That could have been the 2014 Sino-Aus challenge? I do remember him playing fairly well in what I think was his first appearance and within a year he was on the Boomers' PF depth chart.

Wow Australian Basketball has resorted to Lucas Walker playing for the Boomers!

Our depth once you get outside the NBA guys isn't great.

Glad that the majority of these guys won't be near an Olympic boomers team or we'd be embarrassed.

Who's playing in Europe and likely not available either - Motum, Broekhoff? Bairstow is injured, Lisch too. Most teams will be weakened if you take out 10+ of their best players.

Walker is having maybe one of this best seasons ever. The guy is more physical and will probably bring more to the table than any of Johnson or Humphries, and Ogilvy will never get out of the dog house. I think he was the right choice to make.

As for the depth of Australian basketball, the USA didn't look all that great in their recent qualifiers when relying on D League players, and barely beat teams we would probably beat with the team we have. I don't think there is any problem whatsoever with the depth of Australian basketball right now, although we do need to develop some centers for post 2020.

Walker deserves his spot.
The team is what it is. We should be grateful that we have easybeat teams and an easy path to world cup

Lemanis really really doesn't like AJ or DJ does he. Would make more sense to bring Humphries in to give him a taste instead of a guy who won't be around Boomers going forward

AJ was clearly the guy who is a like for like replacement.

Agree that we have 14/16 guys way ahead of this NBL roster but i guess against Asian opposition we should be winning these guys with a SEABL all-stars roster let alone NBL talent.

I don't know what Ogilvy ever did wrong for Lemanis to blacklist him from the Boomers but it's hardly a big deal, the guy is too easy to take out of games mentally and I wouldn't want DJ any where near a Boomers team either.

Even Daniel Johnson would've been good wouldn't have to pay for travel in Adelaide.
Boomers will win by 20+ regardless.

I agree that Walker has definitely earned his spot this season, consistently very good and energetic and won't be left wanting for effort... Would have been nice to see Humphries get a look in with the more traditional 5-man position, but more than happy to have him remain in Sydney and working on his game...

Anyone know much about Team Japan? Many bigs we need to worry about?

Even Daniel Johnson would've been good wouldn't have to pay for travel in Adelaide.

"Anyone know much about Team Japan? Many bigs we need to worry about?"

haha no. They have a decent import dude who I think is a combo forward but that's it. I don't think they have anyone bigger than 6'8. We're not going to have much of an issue inside against Japan.

The same CHRIS Blakemore that Magic Johnson said could make the NBA?

Is your point that Magic sometimes says stupid things or that Blakemore was actually even remotely close to NBA standard?

Hard to give AJ the nod based on NBL form this season, but he does his best work when he's the biggest guy on the court so would probably have been a good option if not for the apparent blacklisting.

Re: Walker he arguably deserves to be there over some of the other guys in the squad based on his NBL form. Not a 1-for-1 replacement on paper, but Walker can play the 5 against Japan.

The same Brett Wheeler that played 450 NBL games?

And Blakemore was an outstanding prospect - rookie of the year and most improved. Injuries cruelled his career.

Neither he nor Wheeler "devalued" anything.

I am guessing you never saw Blakemore play.

You'd be guessing wrong then.

Japan's frontline isn't going to be giving anyone any sleepless nights, but guys like Hiejima, Togashi, Baba (very exciting athletic young swingman), Tanaka, and Furukawa (when he's feeling it) will keep Japan competetive.

Ira Brown (the naturalized player) is insanely undersized (195cm or so) for the front court. But his length and athleticism make up for it.

I'm looking forward to tonight.

Our NBA group is excellent , but maybe we are thin for very good European players

Which is the difference between us and some other top nations ?

Blakemore was averaging 14 and 6 in the NBL or so when in Boomers contention

Kickert 14 and 4
Brandt 8 and 5
Hodgson 5 and 3.5

You can look up Wheeler's numbers but I bet they were bigger than the 3 I just listed

,, most likely djs numbers are more...

Brown seems to have a pretty good wingspan in relation to his size, hence he can (in concert with his athleticism) play bigger than his listed height.

Opposite of Kevin Wills (old school Altanta Hawks "C") who was the poster boy for tall dudes with "t-rex" arms.

Blakemore also played in 48 minute games.

Unfortunately the Uniform is already devalued with Hodgson playing let alone starting. Living on potential, cant stay in games at NBL level. Lemanis certainly plays favourites leaving Newley out of Olypmic team and bringing him in as last off the bench on Sunday is an insult to his best small forward. DJ and Ogilvie clearly better than Brandt, Kay and Hodgson. Don't give me the poor D stuff when he has Kickert as a starter (very poor defender and the worst rebounding big in NBL)Australian basketball is full of this stuff. BTW Walker has been very impressive for Wildcats and as a stretch four is better than Kay.

Blakemore played comparable minutes to those listed

..it think david anderson has some boomers experience...

Hodgson is a joke. Not worthy of boomers

a but on Japan and who to look out for

Boomers looking to roll through Japan in Adelaide

Its a bit weird, but as a spectacle I am enjoying it. Nice to see a bunch of guys who wouldn't otherwise get the chance, represent their country.

I agree it makes a mockery of the process, we are progressing with a squad not even remotely like our actual wc team, but it what it is.

ANd I think the thing that impresses coaches abut Walker is his team spirit and work ethic. He came to Perth as a short-term injury replacement, stayed as a TP, worked his butt off, and is currently one of the best local forwards in the comp.