BTW as much as I and all of us love Patty, I'd prefer he not run the point on this team.

Against Argentina there was an iso play where he dribbled into a bad shot and the entire offense was completely stagnant. Same thing happened a lot in the WC vs Spain.
I'd rather see Patty exclusively at the 2 and have Delly, Ingles or Exum running the point with lots of off ball movement.

11:30 am EST Tuesday

#123 unlikely

^ FACTS HAHAHAHHA

Anywhere to see box scores?

Live Stats Link

Cheers Luuuc.

Live stream on Twitch

Link

Baynes hurt.

Shit :(

Ingles 3/3 from three in 3mins.

No Baynes now. Ouch.

Better it happened now than at the actual Olympics.

Hopefully nothing too serious and Reath can make the most of the forced extra opportunity

Boomers offensive sets still look non-existent.

Can we have some off ball movements and run the ball through hands please?

Whatever happened to all the sets that the core ran so fluently in the World Cup and Rio?

LaVine with the big reach on Joe to cause the turnover: No call. Joe with the lightest tap in response that had zero impact on anything: USF.

So you're saying there's home cooking outside of Perth Arena? Surely not!

It was a clear USF. Stop moaning.

Rebounding looks like a serious issue without Baynes.

rjd I'm hoping that gorg is keeping those sets for the tournament because our offensive structure here looks pretty bad so far

We do, but in a pickup game kind of way. That's the concern.

Mills getting a lot of practice on his iso plays.

Goorj going with the slowest unit we have against these guys is... interesting.

I'd prefer to see Giddey get a run and be exposed than Sobey get a run and get exposed.

Giddey would get eaten alive. If we could make a high low entry pass we'd be progressing.

Exum struggles to initiate -> Mills iso -> Mills can't put it up and there's no passing option. I'm worried we will see a lot of this.

Getting pretty sloppy here

Exum struggles to initiate -> Mills iso -> Mills can't put it up and there's no passing option. I'm worried we will see a lot of this.

In yo face, Draymond

#187 true, and as I recall the same thing happened under Lemanis in warmups so it probably isn't a cause for concern - but then what would we talk about?

Baynes just knee on knee injury or something more concerning?

And yes, we look good but like we're playing half paced. Definitely huge improvement on last game.

Delly is our only player able to initiate on offense.

The points on Sobey are valid, but if that's the case, why isn’t anyone banging on about Goulding? Immediate turnover on a straight line entry pass followed by leaving Johnson open on a corner three - of which he wasn’t within six feet. But wait, he hit an open three...

Concur on Delly also. He's a liability on O. Can’t shoot, something Sobey can - but agree, he’s rattled at present.

Is Boomers Thybulle 5/5 from 3?

Thybulle is a joy to watch on D.

Boomers running some plays now. Look good.

To be this close with Lillard hooping like that is ok.

Keep executing offensively.
Landale looking good but Should've taken green in the post rather than the kick out pass

CG43!

Goulding showing his worth now.

We'll see...

Now that was a better quarter.
Loved our aggression, back door movement.....and the 3 dropping.
We still look Culberson iso plays especially when everyone else is stagnant.
Stay aggressive Exum.

Does anyone know if the full replays are/will be on Kayo?

Dat Goulding run.

Goulding fills a very important role on this team. A flat-out shooter who can create his own shot when necessary.

Nick Kay great agression

Not enough love for Kay, you need players that do the team stuff.

Kay with a 5 min patch that makes #228 look like a bright spark

"Kay and sobey are big liabilities of this team."

Have you been watching Kay is this game?

USA's strategy right now: give it to Durant.

Weird take re: Kay. He proved his worth at the last World Cup.

Regardless of what happens with the result, there's been a fair bit to like about this game for the Boomers

USA trying to get the switch so Thybulle is switched off Durant, getting Kay instead. Kay denies. (luckily)

Really liking Thybulle, he's added so much to this team.

Kay and Goulding proving they can play useful roles, just like they did in 2019

For all the doom and gloom (it's what we sports fan do) by no means should we be disappointed in this performance

Awful non-call by the refereeing crew there on that out of bounds by Team USA.

There's a strong argument for Kay being our best 4 man. He's closing out this game now at the 5.

Aussie Aussie Aussie!

US bout to be 0-2, great job by our boys

We did it guys!

USA 83-91 AUS.

On the US side of things you've gotta be scratching your head over Kevin love not getting on.

For us, well done, hopefully baynes is ok

USA's problem is that they don't have enough NBA players

Exhibition, but still. Wow.

#251 Sobey isn't going anywhere

Ben who????

We're on a 2 game winning streak against the USA

God that Kevin love selection looks bad for them, pop played two select guys over him, any word on baynes?

