Living their hoop dreams
Simmons, Mills set to lead record Aussie contingent in NBA, writes Olgun Uluc
ANOTHER year; another host of Australians set to make an impact in the NBA.
The 2017-18 season has the potential to be the most exciting in recent memory, when looking at the potential production of the Australians in the league.
With a record eight Australians – nine if you include the one Aussie on a two-way deal – on NBA rosters heading into opening night, we break down what to expect from them this season.
BEN SIMMONS, Philadelphia 76ers
How he got here: Simmons spent three years at Montverde Academy before committing to LSU. After one season on the Baton Rouge campus, the Melbourne native was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the No.1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. Simmons missed an entire season with a foot fracture, so the 2017-18 season will be his rookie year.
Season forecast: If Simmons’ pre-season is anything to go by, he’ll enter the regular season as the favourite to win the league’s Rookie of the Year award. The 21-year-old will play the point guard spot, on both ends of the floor, with every offensive play going through him. Where Simmons will be effective, however, is in the open floor, where he’ll use his speed, ability to push the ball and court vision, to create plays in transition.
PATTY MILLS, San Antonio Spurs
How he got here: Mills spent two years at St Mary’s before being selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 55th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. The 28-year-old played two years in Portland and, during 2011’s lockout, spent time in Australia and China. In March 2012, Mills signed with the San Antonio Spurs, helping
the team win the 2014 NBA Championship. As a free agent this off-season, Mills signed a four-year, $50 million to return for his fifth season with the Spurs.
Season forecast: Mills is coming off a career year, and, after re-signing with the Spurs on an immense deal, the point guard looks to be in for an even better season.
With Tony Parker likely out until January after quad surgery, Mills will get the bulk of the minutes at the point guard spot, and will be asked to increase both his scoring, and distribution output.
JOE INGLES, Utah Jazz
How he got here: The 30-year-old Ingles completed a stint at the Australian Institute of Sport before signing with the South Dragons in the NBL. After playing in Spain and Israel, the 29-year-old signed
with the Utah Jazz in 2014. Ingles recently re-signed with the Jazz on a four-year, $52 million deal.
Season forecast: While Ingles’ primary role will be similar – playing off the ball, as a spot-up sharpshooter – he’s handled the ball a lot more over the pre-season, so don’t be surprised to see even more of a playmaker.
ARON BAYNES, Boston Celtics
How he got here: Baynes graduated from Washington State University, and went undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft. The 29-year-old spent time in Lithuania, Germany, Greece and Slovenia before signing with the San Antonio Spurs in 2013. After two years with the Spurs, Baynes spent two seasons with the Detroit Pistons. This off-season, Baynes signed a one-year, $4.3 million deal with the Celtics.
Season forecast: Baynes’ one-year deal with the Celtics means he should have a big chance to prove his worth. The 30-year-old has already shown his ability to contribute offensively. Celtics will contend for the title, and Baynes has the opportunity to fill an important need for them.
MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA, Milwaukee Bucks
How he got here: After spending four years at St Mary’s, Dellavedova went undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft. The guard spent three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers – winning the 2016 NBA Championship – before testing free agency. He signed a four-year, $38 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2016 off-season.
Season forecast: The Milwaukee Bucks have remained relatively unchanged, so Dellavedova’s role with the team should remain intact. While the Australian was demoted to back-up point guard in the middle of the 2016-17 season, he was reliable for the Bucks’ second unit. The 27-year-old could play a major role in helping these Bucks make a legitimate push for the Eastern Conference championship.
THON MAKER, Milwaukee Bucks
How he got here: The Sudanese-Australian Maker grew up in Perth and Sydney, before moving to North America to continue his high school basketball career. He ended up at the Athlete Institute in Ontario in Canada, which led to him declaring for the 2016 NBA draft straight out of prep school. The 20-year-old Maker was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the No.10 overall pick.
Season forecast: Maker’s rookie season was a revelation, and, if his intense off-season is an indicator, his second year can only be better.
ANDREW BOGUT, LA Lakers
How he got here: Bogut spent two years at the University of Utah before being selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the No.1 overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft. After spending seven years in Milwaukee, he was traded to the Golden State Warriors, where he was a part of the 2015 NBA Championship winning team. In the 2016 off-season, the Warriors traded Bogut to the Dallas Mavericks. Bogut entered this off-season as an unrestricted free agent. He signed with the Lakers for the veteran’s minimum.
Season forecast: Bogut has had a long history with injuries, and may miss the Lakers’ season opener with a groin issue. Minutes aren’t guaranteed for the 32-year-old, but when he does see the floor, he has the potential to be effective. DANTÉ EXUM, Utah Jazz How he got here: Exum entered the 2014 NBA draft after time at the Australian Institute of Sport. Utah Jazz selected him with the fifth overall pick. A torn ACL kept him out of the Jazz’s 2015-16 campaign and the 2016 Rio Olympics. Season forecast: Exum suffered a shoulder injury in the pre-season and could miss the the entire 2017-18 season.
BONUS – MANGOK MATHIANG, Charlotte Hornets (two-way contract)
How he got here: Mathiang, who grew up in Melbourne after escaping South Sudan, played high school basketball in the US. He signed with Louisville, averaging 7.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game as a senior, before going undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft. After the Summer League, Mathiang signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets.
Season forecast: The nature of Mathiang’s contract means he’ll split his time with the Hornets and their NBA G-League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm.