Boomers Olympic Squad

[Bulldog Revolution]

Australia Post Boomers Training Squad for Olympics (position, date of birth, height, senior games for Aus, club/university)

Aron Baynes Centre 09.12.86 208 0 - Washington State
Aaron Bruce Guard 19.12.84 189 13 - Baylor University
Adam Gibson Guard 30.10.86 188 14 - Brisbane Bullets
Aleks Maric Centre 22.10.84 211 4 - University of Nebraska
Alex Loughton Forward 05.03.83 206 21 - Perth Wildcats
Andrew Bogut Centre 28.11.84 213 29 - Milwaukee Bucks
Andrew Ogilvy Centre 17.06.88 210 0 - Vanderbilt University
Brad Newley Guard 18.02.85 198 21 - Panionios
Chris Anstey Centre 01.01.75 213 85 - Melbourne Tigers
CJ Bruton Guard 13.12.75 188 85 - Brisbane Bullets
Damien Ryan Guard 20.09.79 193 20 - Gruppo Triboldi
Darnell Mee Guard 11.02.71 198 8 - Cairns Taipans
David Andersen Forward/Centre 23.06.80 212 38 - CSKA Moscow
David Barlow Guard/Forward 22.10.83 205 13 - Melbourne Tigers
Glen Saville Guard/Forward 17.01.76 197 79 - Sydney Kings
Ian Crosswhite Centre 23.11.82 210 4 - Sydney Kings
Jacob Holmes Forward 14.08.83 198 34 - South Dragons
James Harvey Guard 15.02.79 196 0 - Gold Coast Blaze
Jason Smith Guard 20.10.74 194 94 - Sydney Kings
Joe Ingles Guard/Forward 02.10.87 203 5 - South Dragons
Luke Kendall Guard 25.05.81 193 14 - Sydney Kings
Luke Schenscher Centre 31.12.81 216 14 - Brose Basket
Mark Worthington Forward 08.06.83 202 27 - Sth Dragons
Matthew Knight Forward 31.05.85 202 0 - West Sydney Razorbacks
Matthew Neilsen Forward 03.02.78 209 82 - Lietuvos Rytas
Nathan Croswell Guard 03.08.79 190 0 - Melbourne Tigers
Nathan Jawai Centre 10.10.86 208 0 - Cairns Taipans
Patrick Mills Guard 11.08.88 181 8 - St. Mary’s College
Peter Crawford Guard 06.11.79 193 12 - Perth Wildcats
Russell Hinder Forward 10.07.79 208 33 - Sydney Kings
Sam Mackinnon Forward 28.08.76 197 122 - Brisbane Bullets
Shawn Redhage Forward 21.01.81 203 0 - Perth Wildcats
Wade Helliwell Centre 10.05.78 213 44 - Nuova Sebastiani

Staff: Brian Goorjian (Coach), Brendan Joyce (Assistant Coach), Gordon McLeod (Assistant Coach), Nic Mercer (Operations Manager), Dr Seamus Dalton (Doctor), Steve Evans (Physiotherapist), Bohdan Babijczuk (Fitness Coordinator), Nik Popovic (Fitness Assistant), Ray McLean (Facilitator).

One of the biggest deepest squads of Aussies basketballers ever named. And so many big guys in terms of numbers and in terms of big guys with Anstey, Anderson, Bogut, Neilsen, Maric, Ogilvy, Jawai, Helliwell, Schenscher, Baynes etc all in the mix

What are peoples thoughts on the makeup of the actual team for the Olympics?

[GVGjr]

Centres
Bogut and Anstey

Power Forwards
Andersen and Neilsen

Small Forwards
Worthington and MacKinnon

Shooting Guards
Smith and Newley

Guards
Bruton and Bruce

Backups (out of)
Mee/Redhage, Mills, Ingles, Saville and Schenscher

I wish both Mee and Redhage could be selected because they add additional height to the positions that they play and they are defensively sound. I prefer Bruce to Mills but I don't think the selectors will see it that way.

We are missing good combination players like a Simon Dwight who could play both forward positions and of course Andrew Gaze could move between both guard positions. I don't think we would want either Smith or Newley carrying the ball up the court too often.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Centres
Bogut and Anstey

Power Forwards
Andersen and Neilsen

Small Forwards
Worthington and MacKinnon

Shooting Guards
Smith and Newley

Guards
Bruton and Bruce

Backups (out of)
Mee/Redhage, Mills, Ingles, Saville and Schenscher

I wish both Mee and Redhage could be selected because they add additional height to the positions that they play and they are defensively sound. I prefer Bruce to Mills but I don't think the selectors will see it that way.