This was a surprising win, especially considering how bad we looked early on.

Yep, the D was seriously high level for much of that game. Loved it.

Yeah I think people can stop talking shit about Nick Kay and Chris Goulding being on the team now. Kay played his role to literal perfection. We saw signs of sme of the great offense we saw n 16 and 19. Still work to do but this win is a fantastic sign moving forward.

I think it's time for Delly to take to the bench to be honest, or at least for Exum to see more minutes. Delly was okay defensively and kept the ball moving but he's a complete zero sum offensive player. Sobey looked a bit rattled but once again, not seeing the minutes. I doubt he sees minutes in the actual Olympics at this rate.

I am hearing Cooks might be in the team over Green now. Is there any legitimacy to thart?

I love Patty Mills! What a star.
Also, Nick Kay- for someone not that athletically he's just a smart, strong, skilful team orientated player who busts his arse every game. Gun.

"USA's problem is that they don't have enough NBA players".

Absolute classic Luuuc.

Maybe next WC's and Olympics, they'll take yanks who have played in the NBL. They may even try to naturalise some of our own and play them too, a la Nigeria.

Musk there is a chance Love is carrying an injury. I don't think he played against Nigeria either

Patty still our best player at nearly 33.

Patty is the GOAT. I know that national pride isn't a defining feature of good humans, but caring that much about something other than yourself is. What a legend.

Exhibition game yes but a huge confidence boost nonetheless.

Kay won't make any NBA rosters but his game is perfectly suited to fiba level.

Maybe next WC's and Olympics, they'll take yanks who have played in the NBL. They may even try to naturalise some of our own and play them too, a la Nigeria.

"@ME, I thought it was cooks, giddey and motum were only able to make the side in case of injury or a pull out (by the player like bolden)"

Possibly at the O's, but we're just in "Exhibition" game-mode atm.

The thing that impresses me is that it is a night and day contrast to the way we played against Argentina. I think these days you can take wins against the USA, as great as they are, with something of a grain of salt. But the team looked switched on, players played their roles, we shot pretty well, and we seemed to have the nerve to really go for the win. All of this without our best big man. A lot of reason for optimism.

And honestly, there's a place for Cooks on this team. if that means Green misses out, so be it. We could really do with his defensive mobility. We can talk about blooding for the future all we want but if we're serious about a medal this year we need every possible upside we can get, and there's nothing Green provides that Thybulle doesnt provide more of.

Kay looked bad against ARG (sluggish, slow, even more ground bound than usual) but was back to that WC level today. Quite handy.

I seriously think Delly might be past it though. Not sure he really 'runs the point well' anymore. He brings the ball up and passes it. That's about it. Exum can do that and also adds some driving ability (although today he struggled against the bigger D) and length defensively. I'm not saying bury him completely, but line ups with him, Ingles and two bigs haven't seemed to work.

It's his second game back from a long lay off to be fair but if the signs arent looking better soon I'd be looking at cutting his minutes.

I think they have to give a 12 for the IOC before games. For me though, Cooks length at that four spot could be crucial and Green doesnt necessarily provide anything we don't already have.

Anyone have any updates on Baynes?
Could be a big out

I agree with Sobey over Cooks being a mistake. Cooks can provide more valuable minutes than what Sobey can.

"Anyone have any updates on Baynes?
Could be a big out"

No official update but he was on the bench with ice with a smile in the footage and seemed to walk a bit under his own power. I imagine he will miss tomorrow's game and then front up Saturday. I think just a really bad knee collission.

"What we are seeing with the modern NBA , with their warped gameplay that is more globetrotters vs washington wizards highlight reel , that frankly they are no longer guaranteed a gold medal. They dont play a lot of defence so the minute you move into FIBA rules based play the whole picture changes.
"

Agree with this. I get bored watching the NBA. the whole league and it's ruling, court dimensions, and everything about it is catered to letting big athletes dunk as much as possible. It's a showcase and rarely does it look much like traditional basketball. As soon as you puyt them on a FIBA court with traditional rules they get caught out. Team USA is a thousand times more talented than we are but we play better FIBA style basketball and I think that is going to ring true for a couple of teams at the Olympics.

I have no doubt that USA will end up winning the gold medal. These exhibition games are exactly what they need to adjust. These games aren't about the end score for the USA.

Regardless, they need to stop playing and relying on so much iso ball. Leave that to the NBA.

It is so bloody cool to think that my national team is actually capable of beating the mighty USA at any given time. 18 year old me in 1990 watching us choke away a lead against the USA at the World Champs thought that would be our only chance. We (and the world) have certainly come a long way since those days.

It is nice too to see all of us here (even some of the moronic anons) band together to support our Boomers. Top stuff!

