we will still be competitive but this will seriously reduce our ability to win a medal, in fact would probably put it out of reach in my opinion!

Agree, top eight would be the best we could hope for I think, unless Mills and Newley have an out-of-this-world tournament from the perimeter. It will be tough though because the defence will be focused on them.

If Bogut doesn't play, I doubt we can be in medal contention even though we have capable options at the Centre position such as Maric, Baynes etc.

Bogut is more damaging at both ends of the floor, particularly in defence.

Fingers crossed for a quick recovery.

Very difficult to think we could make the medal round without Bogut. I think just about every team outside of the USA (and maybe Spain) would struggle without their best player on the floor.

Just get out the highlight tapes from Turkey 2010 to see how we'll look without Bogut. Middle of the road unfortunately.

Don't think it will be as big of a hit as we think. Every time I've watched him in a boomers uniform he gets the ball in the post and has to pass right away because he gets double and triple teamed all the time, which would be great if we could consistently make the long shot. Will be a great chance to showcase some more of our youth, and maybe even a chance for someone to prove they are worthy of a shot in the green and gold

If you look at every year leading up to Olympics- he gets injured and then be unavailable to play.

I question your comments Observer. He's played in the last two Olympics, 2004 and 2008. That would make him two from two. The 2010 World Championships were the first major international tournament he's missed through injury.

And as for you Ricey, if you think not having our best player in the team won't be a big hit, then you need to have your head read. I won't even waste my time listing all of the reasons that having Bogut available makes the Boomers a far superior team.

Jawai will absolutely kill the olympics!!!! he just kills it everywhere he goes!

As far as I know Jawai did not get an invite. But I would say this has now changed because of Bogut going down. I would say Bogut won't play.

Bogut has an 8-12 week injury, which means worst case scenario he's back on court in May. The Olympics begin at the end of July, so he should be ok to play in London if he makes a full recovery from the injury.

Oh, and as far as 'invites' go, I don't believe our first squad will be announced until April.

The best player who is an average Olympic player really. He doesn't dominate in the slightest. Will be a loss to the team, but not nearly as big as you think it will

yes he played but doesnt play hard like he does in NBA

Even if he does recover i doubt he'll play in the Olympics. When i broke my ankle it was in a cast for 8 weeks. However, even after it came out the cast it wasn't for several months before i felt 100% with it as far as sprinting went. And that's only the physical side. There's also mental stuff to deal with because it doesn't feel right you feel kind of extra concious about it. He's a world class athlete and has heaps better resources and facilities going towards his rehab though so maybe it's different in his case.

MikefromtheK, Bogut has access to NBA level doctors/physios so his rehab will be monitored very closely and far more advanced than ABA/NBL physios.

As with all injuries, time will tell the story and speculation is useless until he begins his rehab.

Anon, the Bucks will allow him to play because the entire NBA are far more understanding these days when it comes to releasing players to play international ball. Especially Olympic Games.

Ricey, think about what you're saying.. Our starting centre goes from Bogut to Maric/Baynes/Jawai and you think this won't have a big impact?? Sounds like you've been hitting the crack pipe sport!

Maric and Andersen vs P.Gasol and M.Gasol..
lol

I said it won't be as big of an impact as expected. Look at his stats, not doing a great deal really considering expectations. We have people who can score, as long as the person taking his spot can fill up the key and get boards it won't be a major issue. The games he hasn't played or had limited minutes in Olympics have usually been some of our better games.

Bogut is the glue to the Boomers. Without him playing there is no hope in hell of a medal and maybe a few 20pts loses unfortunately.

True

Bogut may struggle in some olypic matches. Remember he was the reason we made it in 08 to the finals as he had over 20 and 12 I think for the last 3 games before losing to USA. Don't you think he struggles because the focus of other teams are to stop him and make our other players beat them. I watch the 08 game against the USA and our other players got good shots and missed easy ones. So lets not point blame at our best player. Patty Mills isn't playing either is he??

Anon and Flip have summed up the situation perfectly.
Bogut's biggest value will be drawing the double teams, allowing guys like Andersen and Neilsen more freedom.

Not to mention his value at the defensive end.

i still believe Bogut is some chance of playing the olympics, i also still believe Irving is a realistic chance as well.....fingers crossed

Bogut wont play. Bucks wont allow it and with rumours of him being traded, he will be looking to build his NBA career to make sure he still earns the top bucks ($$$) and good luck to him. i agree with flip, i have the stats from every game and footage of the 08 olympics and guys like newley had good shots and we missed way too many, infact our outside game is our biggest weakness. years gone by that was our strength with Smythe, Heal, maher and gaze. I dont know what Brown has in mind up front but Baynes has put up big numbers in greece albeit in a dud team. AJ has been injury plagued but recently had a massive game and is so talented. Jawai has been the biggest dissapointment but is playing better, Maric is getting next to no minutes and Majok in a weak league is inconsistent although if brown is looking for a guy to come in and block and alter some shots, grab some boards. he might be worth taking. Baynes has to go, Im a fan of AJ, Andersen and nielson are guaranteed to go. Ingles brings so much, i think Dele might start with Patty. sounds crazy but lets just wait and see. Newley is too inconsistent but is exceptional when cutting to the hoop.

My squad is Mills, Dele, Ingles, Nielson, Andersen.
Bench. Newley, Barlow, Baynes, (Markovic or Crawford), (Gibbo or Martin), AJ Ogilvy, (majok or Worthington).

I hear maybe Kevin Lisch might be available for Aus. i would take him, he is quick off the dribble and terrific outside shot. I have majok pencilled in, now before i get attacked my reasoning is i think the boomers have 2 problems, outside shooting and rebounding/(block/altering shots). If i was coach i would give majok a simple task, block, alter, rebound, screen, clean up around the rim. Before i also get attacked for no Bogut, i dont think he will play but i hope he does and if he does then i dont take majok and i take worthington or someone like that instead.

I think 2008 was our best ever three point shooting championship or close to? We did miss some wide open ones in the first couple of games, but that's basketball.

Certainly we are not the same three-point shooting team as then. From memory I think Bogut, Anstey, Andersen, Worthington, Newley, Bruton and Mills all shot above 37%. That's pretty impressive.

In 2010 it was only Barlow and Andersen I think.

Of course, the offence we ran in 2008 created a lot better shots than in 2010, a but chucken iggy as the Conchords might say.