We are missing good combination players like a Simon Dwight who could play both forward positions and of course Andrew Gaze could move between both guard positions. I don't think we would want either Smith or Newley carrying the ball up the court too often.

Interesting squad GVG:

I think the four bigs you mention pick themselves if fit in Bogut, Anstey, Neilsen and Anderson. But then you could make cases for the emerging college big men, Nebraska senior Maric, big bodied Baynes or super freshman Ogilvy. And then there is the reigning NBL rookie of the year Jawai. I've got a feeling Jawai might get the nod because he brings a style and explosiveness that perhaps the others dont.

Its the wings and perimeter positions where there is more doubt. I think its highly unlikely McKinnon will be fit enough to play, and after having missed a whole year I think it would be crazy to select him. Its also somewhat unlikely he might be available, particularly if he moves to the Melbourne Tigers as is mooted.

CJ Bruton is a certainty at PG because he is experienced and knows the system and I just cant see Coach Goorj going with solely inexperienced guards Bruce and Mills.

Bruce had a somewhat disappointing senior year in college but was blooded at the World Champs but unable to find the dollars to fly himself home last year to be part of the Olympic qualifying. Mills obviously showed a bit as a freshman in the states, but is still a long way off the NBA

Many questions still to be answered?

Consistent perimeter shooting and ball handling key issues

[GVGjr]

Interesting squad GVG:

I think the four bigs you mention pick themselves if fit in Bogut, Anstey, Neilsen and Anderson. But then you could make cases for the emerging college big men, Nebraska senior Maric, big bodied Baynes or super freshman Ogilvy. And then there is the reigning NBL rookie of the year Jawai. I've got a feeling Jawai might get the nod because he brings a style and explosiveness that perhaps the others dont.

Its the wings and perimeter positions where there is more doubt. I think its highly unlikely McKinnon will be fit enough to play, and after having missed a whole year I think it would be crazy to select him. Its also somewhat unlikely he might be available, particularly if he moves to the Melbourne Tigers as is mooted.

CJ Bruton is a certainty at PG because he is experienced and knows the system and I just cant see Coach Goorj going with solely inexperienced guards Bruce and Mills.

Bruce had a somewhat disappointing senior year in college but was blooded at the World Champs but unable to find the dollars to fly himself home last year to be part of the Olympic qualifying. Mills obviously showed a bit as a freshman in the states, but is still a long way off the NBA

Many questions still to be answered?

Consistent perimeter shooting and ball handling key issues

We need to understand that our competition is mainly from South America and Europe and just forget about the US.
With that in mind I wouldn't want us to get too big.
What I like about of four talls set-up is that three of them can play both the power forward and centre positions which gives us great flexibility. Neilsen is the only one out the four that could be replaced but he has plenty of European experience which could be handy.

Jawai is a little too one dimensional and given Anderson can also play both centre and as a forward I don't think there is a space for Jawai. I don't know much about the College talls but they would have a hard time replacing any of the four that I nominated.

If MacKinnon isn't right then Redhage might get ahead of Mee for the one international player. Ingles could also move into MacKinnon. I think the game at the international level has passed MacKinnon but he seems one that the coach always wants in the team.

How would you see the final 12 taking shape?

[Bulldog Revolution]

We need to understand that our competition is mainly from South America and Europe and just forget about the US.
With that in mind I wouldn't want us to get too big.
What I like about of four talls set-up is that three of them can play both the power forward and centre positions which gives us great flexibility. Neilsen is the only one out the four that could be replaced but he has plenty of European experience which could be handy.

Jawai is a little too one dimensional and given Anderson can also play both centre and as a forward I don't think there is a space for Jawai. I don't know much about the College talls but they would have a hard time replacing any of the four that I nominated.

If MacKinnon isn't right then Redhage might get ahead of Mee for the one international player. Ingles could also move into MacKinnon. I think the game at the international level has passed MacKinnon but he seems one that the coach always wants in the team.

How would you see the final 12 taking shape?

You make fair points about the bigs, the thing with the college bigs, particularly OGilvy and Maric is that they probably dont provide anything different to what the group already has. Ogilvy had a terrific year and will most likely make the NBA at some stage, he'll probably play another year of college but he could cover for Matt Neilsen as an efficient scoring big man. Maric could also be on the NBA cusp this offseason.

