A History of the Australian Boomers

With the Olympics only a couple of weeks away I thought I would look at the evolving nature of the Australian Boomers basketball team.  Going all the way back to the 1996 Games in Atlanta, USA to this month’s London 2012 Olympics it’s interesting to see how the team has changed and where the players are coming from.  Let’s start 16 years ago...

1996 Atlanta Olympic Games

This team was the highlight of the last twenty years as they blasted nearly everyone in Group B, winning four out of their five games, putting them second in the group and scoring over 100 points in those four wins.  They got pounded by Yugoslavia but everyone in the group did.  In the quarter finals they were matched up with Croatia and on the back of a last second three pointer by Tony Ronaldson they escaped by two points to move on to the semi finals, where they would be against the mighty USA.  Losing 101-73 put them in the Bronze medal game which they lost by a heartbreaking six points against Lithuania.

The squad was made entirely of NBL players –

Andrew Gaze (captain) – Melbourne Tigers

Tony Ronaldson – South East Melbourne Magic

Sam Mackinnon – South East Melbourne Magic

Scott Fisher – Perth Wildcats

Pat Reidy – North Melbourne Giants

Brett Maher – Adelaide 36ers

Tonny Jensen – North Melbourne Giants

Shane Heal – Sydney Kings

Mark Bradtke – Melbourne Tigers

John Dorge – South East Melbourne Magic

Andrew Vlahov – Perth Wildcats

Ray Borner – Canberra Cannons

Some massive names from the history books of Australian basketball and it was no wonder that the team came so close to winning a medal.  Things would change with time.

2000 Sydney Olympic Games

With only six players returning from the 96 games there was a lot of pressure on the younger guys to step up and produce.  Luckily for the team Luc Longley put his hand up to play which helped immensely.  In group B the team was average, winning three out of their five games and interestingly finished with a measly +1 in points difference.  The team lost their first two games, going down to the Steve Nash led Canadians by 11 and losing again to Yugoslavia by 14.  That would mean they have to win their next three games, which they did.  Four points did it against Russia, eleven against Angola and in the final game of the group they beat Spain by eleven.  That would mean they came up against Italy in the quarter finals, beating them by one shot, 65-62 but lost again in the semi finals, this time to France 76-52.  In a severe case of déjà vu they squared off against Lithuania again for Bronze where they faltered and lost by a massive 18 points, 89-71.

Again this time all but one player on the squad was playing in the NBL –

Andrew Gaze (captain) – Melbourne Tigers

Chris Anstey – Victoria Titans

Mark Bradtke – Melbourne Tigers

Martin Cattalini – Adelaide 36ers

Ricky Grace – Perth Wildcats

Shane Heal – Sydney Kings

Luc Longley – Phoenix Suns (USA)

Sam Mackinnon – Townsville Crocodiles

Brett Maher – Adelaide 36ers

Paul Rogers – Perth Wildcats

Jason Smith – Victoria Titans

Andrew Vlahov – Perth Wildcats

Still the big names but some up and comers like Chris Anstey and Jason Smith.  What is great about this squad is that Longley played, showing that Australians can play overseas and play well, which will be a continuing trend in the next few games.

2004 Athens Olympic Games

There were five returning players from the Sydney games but the heavy hitters, like Andrew Gaze, Luc Longley and Andrew Vlahov had retired.  And it showed, as the team wallowed to a 1-4 record and second last in the group.  What makes matters worse is that their only win was against bottom placed Angola who had an average losing margin of 20 points a game.  That put us in the 9^th place classification match against New Zealand where we beat the Tall Blacks 98-80, a small victory when it made us 9^th instead of 10^th.  The less said about this campaign the better.

There were now three players playing overseas, up from the one at Sydney –

Shane Heal (captain) – Sydney Kings

Tony Ronaldson – Perth Wildcats

Brett Maher – Adelaide 36ers

Andrew Bogut – University of Utah (USA)

Martin Cattalini – Adelaide 36ers

John Rillie – West Sydney Razorbacks

CJ Bruton – Sydney Kings

Jason Smith – Sydney Kings

Glen Saville – Wollongong Hawks

David Anderson – Montepaschi Siena (Italy)

Matthew Nielsen – Sydney Kings

Paul Rogers – Casademont Girona (Spain)

As you can see all of the legendary players had left except for Shane Heal and Andrew Bogut was a 19 year old college player, this was very much a rebuilding year and it showed on the standings.  However, there were triple the amount of players playing overseas than the last Olympics which is a good sign for Australian basketball.

