Basketball Boomers

[brod]

Didnt get to see any of it. Do you know if they started Mills? To have any chance of progressing he needs to play at least 30 mins a game.

Mills played 15 min
5/10 FG (4/6 3P)
1/2 FT
5 Ast
4 Reb
15 points

Bruton started and played 22 min
1/2 FG (1/2 3P)
2/2 FT
5 Ast
2 Reb
5 points

I know Boy Goorj and CJ Bruton have a long history but he HAS to give Mills the starting point role!! The kid is a gun and is sure to play NBA after this college season. An ESPN reporter who covered the warmup game between us and the dream team stated that Mills was the quickest player he's seen since Iverson. Give the kid a go.

Im hearing you Swoop, he is a better shooter that forces the defense out to cover him allowing the inside to open up more.

[brod]

GROUP A

Lithuania 3-0
Argentina 2-1
Croatia 2-1
Russia 1-2
Australia 1-2
Iran 0-3

GROUP B

USA 3-0
Spain 3-0
Germany 1-2
Greece 1-2
China 1-2
Angola 0-3

[brod]

To follow on the earlier talk of Bogut and his tournament -

Australia coach Brian Goorjian launched a stout defense of under-fire center Andrew Bogut after the Boomers' 106-68 win over Iran.

Bogut has been criticized Down Under for not putting up big numbers in the Australians’ defeats to Croatia and Argentina but Goorjian said no player can carry a team on his own.

"This competition is too good,” Goorjian said.

"Yao Ming cannot carry China on his back. What Bogut does in my environment has been my decision and how Bogut is used and was used today has been my decision.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/oly ... _arti.html

[brod]

A couple of comments from FIBA.com

- Lets examine Brian Goorjian's record. * Eastside Spectres - dead * South East Melbourne Magic - dead * Victoria Titans - dead * Sydney Kings - dead * Australian National Team - on life support Andrew Bogut may be an arrogant twit but he is not at fault. Brian Goorjian, the cancer of Australian basketball is. Get rid of the clown before he does anymore damage

- Bogut played in the olympics 4 years ago and played very good basketball with great stats for a 19 year old. His scoring, rebounding, assists and blocks have all improved each year in the NBA and he is now one of the best centres in the league. He is a much better player now than 4 years ago. However the structure of basktball that the boomers are playing completely takes the big me out of the game which is why Bogut, Anderson and Ansty appear to be playing the worse basktball of there life. Its got nothing to do with them its got everything to do with the coach. Bogut and Anderson get paid millions of dollars and are very good centres in their leagues and Ansty is just as good. Why have this sort of tallent and not use it. For Australia to win at this level they need to build a structure around these players which would also free up the guards to play better basketball as well. This wide open full court structure of basktball that goorjian is coaching is for an amateur league at best and isnt going to be competitive against any quality team. If Australia had a coach like Al Westover that revolves his game around big guys and defence these big guys would be getting involved and Australia would be a competitive team.

[brod]

Some Aussie stats after 3 games

Mills vs Bruton

Mills -- Bruton
68 miuntes 67
17/33 FG 4/9
5/10 3PFG 2/5
7/8 FT 2/2
7 Total Reb 7
6 Assists 9
3 Turnovers 3
5 Steals 6
46 Points 12

- Bogut, Andersen, Nielsen are the teams leading rebounders (4 rebounds per game)

- Australia is shooting at 50% from the field, but are getting to the free throw line 40% less than leading countries. Matt Nielsen is the only player to be averaging more than 3 FTA a game, and he's our worst free throw shooter at 58%.

- Does David Barlow just have the green light to KEEP shooting, even though he has made only 2/10 3PFG and is shooting overall at 36%?