Matisse Thybulle was again very impressive. Spectacular defense and continuing his shooting form. Are we going to see more of Thybulle at the 4?

We look so good offensively when we're cutting, driving, dishing.
Iso plays with stagnant offense are a concern.

Reath looked good on both ends.

Dellys shot looks off but his D and passing is excellent.

Exum's aggression again was very good. I don't mind that Green blocked one of his drives, every other attack in the rim was a score or second chance score.

Goulding did exactly what he needs to.

Thybull's defence again was outstanding and his shot was extremely valuable.

Goulding with 11 points and a team high +13 in under 10 minutes. This is what a streaky shooter can bring to the table.

rjd Thybulle shows he can definitely play the 4. His block on Durant good example
I think where he plays will depend on who opposition teams have on the court as he's so versatile defensively.

Agree 're Goulding

Mills, thybulle and jingles won the match for us . You dumb ass
Kay and sobey still suck.

Goulding can shoot but can't defend. Would rather have josh green playing more minutes

Ustase boy in da house!!!

Santamaria and Bogut discuss the game on "The Huddle". Excellents points made. Listen.

Find the links to Spotify or Apple here:
https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1414784853594152961?s=19

" We look so good offensively when we're cutting, driving, dishing."

I wish all of Basketball was like this... I hate most iso ball

I don't think it's worth engaging the Kay haters. Kay is a well established and pretty consistent international player now. He was huge at the world cup, especially in the semi final against Spain, and he was huge again for us today. Is the problem that his lay ups aren't throw down jams? Does he not look sexy enough? Whatever the issue, they exist solely in the brains of a few anonymous posters and not those of basketball coaches, basketball players, or anyone with an operating brain.

"Goulding can shoot but can't defend. Would rather have josh green playing more minutes"


Successful coaches with over 20 years of professional experience disagree with you. But I suppose you know more, from the vantage point of your armchair of infinite wisdom.

"It's an exhibition game people...coaches don't want to get their players hurt and I'm sure they're not going to show all their cards regarding plays during these games. Relax and just enjoy the games vs over-reading the games. When it's time to suit up for the actual Olympics - then you can really start to bagging on them."

A win against, easily, the most talented team on the planet isn't something to just shrug off. It means we're going to be a team to reckon with at the Olympics. But more than that, what impressed me is seeing players play their roles, make shots, make the right plays, and play smart. If we played the same way yet lost I would still have been pretty high on what I saw from the team, especially given how much they've improved since the Argentina game. But let's face it, USA would have had motivation internally to win that game. They might be working through things but they were unable to get it done. That's credit to the Boomers.

"You dumb ass
Kay and sobey still suck."

Your views on Kay have been entirely discredited and you're fighting an uphill battle against evidence, logic and reason to even try to keep that going.

As for Sobey, you might have some grounds there. Sobey hasn't looked particularly useful in any of the games yet. If the team is still high on him I'd give him the floor tomorrow to do whatever he likes for a good 20 minutes against the Nigerians. If he cant make something happen, I'd be moving him on for Giddey or Cooks seeing as we need length and athleticism at the 4.

I for one celebrated Sobey finding his way into the team. It was a great story of determination, willpower and hardwork. But the rubber is starting to meet the road now, and if he keeps looking like a deer in the headlights and someone you cant trust out there, then the dream may have to end for Nathan Sobey.

"when you mean to type good but accidentally type bad instead oops"

Nah. He somehow managed to look more agile against the US than he did against Luis Scola.

"Great all round performance today, we should be at least top two of our group"

We need to be the top team in our group or the best placed second team in the tournament to miss a Spain/USA or France type booby prize in the quarterfinals. I think that's entirely within us to do that.

As for Nigeria tomorrow, I agree with Bogut's sentiment. Rest the main guys. Give them very little to see in person. Give the bench all the runs you can give them. Maybe looking at Cooks asw a possibility for nudging himself into the team. See what Green can give you. I'd much rather lose by 20 tomorrow, show Nigeria little, and beat them at the Olympics, than win by 20 tomorrow, risk injury to our main guys, and show them exactly how we roll in person. Yes, scouting tapes are a thing, but it's different actually playing someone and getting a feel for them.

I was one of the people who questioned Kay in the 2019 WC team, but will never again question his value to the team.

To this anon:

"We all hold the NBA as being the best league in the world, some of that is based off the old 90s NBA where stars played against real defence and it was a highly physical form of game. The legends like MJ would make the current NBA a farce.

What we are seeing with the modern NBA , with their warped gameplay that is more globetrotters vs washington wizards highlight reel , that frankly they are no longer guaranteed a gold medal. They dont play a lot of defence so the minute you move into FIBA rules based play the whole picture changes.