2008 Beijing Olympic Games

Six past players took part in the China games but it seemed there was a youth initiative happening, with six players 25 years or younger.  Similar to the Sydney Olympics, the team lost their first two games but went on to win their next three to come fourth in the group.  It was the young brigade who led the way, with one of those six under 25 players leading the scoring in all but one game.  Unfortunately coming fourth put them square against the  ‘Redeem Team’ Americans where they were handsomely thrashed 116-85 but put up a fight in the first half, only being down by 12 but were blown out of the water in the second half.  As there was no seeding playoff game the team finished seventh but were equal fifth on win/loss which was a great turnaround.

There were now five players playing overseas, nearly half the team –

Matthew Nielsen (captain) – BC Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)

Chris Anstey – Melbourne Tigers

Patrick Mills – Saint Mary’s (USA)

Andrew Bogut – Milwaukee Bucks (USA)

Joe Ingles – South Dragons

Brad Newley – Panellinios (Greece)

CJ Bruton – New Zealand Breakers

David Barlow – Melbourne Tigers

Mark Worthington – South Dragons

Glen Saville – Wollongong Hawks

David Andersen – FC Barcelona (Spain)

Shawn Redhage – Perth Wildcats

As Australians are getting more and more recognition throughout the basketball world they are getting snapped up by talent hungry teams, shown by the five foreigners out of the twelve.  But that is nothing compared to this year’s squad.

2012 London Olympic Games

As the games haven’t been played yet I can’t give a recap so here is the team –

Matthew Nielsen (captain) – BC Khimki (Russia)

Peter Crawford – Townsville Crocodiles

Patrick Mills – San Antonio Spurs (USA)

Adam Gibson – Gold Coast Blaze

Joe Ingles – FC Barcelona Regal (Spain)

Brad Newley – Valencia BC (Spain)

Matthew Dellavedova – Saint Mary’s (USA)

David Barlow – CB Murcia (Spain)

Mark Worthington – Gold Coast Blaze

Aron Baynes – Ikaros Kallitheas BC (Greece)

Daniel Kickert – Turow Zgorzelec (Poland)

Aleks Maric – Panathinaikos BC (Greece)

David Andersen – Mens Sana Basket (Italy)

As you can see, all but three players are from the NBL and in my opinion is a great showing of Australian basketball.  Sure the NBL suffers as the league would like to have all of these players competing in the Australian league but it just goes to show that the world is sitting up and taking notice of the Aussies in the world and I would love to see all of the players competing in the Olympics be from overseas teams as it shows that this country exports so great talent.

How will the team go?  Who knows but I’m pumped to find out, only three weeks to go!

Australians in the NCAA

There are currently 53 Australians (and two New Zealanders) currently playing in the American college basketball system.  I’m sure all of them are having the time of their lives, trading baskets with some of the best young basketballers in the world.  Hopefully for some, after their collegiate career is over they can come back to Australia and find a roster spot on an NBL team.  It sure would be having a normal, nine to five job in the real world.  Here are my top ten players who I would love to see pull on an NBL jersey in the near future.

1.       Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary’s, Junior, 193cm, 86kg, Guard

37.0 minutes, 15.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.1 blocks, 0.9 steals

The recently anointed West Coast Conference Player of the Year, Dellavedova has been a star since the first time he stepped on the Gael’s court.  Already a member of the Boomers side and an emphasis on quality point guard play in the NBL, I’m sure there will be many teams knocking on his door when he graduates from Saint Mary’s.

2.       Brock Motum, Washington State, Junior, 208cm, 104kg, Forward

32.3 minutes, 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.4 blocks, 0.5 steals

In the tough Pac-12 conference which includes the likes of Arizona, UCLA, Stanford and Washington, Motum has devoured them all.  At a healthy 6 foot 10 he has the skills to be a great power forward/centre in this league, a luxury for the big man starved teams around.  I could see him doing wonders in Wollongong or in a new Brisbane team where he grew up.

3.       Ryan Broekhoff, Valparaiso, Junior, 201cm, 98kg, Guard-Forward

32.2 minutes, 14.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 blocks, 1.3 steals

A versatile small forward, Broekhoff has broken out this year.  He has eleven double doubles this year which is crazy for a swingman and leads all Australians in rebounding by a wide margin.  The Frankston native has increased his production every year at Val so next season should be very exciting.