[brod]

Tomorrows game between USA and Spain brings together the two best sides in the Olympics...betting is currently

USA 1.09
Spain 7.50

[Interceptor]

A couple of comments from FIBA.com

- Lets examine Brian Goorjian's record. * Eastside Spectres - dead * South East Melbourne Magic - dead * Victoria Titans - dead * Sydney Kings - dead * Australian National Team - on life support Andrew Bogut may be an arrogant twit but he is not at fault. Brian Goorjian, the cancer of Australian basketball is. Get rid of the clown before he does anymore damage

- Bogut played in the olympics 4 years ago and played very good basketball with great stats for a 19 year old. His scoring, rebounding, assists and blocks have all improved each year in the NBA and he is now one of the best centres in the league. He is a much better player now than 4 years ago. However the structure of basktball that the boomers are playing completely takes the big me out of the game which is why Bogut, Anderson and Ansty appear to be playing the worse basktball of there life. Its got nothing to do with them its got everything to do with the coach. Bogut and Anderson get paid millions of dollars and are very good centres in their leagues and Ansty is just as good. Why have this sort of tallent and not use it. For Australia to win at this level they need to build a structure around these players which would also free up the guards to play better basketball as well. This wide open full court structure of basktball that goorjian is coaching is for an amateur league at best and isnt going to be competitive against any quality team. If Australia had a coach like Al Westover that revolves his game around big guys and defence these big guys would be getting involved and Australia would be a competitive team.

It all seems pretty weird then that the Boomers would put in a respectful performance (albeit in a warm-up game) against the USA and I'm pretty Kobe Bryant was heard to say something like "they're obviously a well coached team"

Bogut didn't play in that game

Anyhow let's see how it unfolds in the last 2 qualifying games.

[Grahaml]

Those warm up tournaments are always strange. The intensity is way below that of a full tournament. Let's not forget that they're all good players at that level. Relax a little and any team will trouble.

The american way is to praise the coach all the time in basketball. Regardless of what opposition is put up the comment will be that a team is well coached. It's the basketball version of the AFL's "even competition" comment players always come up with no matter who the opposition is.

[colliver69]

Brod -- well done on the analysis of the joke that is Goorjan

After Barry Barnes in 2000, Goorjan took over and has done bugger all. We were crap in Athens, lucky to beat the Kiwis in the Com Games in Melbourne and face crisis time heading into todays game with Russia.

Part of me says I hope we win -- part also says I hope we get toweled big time to get rid of this goat of a coach

[smac]

Bogut seems to be playing to his own plan today, not the coaches - it seems to be working too.

[brod]

Boomers played a great game today to defeat Russia (95-80) and keep their Olympic dream alive. The Boomers were very agressive at both ends of the court, highlighted by the 34-15 FTA advantage that they enjoyed. Australia changed many of their rotations, with Ingles, Saville and Redhage not getting into the game, while Bogut played 28 minutes, scored 22 points and had 8 rebounds. Mills and Bruton also spent a lot of time on the court together, with Bruton having by far his best game of the tournament with 22 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Andersen and Nielsen did an excellent defensive effort on Russia's star Andrey Kirilenko keeping him to 6 points on 1/10 FG shooting.

Great to have the Boomers play the way they can..and should!!

[drebin]

Well the Boomers will need to ensure that they upset Lithuania and try and finish 3rd in their group otherwise 4th will find us facing the USA in the Quarter Finals and after they completely dismantled Spain last night by 37 points you would give Australia no hope!

[Grahaml]

I don't think it will make much difference who we play to be honest. At least if we play the americans we'll get the chance to see what Bogut, Mills and Newley can do against the best.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Great start against Lithuania 41-27 in the 2nd term. Big Fella Bogut on fire with 14 ... and building.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Big slam by the Bogeyman, Aussies 52-27 and on fire!!! Newley deadly from the 3 point line as well.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Half Time
Australia 55, Lithuania 29

I have never seen an Australian team play better. Let's hope they keep it going.

[Dirko]

55-29 half time...Shite !!

Wow looking good, BOGUT !!

Good call AH, they are playing very well....

[heater31]

Channel seven have once agian duped us again the final score is already on Adelaid Now

[Swooper16]

Its a delayed telecast....

[Dirko]

******* assholes

Damn ohh well...(I've had a look at the scores)...

Thank god Nine have the next Olympics, now to get them to lose the next AFL deal