Another good day, and all that jazz
TweetIT’S been another fine day for Australian basketball on the world stage with Boomers forward Cameron Bairstow signing a three-year deal with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls.
“The rookie’s physical play was on full display throughout Summer League play and caught the eye of the entire coaching staff,” beat writer Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote.
Bairstow brings to a record six the number of Aussies in the NBA, led by Andrew Bogut at Golden State Warriors, Patty Mills and Aron Baynes at the champion San Antonio Spurs – though Baynes is a free agent presently – Matthew Dellavedova at Cleveland Cavaliers and Dante Exum at Utah Jazz.
But wait, there’s more!
It could even get out to a magnificent seven with Brisbane power forward Brock Motum sufficiently impressing during the Summer League at Las Vegas to win a training camp invitation at Utah Jazz.
No-one is happier than Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis, even though he will be down Bogut and Mills (injury rehab) for the World Cup in Spain.
The Australian team is expected to be announced on Monday after training camp.
It has its work cut out at Gran Canaria in the group stage, facing Lithuania, Slovenia, Mexico, Angola and Korea.
But, realistically, it is a group the Boomers conceivably could win, if everything goes right.
Remember, there are a few other handy guys around named Joe Ingles, Brad Newley, David Andersen … this is a bona fide opportunity.
While NBL leading scorer and 2014 MVP runner-up Chris Goulding isn't quite in the NBA, he is bound for a season with Spain’s CAI Zaragoza, poking his foot through the door to The Show.
By the way, Bairstow becomes the fourth Aussie to play for the storied Chicago Bulls.
Obviously Luc Longley led the way with three NBA Championship rings but he was followed by fellow 7-footers Chris Anstey and then, briefly, Luke Schenscher.
TOMORROW: Just a quick time-machine trip back 20 years for a clash between (then) arch rivals, Adelaide and Brisbane.