CORE STRENGTH LIFTS BOOMERS
A RAISED profile has brought with it some new distractions but, in what Shane Heal sees as a silver lining, it will be the same old faces in China attempting to win the Boomers’ first international medal.
The Australian men have lost four bronze-medal games at the Olympics and never made it beyond the quarterfinals of a World Cup.
The final 12 assembling in China are a far cry from what could’ve been, especially when Philadelphia 76ers pair Ben Simmons and Jonah Bolden both committed.
Their withdrawals, Xavier Cooks’ injury and the scratching of NBA trio Dante Exum, Ryan Broekhoff and Thon Maker changed the equation for coach Andrej Lemanis.
Simmons’ mere presence in Melbourne during the World Cup build-up complicated matters further, with the NBA All-Star creating his share of extra headlines.
But former Boomers sharpshooter Heal has crunched the numbers and still likes what he sees.
Patty Mills, fresh off his starring role in the Boomers’ maiden upset of the United States, will lead the charge in tomorrow’s tournament opener against Canada.
Andrew Bogut, Joe Ingles, Matthew Dellavedova, Aron Baynes and late call-up David Barlow will ensure there is plenty of familiarity in a campaign that leaves little room for error.
“One stat that jumped out at me was that this core has played a collective 13 Olympics and seven World Cups together,” Heal said.
“I don’t know if there will be a better nucleus spread across all five positions in China and individually (since finishing fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics) they’ve achieved plenty.
“And the off-court distractions, I don’t think that’s worried these guys, they’re used to life in the NBA.”
Heal compared this era to that of the 1990s when he teamed with Andrew Gaze, Luc Longley, Mark Bradtke and Andrew Vlahov to consistently flirt with the prospect of an Olympic or World Cup medal.
“This group is very similar and I think they have the ability to go one better,” he said.
“Bogut is cherry ripe, Ingles and Mills are performing in the NBA and we have clear role players and a tight rotation, which is something we have struggled with in the past.”
Canada will prove a tricky first-up task while Senegal have improved and long-time performers Lithuania round out one of the tournament’s toughest first rounds.
Boomers assistant coach Bradtke has confirmed Bogut is expected to play against Canada tomorrow despite straining his right ankle.
Bogut fell awkwardly on his ankle in the closing stages of Australia’s 74-64 exhibition loss to Germany in China on Wednesday night.
The Sydney Kings big man went straight to the locker room for further diagnosis.
Despite the setback, Bradtke believes Bogut will be fit to take on Canada tomorrow (5.30pm AEST).
“He (Andrew) is walking just like normal,” Bradtke said.
“All positives from what I can see. Probably manage his court time in training and be ready for game one.”
The Boomers trained yesterday and will take to the practice court today in preparation for the Canada game.