The group I would favour would probably be:

C: Bogut, Anstey
PF: Anderson, Neilsen
SF: Worthington, Ingles
SG: Newley, Harvey
PG: CJ Bruton, Mills, Bruce

Last spot: Jawai or another perimeter guy? JSmith?

However there are a lot of question marks mostly at SG/SF.

PG: I would take all three point guards Bruton, Mills and Bruce, all our good handlers, and perimeter shooters - but I think they will select two and then pick a combo guard like Luke Kendall who can play a bit of both PG and SG. The problem with combo guys sometimes is that they just dont play either position well enough and I think that really sums up Kendall. Mee did a great job helping the team qualify but has been to injured in 08 to consider in my eyes.

SG: Newley should make the squad, he has a good first step, is good in transition, but he isn't the greatest perimeter shooter or defender but a year in Europe will hopefully have helped his game greatly. I am hoping that Jason Smith wont make the team as I hope some of the young guys have improved and beat him for the spot, I think its time to move on, he just doesn't hit enough shots, but Brian would be thinking of him as a potential captain. Mackinnon is just coming off the injury, he's still good at an international level because he is a great defender but I dont expect he will be available. Saville had a very average year in the NBL and I dont think he deserves to make it. Crawford, Ryan are training camp options but not much more, Barlow is similar. The guy who they probably wont pick but I think they should strongly consider is James Harvey. Harvey has never had a reputation as a great defender but has reportedly worked hard at it in the past year, and he is an incredibly smart scorer who can take a game by the scruff of the neck like few others and really hit from the perimeter. Against the Europeans being able to hit perimeter shots is absolutely crucial, all the PGs are good shooters but Newley and Ingles, are streaky. Mackinnon and Saville just don't shoot well at that type of level, and Smiths best shooting seems to be behind him IMO.

SF: Worthington predominantly plays PF/C in the NBL and is a very good player, but in this team he will play more SF/PF. He isn't a great ball handler, but is tough, a good post up player particularly on a smaller oponent, and a streaky perimeter shooter who hits in bunches. I'd back him up with Ingles who should eventually be a great all round player but who is still growing into his 6 foot 8 frame.

But thats not how I think they will pick the team

[GVGjr]

I like your squad but I'd question Harvey as he just doesn't commit himself like he should.

No spot for Mee as a tall, versatile and defensive minded guard? The point guards could be dominated by some of the tall European guards.

[mjp]

The group I would favour would probably be:

C: Bogut, Anstey
PF: Anderson, Neilsen
SF: Worthington, Ingles
SG: Newley, Harvey
PG: CJ Bruton, Mills, Bruce

Last spot: Jawai or another perimeter guy? JSmith?


No love for Redhage BR?

[Bulldog Revolution]

I like your squad but I'd question Harvey as he just doesn't commit himself like he should.

No spot for Mee as a tall, versatile and defensive minded guard? The point guards could be dominated by some of the tall European guards.

That may well happen with the big guards, and it might be part of Goorjians thinking if he goes with Kendall and not Bruce as the third PG option. I just dont think Kendall is a good enough option at PG to even consider, but he is a big physical defender. I would take 3 PGs because of the tournament nature of competition. If one of them gets injured then suddenly you are very light on for depth in that spot, and as we saw against Greece when they allowed Barlow to handle the ball things can go wrong.

I just cant see a spot for Mee in the squad. He deserves a huge amount of respect for having contributed last off season to ensuring we make the olympics but it ruined his 07-08 season and physically I think an olympic tournament will be too much for him.

Admittedly I haven't seen a lot of Harvey in 2008 but Shooting guard is the spot where it gets tough. The thing that Harvey is that they others aren't is a flat out scorer, the guy just has an incredible scorers knack for getting open, creating his own shot, using screens and hitting shots. And there aren't that many guys like that in the squad. I think his shooters mentality (and the ability to back it up) is sorely missing from the group and so I am overlooking any perceived weaknesses because I think the skill set he brings is so valuable.


No love for Redhage BR?


I really like Redhage mjp - but I am wondering whether you can have both Worthington and Redhage in the same team. Can he play the power forward spot in an international tournament? is he big enough? if he is going to be a full time small forward in this squad then I just dont think you can have both Worthington and him.

My feeling is that the coach is very committed to Worthington and that he sees him as a future Boomers captain.

