Both

AJ Ogilvy and Nate Jawai would make a lot of national teams in the world, but Australia has so much depth in the frontcourt that they are after-thoughts at best.

You would have to slot them somewhere between Bogut, Baynes, Anderson, Bairstow, (not to mention the power forwards).

If Bogut and Baynes are available you can bet they are on the team. The only issues are Bairstow and Anderson. Anderson is coming up in years and might not be in the team if they are thinking of the future, Bairstow is a great player but he probably is fighting for his position much like Ogilvy and Jawai would be.

It would be a hard call to make to bring one of them in, but on current form I would go with AJ Ogilvy. Wait to see Jawai in full fitness, though, then that might change.

You're assuming Bogut makes it and I wouldn't have Anderson in the picture.

If Jawai can get fit and shed some weight I would pick him, he brings a different dynamic up the team. But if I had to pick a team now I would go with Ogilvy.

I like Khazzhou over both

I'd be interested to see how/if Khazzouh would fit into the Boomers' system.

Our depth at the 4 and 5 spots is pretty amazing:

Bogut
Baynes
Bairstow
Motum
Andersen
Jawai
Ogilvy
Khazzouh
Knight
etc

Not to mention Simmons and Humphries (though likely unavailable for Rio).

It would likely be only a 10 minute role and Jawai gives you a look none of those other big guys can provide!

Knight anyone?

Khazzou, Knight and Kickert are all puting their hands up along with Jawai and they all bring something special to the table...

Sorry but I can't see Knight being at all effective on the international stage. Knight's a good player IMO but lets stop the talk there.

Maric?

True^, we sometimes forget the Europa League guys unless we hear from them or about them, how is Maric going at the moment?

Maric?

Shut Up.

Andersen is a tough one. Yes, he played well at the Oceania series and at the London Olympics but he was terrible at the Worlds.

Andersen is great when facing the basket including from range, shoots a good fadeaway on a turn within 12 feet but when backing into the basket he really struggles. As long as Lemanis keeps him to his strengths he can be very useful.

Whoever the 4th/5th big is wil need to be a role player, I see Jawai as being a better fit as a role player than Ogilvy for his passing ability, general size and on offense his ability to set screens and finish at the rim.

The way Khazzou is shooting the 3 this year I think he would be the best addition, just considering the bigs in the NBL. The stretch bigs always seem to do well in international ball.

AJ is more of what they already have at least Jawai gives them a different look.

How is Brock Motum going at the Jazz currently, is he still looking good for their roster for 2015-16?

Motum is doing well at Zalgiris in Lithuania on a team playing Euroleague.

Aleks Maric is having his best season in 3-4 years, starting for Buducnost VOLI in Montenegro and also playing in Eurocup.

I imagine Bogut, Baynes and Andersen are the locks, after that it depends on what balance Lemanis wants.

Will Simmons be available, and will Lemanis take him as a project if he's not ready to contribute (I think so, see Exum 2014)? If Simmons is just a project I think Motum will go as the mobile PF.

If Baynes and Bogut are fit I'm not sure there's a spot for Jawai unless he really gets into dominant form this season and shows he can defend.

Ogilvy is definitely improved over two years ago, he fits the team better and has raised his energy levels. However, he hasn't addressed the mental and physical toughness issues that have kept him out of the Boomers recently so I don't see him in the mix unless there's a couple of injuries.

Knight would have been a very solid international player but it's too late for him. He hasn't got the experience in the international game, doesn't know Lemanis' systems and his body can't be relied upon.

Bairstow is pretty much a younger equivalent so better off keeping him in the line-up and developing. Matty can just stick to being the best and most underrated big man in the NBL!

Thanks LC, interesting to see how the Euro League guys get treated if they are available, now that the NBL is a higher profile league.

Maker and Humphries too young this time around IMO.

If Jawai could get down to say 120 k's he could be a devastating player with his skillset!

I have never liked Kickert, but watching him recently he has really developed an 'all-court' game and he should be in the boomers conversation.

Knight is a little old to be a Boomers rookie. He surely could have been in the mix a few years ago, but his time is done.

Khazzouh is interesting. I am not sure how effective he would be in the post against bigger international players, however I expect he could still get his deadly shot off. I am not sure how necessary he is with Anderson in the team.

All of these guys deserve squad invites. It is a bit of a stretch that any of them would make the 12.

Oscar Foreman is extremely limited.

cant believe people keep putting Motum in the team. You can tell he played a year in Adelaide. Thank goodness the team isn't being picked on here. The way Nate works well with Mills and sets great screens then also passes out of the block after he draws so much attention. He would be way more valuable in that roll than any of the others! The other players are great in there own right but you cant leave someone like Jawai out!

HAHA yeah sux at everything else. Thats why he went to the NBA and played for european powerhouses. Had 7/5/5 at halftime of their game then got screwed over by flopping. AJ is by far the softest big man in the league! He will get killed at international level! Cant wait to see the match up in Perth this week where Jawai wont get screwed at home!

Time to get off the website AJ. Too much hate in your heart lol

This is probably the best Boomers team ever on paper - Maybe the 88, 96 or 2000 teams are equal but unfortunately they had a chance to medal but if this team finishes 4-6 it'd be about what's expected.

"Can anyone remember the world champs and how bad Australia were at defending the pick and roll and had zero shot blocking ability in the paint.

Andersen is too old and slow and at the worlds his jump shot stunk.
Jawai is too slow and cants get off the ground.
If bairstow had a 3 point shot he would be good, but since he doesn't he plays like a small C.
Motum actually suits international ball as he can shoot from outside and defend both big spots.
Ogilvy blocks shots, can pass the ball and is more agile of the bigs.

The 5 bigs I would take would and minutes allocated would be.

PF - Baynes (25) / Simmons (20) / Motum (0)
C - Bogut (25) / Ogilvy (10)"

Very good points made, Anonymous. I personally had forgotten about those issues and I assume others on here had also. I understand Bairstow now actually does have a 3 point game. That would put him in contention. Still need an inside/outside scorer, not just Motum.

"This is probably the best Boomers team ever on paper - Maybe the 88, 96 or 2000 teams are equal"

The 88 and 96 teams were a long way off this, they didn't have the depth of world class players and relied on a few to do a lot. The level of international ball has risen a long way since then.

Obviously we don't have anyone close to the offensive talents of Gaze now, but a guy like Motum who will likely be a 10-12 player on this team is a starter in the Euroleague ATM.

The 2000 team was the other that had talent from 1-12 (as did 08 and 12 but without the top-end talent), with Gaze and Heal top-end internationals with a number of guys quality players at the level below that. Similar now with Mills and a fit Bogut would fit the top-end talent.

And Broekhoff starting on a Euroleague team too Paul!

Blanchfield can't be too far away but prob won't make the final squad. Good all-round player though and could step up if there is an injury or two

Some good points made in relation to athleticism, speed and mobility of the bigs, yet also some decent points about miss matches and being able to cover a monster in the paint, all valid.

What is pleasing about it is that we seem to have depth, but I also see some changes and a new generation coming in to replace those who have had a crack, but not been quite good enough to make finals so far.

A changing of the guard is eminent...

It would be inaccurate to grade them by A,B and C because there is many levels and variations in the leagues. Calling Nbl C grade would make it sound pretty average, when really it us just outside of the top european leagues and gaining ground.

Look at stats at end of the NBL season will determine which player can get into Olympics.

AJ- Tall ,great inside player,healthy can getthe defensive offensive rebounds

Jawai,okay inside player,overweight ,slow

AJ by far,with stats to prove it