Boomers, Bald Eagle squads for World Cup
TweetTHE Boomers’ 17-player squad for the World Cup in Spain next month is out, just a day after USA Basketball revealed its 19-player group.
While Australia’s team is underlined and undermined somewhat by the injury-forced absence of our two biggest NBA stars – Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills – there is enough talent at the disposal of coach Andrej Lemanis to make a deep run into the tournament.
Lemanis’ squad will be reduced to the final 12-man team after next week’s week-long camp in Canberra.
It still has four players with NBA credentials led by London Olympic pair Matthew Dellavedova (Cavaliers) and Aron Baynes (Spurs), along with 2014 draftees Dante Exum (Jazz) and Cameron Bairstow (Bulls).
“I know all of us still feel disappointed for Patty and wish him all the best in his recovery,” Lemanis said.
“But as a group, there is still belief and confidence that we will perform well at the World Cup.”
Chris Goulding (Mavericks) and Brock Motum (Jazz), both playing at this week's NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, also are in the squad.
“Mavericks are using Bubbles as a spot up role player,” said Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright, who is attending the Worldwide Invitational Camp alongside the Summer League.
“He's fulfilling that role but he's better than what he's showing.”
Wright also has seen Bairstow and Motum’s games and believes Bairstow will find a roster spot with Chicago.
“Bairstow is a beast! I think he will make the team,” Wright said.
“… strong and high motor with some touch.”
The Sixers boss had no questions at all over Exum and said Motum had a huge fourth quarter for the Jazz in the first game.
The NBL also is extremely well represented in the Boomers squad with six current players – Goulding, Adam Gibson, Damian Martin, Mark Worthington, Lucas Walker and Angus Brandt – and four who launched their careers in Australia’s top league.
David Andersen (Hawks), Brad Newley (Crocodiles), Joe Ingles (Dragons) and Nathan Jawai (Taipans) all cut their pro teeth in the NBL.
Teenage prodigy Ben Simmons, son of former Melbourne Tigers import David, also is in the squad.
“We now not only have players in the world's best seasonal competitions but they are playing significant roles with their teams," Lemanis said.
The Boomers squad is:
David Andersen PF/C (Strasbourg, France)
Cameron Bairstow PF (Chicago Bulls, NBA)
Aron Baynes C/PF (San Antonio Spurs, NBA)
Angus Brandt C (Sydney Kings, NBL)
Ryan Broekhoff F (Besiktas, Turkey)
Matthew Dellavedova PG (Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA)
Dante Exum G (Utah Jazz, NBA)
Adam Gibson G (Adelaide 36ers, NBL)
Chris Goulding SG (Melbourne United, NBL)
Joe Ingles SF (Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Israel)
Nathan Jawai C (Galatasaray, Turkey)
Damian Martin PG (Perth Wildcats, NBL)
Brock Motum PF (Bologna, Italy)
Brad Newley SG/F (Gran Canaria, Spain)
Ben Simmons SF/PF (Montverde Academy, USA)
Lucas Walker SF (Melbourne United, NBL)
Mark Worthington F (Melbourne United, NBL)
Despite the absence of Mills and Bogut – and Aleks Maric for that matter – there is a lot to like about the group, especially when you cast your mind back to London 2012 and just how successfully Delly and Baynes ran the pick-and-roll for dunks.
Can it compete with the USA though?
For that matter, can anyone?
{I believe the answer is yes … to question #2}.
USA Basketball’s 19-player squad for Spain is impressive and just as Kobe handed the international team keys to LeBron, the American outfit now belongs to Kevin Durant.
King James is gone now, long live the King.
This is Durant’s team.
Kawhi Leonard might consider himself unlucky to miss the squad, particularly after winning the Bill Russell Trophy as MVP of the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA Championship.
Other than that, it is fairly imposing.
While it looks likely to win the World Cup, it does appear beatable though.
Spain … in Spain … interesting times ahead.
The US squad is:
Bradley Beal SG (Washington Wizards, NBA)
DeMarcus Cousins C (Sacramento Kings, NBA)
Stephen Curry G (Golden State Warriors, NBA)
Anthony Davis F/C (New Orleans Pelicans, NBA)
DeMar DeRozan G/F (Toronto Raptors, NBA)
Andre Drummond F/C (Detroit Pistons , NBA)
Kevin Durant F (Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA)
Kenneth Faried F (Denver Nuggets, NBA)
Paul George G/F (Indiana Pacers, NBA)
Blake Griffin PF (Los Angeles Clippers, NBA)
James Harden SG (Houston Rockets, NBA)
Gordon Hayward G (Utah Jazz, NBA)
Kyrie Irving PG (Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA)
Kyle Korver SG/F (Atlanta Hawks, NBA)
Damian Lillard G (Portland Trail Blazers, NBA)
Kevin Love PF (Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA)
Chandler Parsons F (Dallas Mavericks, NBA)
Derrick Rose PG (Chicago Bulls, NBA)
Klay Thompson G/F (Golden State Warriors, NBA)
At least we should be sure of one thing. For anyone still entertaining the Irving-as-a-Boomer fantasy, they finally can come into the real world.
TOMORROW: Take a trip back to New Year’s Eve, 2001 as the 36ers take on the mighty Cannons.