I dont have a really good guage for what Redhage is like on the defensive end, and his comfort with Goorjs defensive systems at the training camps may be the decider that gives someone else in his spot. But his selection or non-selection will certainly be very interesting in the lead up to the Games.

[GVGjr]

MacKinnon and Smith are now out of calculations.

It will be interesting if the coach goes for a younger group or if he looks a bit more towards adding someone like Darnell Mee.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Yes, its going to be a great to see how it goes

- Goorj never should have considered Mackinnon given he hasn't played in 10 months anyway

It certainly opens the door for Joe Ingles, James Harvey, Damien Ryan, perhaps David Barlow, Luke Kendall and maybe Mee although I wouldn't select Mee due to fitness concerns either.

Mee has been one of the best imports ever to play in the country and was completely the driving force behind Adelaides two championships. Phil Smyths gameplan didn't work the same way once Mee left. But Mee also struggled with injury all year after hurting himself helping us qualify for the games and I have major queries over his age and ability to recover inbetween game in an international tournament

[Bulldog Revolution]

Insipid first up showing by the Boomers, beaten by Croatians 97-82. Whilst Croatia have a strong history as a basketball nation they are not expected to be in medal calculations.

Admittedly the Croatians shot the lights out, hitting 12 of 16 (75%) on 3 pointers but the only thing worse than our defence was the 10 minutes of Channel 7 coverage that featured 7 minutes of ads.

Opals a bit patchy in their first up 19 point win over Belarus but plenty of good signs given Jackson (18pts and 10 rebounds) and Taylor (12pts and 5 rebounds) did not play that well yet there numbers are pretty solid. But I'll raise bench depth as a bit of a concern and hope I my initial observations are wrong and that it was just an abberation with a few rookies caught in the olympic headlights performance.

[Bulldogs_6]

Croatia-underdogs at EVERYTHING :D Should be in contention for handball, water polo and basketball.

[Scraggers]

Insipid first up showing by the Boomers, beaten by Croatians 97-82. Whilst Croatia have a strong history as a basketball nation they are not expected to be in medal calculations.

Admittedly the Croatians shot the lights out, hitting 12 of 16 (75%) on 3 pointers but the only thing worse than our defence was the 10 minutes of Channel 7 coverage that featured 7 minutes of ads.

Opals a bit patchy in their first up 19 point win over Belarus but plenty of good signs given Jackson (18pts and 10 rebounds) and Taylor (12pts and 5 rebounds) did not play that well yet there numbers are pretty solid. But I'll raise bench depth as a bit of a concern and hope I my initial observations are wrong and that it was just an abberation with a few rookies caught in the olympic headlights performance.

Very disappointed with channel 7's coverage ... again

How many sports telecast are they going to be allowed to butcher (case in point the footy)

[Bulldog Revolution]

Very disappointed with channel 7's coverage ... again

How many sports telecast are they going to be allowed to butcher (case in point the footy)

The Boomers coverage the other night was incredibly frustrating

They promoted it all day, and all night, then showed a butchered highlights package of the third quarter which featured more ads than baskets before jumping to the final score.

Opals were better last night - Harrowers first half scintilating and Penny Taylors very good.

[westdog54]

Terrible news for the Opals: Penny Taylor went down in the 3rd quarter of their quarter final against Czech Republic, rolling her ankle. No news yet on how serious it is. Took the gloss off what was otherwise a wonderful win.

How good were the Boomers against Lithuania?

[Bulldog Revolution]

I wouldn't play Penny Taylor in the semi against China and give her another two days to get her ankle right for the gold medal game. Now in some ways that is the opposite of what a coach would do, looking one game ahead, but I think the group should be able to account for China without Taylor. I'd be trying to give the team the best shot at beating the USA, but it is gambling with a silver medal but thats what it takes to win gold. IMO it will be very difficult for the Opals to beat the USA anyway, and particularly without Penny.

Boomers were absolutely awesome against Lithuania - the pecking order has been clearly established Bogut, Newley as the main interior and perimeter options - then the rest, Nielsen doing the 1-2%ers, Bruton and Mills calling the shots and Andersen, Anstey scoring beautifully off the bench, It was a thing of beauty.

10pm tonight will be interesting to see whether we can execute our offence against the most athletic players in the world. They've disrupted everybody elses offence and its led to easy baskets in transition. If we can stop that for most of the game it will be very interesting.