed and they were my thoughts before he had pulled out of the WC. Was very interesting to see the non-interaction. What does it mean? I don't know, it just didn't look "normal".

Interesting call, Elphin, seems like a realistic possibility given how trade-happy Philly has been over the last year.

"Is this conceding that Kickert is so poor of a choice you managed to forget him again after writing his name down the first time?"

Haha, yeah, just going through the list from the Asia qualifiers and accidentally wrote twice.

I disagree that Adel is the obvious choice *for this campaign* if Motum is unavailable. If Baynes or Bogut go down, Adel won't help with that. If we are looking into the future, then sure, send Adel or a promising young guy like Green.

Greggo, Doesn't make a difference to Jonah but it would make a difference to the team he was getting traded to. As you said guaranteed money and a roster spot on a guy who has blown out his knee is not the sort of player you want to trade into your team (especially with his skillset, its not like he is KD). So the Sixers and whoever they might be engaging with would be advising Jonah's management to get him to withdraw for personal reasons, the trade goes through and everyone is happy.

Anon #771, thoughtful insight...

I reckon Bolden is about to be traded from Philly and his management have told him to pull out so he doesnt get injured and void the trade. Just my thoughts.

Lay off the Creek juice.. He is not part of our best team, plain and simple. He is there now, yes, but don't get disillusioned that all of a sudden he is a key piece. He will play a role and contribute as required.

"I forgot several other options:
- Brandt
- Hodgson
- Kickert
- Humphries
- Kickert"

Is this conceding that Kickert is so poor of a choice you managed to forget him again after writing his name down the first time?

Seriously people...lay off the juice.

Should either be Motum (but he is back in Spain right now) or Adel.

I forgot several other options:
- Brandt
- Hodgson
- Kickert
- Humphries
- Kickert

So many of these options would result in an avalanche of criticism. Selecting Hodgson would cause Twitter to explode. Brandt and Humphries would be the best of this lot.

This position needs to be filled by thinking about an insurance option. If Baynes or Bogut go down, we need either Landale to swing to the 5 spot and another 4, or we need someone who can come in as a backup 5. A small-ball 5 might be acceptable.

I don't see Adel filling that. Motum seems most sensible, but if he is unavailable, we need someone able to fit that role.

I see the only guys with experience in the system that can fill a 4/5 role are:

- Motum
- Johnson
- Jawai
- Barlow

Johnson impressed against minnows. He can stretch the floor and offers an offensive presence, but his D will be well below par at international level. It says something that Lemanis didn't use him much in the qualifiers. Who knows if Jawai is anything close to match fit. Barlow has experience, shoots at an excellent clip from range, and is a solid defender.

With Creek putting aside the mistake of Lemanis in leaving him out of the initial team with him for better or worse you know exactly what you're going to get from him and these warm up games especially the early ones would be more about looking at what some of the other guys can or can't do like Bolden.

I'm almost certain we'll see more from Creek at the actual WC.

Watched Game 2 again specifically looking at Bolden. Too many times he was clearly open, ready to receive the ball and 2 players in particular looked past him and went for a worse option. Seems there are some issues and thats inexcusable at this level with his talent and recent GLeague showing. Then there is Creek who delivers good hard D forcing passes when others would have folded and opened the door to the basket. Then he gets a steel and makes the break and scores, then immediately taken off. Yet others given a free run especially scorers who have poor defensive ability. I’m still not sold on the coaching group.

Kickett? FFS

Kickett, Barlow, Moller, Blanchfield all would be capable. To many negative supporters.

Adel may be a SF in the NBA, but there's no reason he can't play the 4 internationally.

Suggesting that someone's form at NBL1 level means they should be considered for a national team spot is ridiculous.

What about Aussie Mango?

Come on guys knock it off with this Craig Moller shit all the time. He's a benchie in the NBL for a very good reason. It's one thing to be a fan of his SEABL team or whatever but he's got absolutely no business being anywhere near a Boomers WC team.

If it is anybody other than Adel or Motum it will be a joke.

Moller has played for the national team already, knows the system, athletic, long and plays solid defence. Playing for Melbourne on a stacked roster doesn’t help your chances of getting time. Anyway he’s probably no chance but as good fit he’d be my choice.

Any reason not to consider Harry Froling?

Johnson?

You would think Motum would be the replacement if available

Has some weaknesses, but two important factors are in his favour: Boomers experience....and of course, talent.

I take Moller in heart beat, kid can play, just because you don’t like is not the problem.

Bolden was interviewed a few days ago saying how he grew wanting to play for the boomers and loved being here, so maybe he just has a family problem and had to go back home.

Australia's leading rebounder (per minute of court time) in the Asia qualifiers is still available: the one and only Craig Moller!

Need a tall long athletic defefender that can play 3,4,5,. Names please. Who else did Australia use though qualifying.

I think its a simple case of him realising that the benefit of playing for the Boomers in what was going to be a limited role (more so than first intended) did not outweigh the benefit (financial, playing time etc) of spending the back-end of the summer with the 76ers.

Putting the 'representing your country' aspect/issue aside (if you did want to make that an issue), its perfectly logical and reasonable.

I'm more understanding of these types of withdrawals, more so than the Simmons type of withdrawals. Simmons is an established star, he can cake-walk back to the 76ers at any time (so he has far fewer excuses to pull out), but these guys like Bolden are trying to earn their contracts and their minutes at NBA level.

I didn't actually realise the extent of the time commitment with the WC - take into account all the camps, the warm-up games and the tournament proper and its 6 weeks, or more probably, of time spent away from your team. 42 days away at least, assuming 2 a days and you're missing on some 90-odd training's and workouts under NBA watch/guidance, maybe more.

Isn't there a precedence for Bolden acting like this? From what I recall, I read that Bolden quit UCLA because he didn't like that the coach wasn't playing him enough and he was being played out of his position (Bolden thought of himself as a 3)?

Perhaps he can tolerate the way Brown plays him because it's the NBA.