Mixed messages as Mitchell roasts Boomers star
USA Basketball star Donovan Mitchell has labelled Utah Jazz and Australian sharpshooter Joe Ingles the “heart and soul” of the Boomers.
The pleasantries, however, were brief as the excitement machine, with tongue firmly in cheek, hurtled shade at Ingles’s age and athleticism.
Asked if he would dunk on Ingles should the opportunity arise, the popular guard, runner-up to Australia’s Ben Simmons in the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year, revelled in the prospect.
“I mean, I think he’ll foul me before it gets to that point since he can’t jump that high anymore,” Mitchell said yesterday, as USA and Australia both finalised preparations for tonight’s blockbuster international friendly at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.
“He’s (Ingles) getting kind of old, I think he’s like what … 55 or 56?
“We’re going to have some fun but we’re ready to compete as well, if I get the chance I’m going to try.”
Australia is armed with an arsenal of “deadly” shooting options but Mitchell declared “trash talker” Ingles as USA Basketball’s biggest threat, with and without the basketball.
“He’s a very cerebral player, thinks the game, knows the game, crafty, finds ways to get into the paint, a deadly threepointshooter, he’s definitely going to be a priority for us,” Mitchell said.
“He’s really one of the heart and souls of that team, maybe not the leading scorer but he does everything and I think that’s one thing that makes him so valuable, not only to the Jazz but the Australian team as well.”
Trash talk, too, is part of the repertoire but Mitchell is well versed on the “lingo”, having roomed with Australian Deng Adel in college prior to partnering Ingles at Utah.
“I don’t think he’ll get under mine (skin) because I’ll start laughing,” Mitchell said.
“He’s definitely one of those guys that gets you irritated.
“I don’t want to share too much (of what he says) because a lot of it probably shouldn’t be on camera, but if you heard it you would be laughing. It sounds as funny as it looks on TV.”
Jokes aside, Mitchell conceded there will be “jitters for everybody” playing in front of more than 50,000 Australian fans tonight.
“They’ll all be cheering against us,” Mitchell said.
“I like that, I prefer it … it’s going to be fun.”