Write up of Tuesday's game against the Australian National Team in a pre-Olympic warmup. I should have been at this game but couldn't make it. Hopefully I'll be at Thursdays rematch.
Australian Boomers vs Pac-12 college All-Stars highlights: Boomers by 9 in Game 1 of Rio farewell
There is a highlights video at the link.
Match Results:
The Australian Boomers have recorded an unconvincing nine-point victory in Game 1 of their Rio Olympics farewell series against the Pac-12 College All-Stars at Hisense Arena.
Unfortunately for the Boomers and the near sell-out crowd that turned up to watch the contest, both Andrew Bogut and Chris Goulding were kept out due to injury, while Matthew Delladedova joined them on the sideline with insurance papers yet to be cleared by his new NBA club, the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Boomers were expected to take a relatively easy win against the youthful and inexperienced pac-12 team from the United States, but it was anything but.
The All-Stars played with a near perfect mix of aggression and structure throughout the first half, and after taking a four point lead into the quarter time break were down by two at halftime.
The Boomers seemed to be unable to defend with any impact during the first quarter, and only a late run from Aron Baynes, who would top score with 28 points that brought the Boomers back to within four.
Australia were marginally better during the second quarter, but again it was mainly thanks to Mills and Baynes, with little bits of support from Kevin Lisch and Daivd Andersen to peg the All-Stars back.
Kadeem Allen was brilliant for the Pac-12 team, leading them with 15 points while Tra Holder, Dorian Pickens and Stephen Domingo added plenty on offence.
Josh Hawkinson was one of the All-Stars best, as he was strong in the paint and the only one really able to stand up to Baynes, while he defended well.
The third quarter saw the Boomers run away with the game though, and there would be no coming back for the pac-12 college all-stars, even if they kept the game alive during the fourth quarter and simply refused to go away.
It was the same players for the Boomers though, with Aron Baynes being untouchable in the paint. It raises questions for the Olympics though, with Baynes potentially unable to dominate against world class teams like he can a team of college players.
They would outscore the pac-12 team by 11 in the third quarter, and while the fourth quarter went more like the first, they managed to hold on for the victory.
Game 2 will be on Thursday, and the Boomers need to put on a much stronger showing as they continue to build for Rio. The All-Stars, with only NBA scouts to impress, and no expectations though will be no pushovers.
Final Score
Australian Boomers 92
Pac-12 College All-Stars 83
Match Preview:
The Australian Boomers look to put the finishing touches on their preparations for the Rio Olympic Games with a pair of matches against the Pac-12 College All-Stars at Hisense Arena. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of Game 1 from 7:30pm (AEST).
The Boomers have been rated a solid chance for a medal in Rio, and that doesn’t really come as a surprise when you look at their squad.
Unfortunately for the Boomers, Andrew Bogut will miss these matches – and most likely the Olympics – while youngsters Ben Simmons and Dante Exum have opted out of the Games to focus on their burgeoning NBA careers
However, there is still a lot of talent in the side, which is made up of players from the NBA, NBL and right around the world.
Matthew Delladedova and Patty Mills are the obvious drawcards, and will have a massive role in keeping the ball moving from the guard positions, while fellow NBA players Joe Ingles and Cameron Bairstow should be included in the starting five.
With Bogut out, Detroit’s Aron Baynes and will play a massive role in the side. Backed up with NBL talent in the form of Chris Goulding and defensive extraordinaire Daniel Martin, it is easy to see why the Boomers are one of the favourites for Rio.
Their style is likely to be a fairly aggressive one, with scoring options in Delladedova and Mills at the one and two guard spots. If they can get their floor spacing right, then Baynes will have a big say inside the paint.
The college side is full of future NBA stars. Josh Hawkinson, Jordan McLaughlin and Wesley Gordon, who all received accolades at the end of their college seasons, will lead the side as they try to knock over one of the better international sides in world basketball.
Hawkinson, playing for Washington, had a massive junior year by recording 20 double doubles in 29 games and is touted as one of brightest upcoming stars, with the ability to play either forward position.
Gordon is likely to play out of the post and has great shot blocking ability, while McLaughlin will lead the team from the point after a strong year at the University of South Carolina.
Chance Comanche, the team’s only true centre, will have an important role to play, particularly in keeping Nate Jawai off the glass.
It might be a preparation game for the Boomers, but they’ll still be looking to get as much out of the game time as possible as the Olympics draw nearer and nearer.
Prediction
The Boomers should have too much talent and experience for the exciting 12-pac All-Stars, but it will be one entertaining game with plenty of future NBA players on the court.
