Don't read too much into what was overall a rubbish summer league game. I watched most of it , obvious he isn't comfortable on the wing. They threw it to him a few times and cleared out, he didn't have much. Better letting him run things for mine. In his defence, the isolation stuff was just poor team offense. He is also not in good condition, needs to get fitter and stronger, will get better and better. Impact player off bench for boomers

He can't even last 20 minutes before being absolutely spent

"Don't read too much into what was overall a rubbish summer league game. I watched most of it , obvious he isn't comfortable on the wing. They threw it to him a few times and cleared out, he didn't have much. Better letting him run things for mine. In his defence, the isolation stuff was just poor team offense. He is also not in good condition, needs to get fitter and stronger, will get better and better. Impact player off bench for boomers"

Yeah apparently the stats don't tell the story. They played him out of position and apparently he still made a few good passes and impressed despite the poor shooting.

Delly also shot 3-11 one game with 6 turnovers. So i guess he shouldn't be in the NBA next year either?

and 12th men is completely ridiculous. There's a reason why Exum was a top ten pick and NBA clubs don't give a crap about guys like Goulding and Martin.

LeBust!

So how many of the posters here have actually played basketball somewhere an elite level let alone Summer League.

LeStupid Post!

Exum will silence the haters just like Patty and Delly did

"Delly also shot 3-11 one game with 6 turnovers. So i guess he shouldn't be in the NBA next year either?"

I never said Exum shouldn't be in the NBA.

"There's a reason why Exum was a top ten pick and NBA clubs don't give a crap about guys like Goulding and Martin."

Yeah, because he has amazing potential.

"It's a summer league game. I can tell Exum is going to have a lot of haters out there like Mills and Bogut. It's the Aussie way!"

Ah yes... I'm a "hater"... Good one! And yeah, Exum can't get through 20 minutes of summer league play without being exhausted, but he's going to be fine at the World Cup. Nice logic.

"Who's ahead of him, at PG/SG at the moment?"

I would be much more comfortable with Delly/Newley/Martin/Goulding. At least they have the fitness to play over 20 minutes a game.

"So how many of the posters here have actually played basketball somewhere an elite level let alone Summer League."

Oh yeah... you're right... I guess that means Exum is ready.... Good point....

Hey guys... saying Exum isn't ready doesn't make you a "hater".

I still remember everyone saying that Delly would never get an NBA contract and that Patty would get dropped. Haters still hating.

OP says - 'Exum is not ready.'

'He is a 12th man at best at the moment for the Boomers.'

Really, based on not one second of Boomers camp leading up to the world cup, gosh this is an amazingly qualified statement!

Yes, original post, he is ready. Ready to show what he can do in front of the AUS National coaches, so can we suggest you save your opinion until a fair trial can be judged.

"I still remember everyone saying that Delly would never get an NBA contract and that Patty would get dropped. Haters still hating."

Great counterargument! I'm convinced, Exum should definitely start!

"if the 5th pick in the NBA draft is our 12th man, we must have a very very strong squad."

He was a project pick. Did you really think he was going to step into the NBA and dominate straight away? The Jazz clearly drafted him for his potential (which I think is clear) rather than any significant immediate impact.

I think he'd definitely have benefited from a year in college like the other top picks but the school year in Australia not aligning with America means he would have had to jump in mid-season, which is far from ideal, and you can hardly expect someone to wait half a year and then go to college when they're already a projected top 5 pick.

Love how all you guys can do is get defensive and call me a hater. It doesn't worry you guys that Dante can't last 20 minutes without being exhausted? Or the fact that he has played any real games against men in his life? (No, the 5 minutes he got with the Boomers last year don't count).

Where can you watch these summer league games, are they on NBA League Pass or something?

"Kid is still young and at least a year in development & age behind those in his draft class. Ease up on the kid, he'll adjust, learn & grow in the next year or so."

Yeah, I agree with that. But the World Cup is a month away. It doesn't matter how good he'll be next year.

"I never said Exum shouldn't be in the NBA."

I should rephrase - Dellu shouldn't be in our World Cup side then. What i was getting at is that anyone can have an off day.

"Yeah, because he has amazing potential."

There has to be a basis for potential though. He's constantly shown good leadership, passing and court vision not to mention that lightning quick first step. His stats in the summerleague aren't mind blowing but stats are misleading. And pretty much every player is drafted on 'potential' to some extent.

"I would be much more comfortable with Delly/Newley/Martin/Goulding. At least they have the fitness to play over 20 minutes a game."

Ok, first - Martin? A guy who can't even average 10 ppg in the NBL? Enough said. Delly - fair enough. Goulding is a good shooter and scorer but i don't know if i'd put him ahead of Exum. Newley's shot is as bad as Exum's and his basketball iq is nowhere near as good.

