Brad&Boti: Can our teams bag it in France?
TweetIT'S ALL starting to happen now as the reality and enormity of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games looms on the horizon, the Boomers and Opals with practice matches to go but already drawing the attention of Brad Rosen and I in this week's Brad&Boti podcast.
Post-two mostly irrelevant matches against China's under-23 boys in Melbourne, the Australian men have started to find their identity and sync with more realistic contests against the might of the gold medal favourite USA and powerhouse Serbia in Abu Dhabi.
Different players stood out in both contests as the Boomers showed spirit against the Americans and commitment to roll Serbia.
The questions remain about Duop Reath's lack of court-time but it does appear coach Brian Goorjian has settled on Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Dyson Daniels, Nick Kay and Jock Landale as his starting five.
Dante Exum, Josh Green, Jack McVeigh and Will Magnay appear the main rotation, with spot minutes for Matthew Dellavedova and Joe Ingles.
Reath is the mystery.
The Boomers have practice matches to go against Puerto Rico and France before opening their Olympic basketball against Spain, with Canada and Greece also in their group.
The Opals conclude their preparation against Spain and Canada, before they face their Games intrapool battles against host nation France, Canada and Nigeria.
Those last two games after their also mostly irrelevant matches against China will be in Segovia which, Brad's extensive research reveals is where the Avengers defeated Ultron.
Who will inherit the Opals' coveted PG mantle and follow in the footsteps of such all-time greats such as Jenny Cheesman, Michele Timms and Kristi Harrower?
We think we know. If you want to hear about this and so much more, feel free right now to click this link, or choose the other options such as Apple and Spotify ... etcetera, etcetera etcetera.
Sorry. Briefly broke into Yul Brynner from "The King and I". (Too young for the reference? Hit up youtube or just shake your head. It saves time.)
And if time is of the essence to you, then here's your second chance to find us via this link.