They have the best players perhaps but NBA ratings steadily in decline and certainly when I watch the odd game its just lacks intensity we see in other league and can be frankly boring. You have players regularly getting 40-50 points they just wouldn't get in other quality leagues."

What a load of crap. Its good that you made this observation from the "odd game" you watch too by the way.

It's fair to be excited about a Boomers win vs the USA in an international friendly, but ppl pretty much bagging the NBA now is hilarious. SMH.

Sobey and Exum don't look up to this level. Not sure why Goorj is running Sobey at the point he's a terrible PG. All those idiots who didn't understand why I said Goulding was a lock for selection now understand why. Probably the same clowns bagging a proven big game player in Nick Kay. Delly looks just about shot though.

Overall a very good win against the USA but you could tell both teams were holding a fair bit back, our offence at times looked quite ordinary until Goulding broke the game open. Fantastic defence though.

Delly hasn't been able to shoot for years now. No idea why he changed his shooting mechanics to basically chest pass his 3 ball. Still a good game manager but you can’t play him for long stretches when he offer literally 0 scoring output. Ingles plays a lot of 1 for Utah he’s probably the best option to play at the point.

Exum is silk and definitely at the level. There are two players in the squad that couldn't play NBA, Sobey and Kay. Kay is a strong and solid European/FIBA four .So he's an in. If Cotton was available, Sobey would be out. May as well give Giddey a crack, after all he'll be our starting PG for the next 12 years.

It was an excellent Boomers result and I thought they deserved it.

I now expect the media to start hyper-ventilating and talking up our chances so much that not medaling - even coming 4th - is considered a failure by many, as has happened in the past.

has Gorj spoken a word about the Nigeria game?
if he tries to win it, the hype will be even more ... dangerous road

Australia aren't allowed Thybulle and Cotton in that scenario.

They’d be forced to choose one or the other.

Thybulle apparently gained citizenship before the age of 16 so doesn't take up the one naturalised slot. It was discussed in the Argentina game thread.

Whatever happened to all the sets that the core ran so fluently in the World Cup and Rio?

Thybulle apparently gained citizenship before the age of 16 so doesn't take up the one naturalised slot. It was discussed in the Argentina game thread.

Okay.

Can only have one because we are not Africa region.

Thybulle is the perfect fit for this team. And while Cotton could certainly help if I was choosing between the two, it would be Thybulle all day.

Tomorrow will be interesting. I don't see us playing our main guys big minutes. If we're smart we show Nigeria nothing in person. Use the game to see whether it's time to give Sobey the flick or show him more faith, and if we might be better served by having another big (cooks) or another ball handler (Giddey) on the team.

A lot of people critical of a lot of players on the team but the only guy who I really question right now is up to it is Sobey. They need to make a call on him after the next game in my opinion.

Mills has another go-around in him I think. He wont be the main guy on the next Boomers team, but I think he'll be there, probably ending off his playing days in one of the more financial NBL team colours. Probably good for 15-20 minutes per night at the 2024 Olympics.

I actually think Joe will do the same too. We would be in a pretty poor situation at pg though if we need to rely on Delly to also do the same.

But either way, Vasiljevic seems to me like a likely candidate. His ceiling is beyond the NBL so look to him to make moves up in Europe at some point.

As for anyone else, there's always some new kid coming through that is unheard of one minute, then the next big thing the next. I don't see too many glaring holes developing for the next generation of Boomers.

For guards in general I think we are looking strong moving forward..
Giddey 2002
Daniels 2003
Proctor 2004
Green 2000
Ķing 2002.

I'm super high on Daniels and proctor going forward. Different players for sure but both look really really good on the eye test, proctor especially. Daniels defence can honestly be as good as thybulles if he continues progressing at the rate he is and proctor seems like a class shot creator that in one or two olympics time will become very valuable. Both have a ways to go with stuff like pick and roll reads and shooting percentages but no ones perfect. Boomers looking good for the future, interested to see where it goes!

I'm proud of you posters in here, we beat United States of America in a game of basketball for the second time in a row mind you and yet not poster is suggesting that this is the best Boomers squad ever, quite the contrary in fact and I think that's great as we like the squad itself aren't getting ahead of ourselves and we know there is so much hard work to be done, lucky bounces and bad refereeing decisions to come before we know how good this current side can be.

Those bagging Sobey and suggesting that we also need a play maker when Delly is off the court are really making a case for Giddey and I really hope that he gets some minutes soon and we can see what he can do... I remember back to when Baynes really came to the fore as a national squad member and it felt like we didn't know just how good he was and then he was our go to big man in the post, and he has been with the Australian side since 2010 so it makes me wonder if Giddey could impress so such an extent also against real opposition (instead of training camp) and be selected on the back of one or two performances