"Love how all you guys can do is get defensive and call me a hater. It doesn't worry you guys that Dante can't last 20 minutes without being exhausted? Or the fact that he has played any real games against men in his life? (No, the 5 minutes he got with the Boomers last year don't count)."

He's held his own in the summerleague. Despite the poor shooting last game. His passing and slashing has been very effective.

"For mine, none of those guys will score as easily as Dante if offensive sets aren't working (Happens lots in Int. Ball), due to the loss of Patty, Andre may be forced to play Dante if offense is stagnant. "

He's two free throws waiting to happen. With his speed ans first step his ability to get to the rim and draw will fouls be quite useful when the offense has become stagnant.

"I should rephrase - Dellu shouldn't be in our World Cup side then. What i was getting at is that anyone can have an off day."

Delly has already proven himself at an international/professional level though at the Olympics and in the NBA. Dante hasn't done ANYTHING against men to suggest that he is ready yet.

"Ok, first - Martin? A guy who can't even average 10 ppg in the NBL? Enough said. Delly - fair enough. Goulding is a good shooter and scorer but i don't know if i'd put him ahead of Exum. Newley's shot is as bad as Exum's and his basketball iq is nowhere near as good."

Again, what has Exum shown to suggest he is ahead of Martin, Newley and Goulding? These guys are proven professionals. Martin is a four time best defensive player and has already played at a World Championship. Goulding led the NBL in scoring and has played MUCH better in the Summer League than Dante has. Newley has played at a high level in Europe for seven years now and also played at the major international tournaments in 2006/2008/2010/2012.

Exum has....ummm..... well he played a couple of minutes for the Boomers against NZ last year....

"New anon- but I from reading I have to agree. He's not ready. Most people knew this when he got drafted. He's a project player. He will be very good one day, but maybe not just yet."

I wouldn't call him a project player. Project players normally tend to be super athletic guys who don't really have top level skills or a feel for the game yet. All Exum needs is experience and a jump shot.

"Delly has already proven himself at an international/professional level though at the Olympics and in the NBA. Dante hasn't done ANYTHING against men to suggest that he is ready yet."

His play in the summer league would prove otherwise. He has held his own quite well.

"Again, what has Exum shown to suggest he is ahead of Martin, Newley and Goulding? These guys are proven professionals. Martin is a four time best defensive player and has already played at a World Championship. Goulding led the NBL in scoring and has played MUCH better in the Summer League than Dante has. Newley has played at a high level in Europe for seven years now and also played at the major international tournaments in 2006/2008/2010/2012."

A four time best defensive player....in the NBL. Goulding has done basically nothing besides his 14 point game. And ha might be good in Europe but the past few tournaments Newley has been very average for Aus. He bricks too many shots and makes stupid decisions.

And if you asked an NBA team if they would rather want Dante Exum on their team or someone like Goulding, Newley, Marin etc. this year (so i'm not talking about potential) do you really think they wouldn't pick Exum?

"A four time best defensive player....in the NBL."

Yeah, and Exum has never played in a competition as good as the NBL. He has never played in any professional league.


"Goulding has done basically nothing besides his 14 point game."

Goulding is averaging 8.3ppg on 44% shooting. Dante is averaging 6.75ppg on 32.% shooting. Not to mention Dante is exhausted after 20 minutes on the court.

"And ha might be good in Europe but the past few tournaments Newley has been very average for Aus. He bricks too many shots and makes stupid decisions."

And what has Dante done for the Boomers?

"And if you asked an NBA team if they would rather want Dante Exum on their team or someone like Goulding, Newley, Marin etc. this year (so i'm not talking about potential) do you really think they wouldn't pick Exum?"

They would pick Exum because he has amazing potential. What's your point?

I agree with all the so called "haters" who are just implying that he will have a poor season and isn't ready for World Cup this year. You are all right he isn't ready but he should still make the team for experience alone. Learning of delly, gibbo and d Martin will teach him exactly what he needs to do to be a consumate pro.

I have predicted that he will have a very poor season at Utah but no way will I write his career off because his work ethic is extremely strong. A number of players especially 19yr olds often struggle plenty of years to become great

Holy shit!! Goulding had a 14 point game?


Seriously, if ya gonna post check ya freakin spelling and grammar bitches!!

Guys, I'm not saying he won't have a great career! I'm saying he's not ready for the World Cup, which is a month away!

Wasn't Michael Carter-Williams absolute rubbish in summer league last year?

The biggest concern I'd have out of this game is that Dante seems to struggle off the ball. The Boomers probably can't afford for him to be ball-dominant at this stage in his development, so my question would be what he can contribute in another role? I think he's going to be good at Worlds this year and great in the long run, for what it's worth.

He needs to participate in a man's world now and learn with the Boomers. So many critics, let the kid develop in his own time.

"I reckon Exum should only play 20 mins a game in his first year of NBA." So which NBA team are you coaching?

Greg Hubbard ... Gold! Or maybe Scott Ninnis

Exum does look flat, but he'll most likely rebound a bit and have a good WC off the bench 4 boomers. Utah will bring him off bench to (I hope), 20 mins a game as someone already said. He's had a pretty massive few weeks, for a guy just 19 years old, he's doing ok

I was hoping he would have a useful role at the World Cup, but agree he will be 12th player.
Why is he so unfit?
Defensively he is rather ordinary, especially off the ball, this despite his long arms and quick lateral ability. Compare to Delly at the same age.
Stands and watches off the ball, could be part fitness again there.
Doesn't seem to provide any spark or hustle.
Likely isn't in the top 30 players in Australia - right now.
Obviously he will improve and has flashes of a young Kobe.
Is now one of the faces of Australian basketball.
But if he wasn't selected or was suddenly unavailable wouldn't surprise me.

"Yeah, and Exum has never played in a competition as good as the NBL. He has never played in any professional league."

Summerleague teams would beat NBL teams. And while Dante didn't shoot particularly well. He impressed with his vision, passing and playmaking. Also he played in the Hoops Summit against guys like Randle, Smart, Parker etc. All who would easily average 20 ppg in the NBL.

"Goulding is averaging 8.3ppg on 44% shooting. Dante is averaging 6.75ppg on 32.% shooting. Not to mention Dante is exhausted after 20 minutes on the court."

So he's averaging a point and a half more? That's MUCH better? Dante needs to work on his shooting and conditioning thats true. But as i said before his playmaking, passing and vision on the court really made him more valuable than the stats would declare. Dante averaged a point less and with worse percentage but had a much bigger impact.

"And what has Dante done for the Boomers?"

Nothing yet because he hasn't been given a chance. This upcoming World Cup will be his first real chance with decent minutes.


"They would pick Exum because he has amazing potential. What's your point?"

They would pick him because even now he could do more for them than those others would. They would be useless against top level competition whereas Dante's speed, slashing ability and passing alone would give them something that they could actually use.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying Exum should be 'the man' at the World Cup and take all the shots but not including him or having him as a 12th man is just ridiculous. He should be playing around 20 mpg. People like to use Exum's youth and inexperience as a downside to him playing but even now he'd more useful than guys like Gibson and Martin who won't be anything other than NBL players. And i'm talking about NOW, not potentially.

"Goulding to sign 2 year $1.3m deal ive been informed.

Great for him"

Good on him! Good shooters are always useful. I think that Brock Motum should get a contract aswell. He's been playing out of his skin.

Exum shot poorly again against portland but lead his team in +- with +17. Once this kid learns to shoot he will be unreal.

Next season could be a record one for Australia. We could potentially have

Bogut
Delly
Exum
Mills
Goulding
Motum
Bairstow

in the league at the same time.

"Will this mean Australia will have the most NBA players of any country that is not the USA?"

Canada has 13.

Because only four of them played at the 2013 FIBA Americas tournament.

"Hold up where did you hear Gouldings getting a contract?

Certainly hope hes available for the Worlds..

Will this mean Australia will have the most NBA players of any country that is not the USA?

also anonymous, you forgot Baynes.. could be 8.

and with luck maybe Ingles too? 9."

I knew i forgot someone! I've also searched on the info for Goulding's contract and can't find anything.

I doubt Ingles gets an NBA contract this year.

And that would be Spain still, wouldn't it?

"or maybe four! But lets hope it's closer to your number!"

Well Baynes, Mills, Delly, Bairstow, Exum and Bogur are definite. So 6 at the least. and 5 if Macdub is right about Goulding. Motum would be very unlucky to not get a contract after his terrific NBA play.

"Canada has 13."

The amount of basketball talent coming out of Canada is crazy. It's pretty much assumed that Australia and Canada will be the new Spain/Argentina. Hopefully they play each other a few times within the next 5-10 years. A potential future matchup of

Bogut (or humphries if Bogut has retired)
Maker
Simmons
Mills
Exum

vs

Olynyk
Thompson
Wiggens
Stauskas
Ennis

Would be interesting.

Apparently they will match any "reasonable" offer for him: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=237570&s=717b34b683edea48623ab7d95ca69658

That was a cool article. This summer league would have been good experience for him. Once he adapts to the NBA and has a passable jumpshot the sky will be the limit for him.