4.       Anthony Drmic, Boise State, Freshman, 198cm, 91kg, Guard-Forward

30.1 minutes, 12.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.2 blocks, 1.2 steals

The younger brother of NBL player Frank Drmic, Anthony is already carving out his own path at mid-major Boise State.  For a freshman to average over 30 minutes per game in the competitive Mountain West Conference is astounding and his numbers are very good as well.  Keep a look out for Drmic in the next three years as he will be very sought after when he leaves college.

5.       Hugh Greenwood, New Mexico, Freshman, 191cm, 95kg, Guard

22.0 minutes, 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.4 blocks, 0.9 steals

A combo guard that can do most things, Greenwood made a name for himself while representing Australia in the junior championships; he is also turning heads for the Lobos of New Mexico which is a good team.  Those numbers are very rounded and as a freshman has plenty of time to refine his game and take charge in the future.

6.       Jackson Aldridge, Butler, Freshman, 183cm, 82kg, Guard

14.4 minutes, 4.0 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.0 blocks, 0.4 steals

Aldridge may not have the numbers like the rest of the players on this list but he does play for Butler, a perennial tournament piece.  At only six foot he is a little on the short side but he also was a part of the Australian junior squad and should get his chances in the next year or two.

7.       Jeromie Hill, UTSA, Sophomore, 203cm, 104kg, Forward

30.7 minutes, 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 blocks, 0.9 steals

The first response I had was, “where is UTSA?”  When I found out (San Antonio) I saw that Hill is leading his team in rebounds and third in scoring and I decided that he is someone to keep an eye on.  Only a second year player he is very consistent, putting up similar numbers in his freshman year.  Hopefully he continues to grow into an NBL calibre player.

8.       Jordan Vandenberg, North Carolina State, Junior,  216cm, 117kg, Centre

11.9 minutes, 2.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.7 blocks, 0.0 steals

He’s over seven feet tall.  That would be enough for most teams in the NBL to at least have a look at Vandenberg because his numbers aren’t eye popping.  However, when you take into account that he is in the arguably best conference in America which includes juggernauts like Duke and North Carolina I sit up and listen.  Any player who can get on a team in the ACC and get nearly twelve minutes a game is talented enough to give a roster spot to.  Hell, Ater Majok did nothing when he was at UConn or even Perth or Gold Coast and he got drafted into the NBA!

9.       Corey Maynard, Bryant, Sophomore, 191cm, 84kg, Guard

34.5 minutes, 11.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.1 blocks, 1.1 steals

I haven’t seen much of Maynard in his two years at Bryant University but when a sophomore averages nearly a full game of basketball my ears perk up.  He isn’t the best shooter (only 41% from the field and 60% from the line) and his team was a mind boggling 2-26 for the season but I’m going to keep base with Maynard to see if his numbers aren’t just stat padding.

10.   (tie)  Clint Steindl (Senior), Jordan Page (Sophomore), Mitchell Young (Junior), Saint Mary’s

The other Australians on the Aussie overloaded Mary’s team can make an NBL side if the put in the work.  Their numbers are down all across the board to last season as other players are filling in their spots but I’m sure at least one of these players will be on an Australian basketball team in the near future.

There are more prospects out there (Cody Ellis, Joel Naburgs) and with more and more Australians going over to America to get experience the future looks bright for the NBL.  I hope your brackets this year aren’t too bad like mine was season.

Why Sports Are Just Tops

I hate when some people say sports are just people running around kicking balls.  Or for guys to touch each other’s balls.  That’s like saying art is just paint on a wall.  Or music is just noise.  It is insulting to me as a sports fanatic to have my favourite past time boiled down to its bare elements.  To all the non-sporty people out there reading this (yeah right, the people who read this blog are obviously sports fans, but this is hypothetical) then read on and I will tell you why basketball and sports in general are not just kicking or throwing a ball around to quench our primal instincts.

1.       It brings communities together

Go to a sold out Melbourne Tigers game and try and tell me that sports don’t bring people together.  Watching the first game of the season when the Tigers squared against the Kings the crowd was electric.  Seeing a prim girly girl next to an overweight aging man cheering together is magic.  Walk down a busy Melbourne street in peak AFL season wearing a team’s colours and don’t be surprised if you get stopped and have an impromptu conversation about the team’s performance.  Sports are ingrained into the population; it is in our bones.  This brings me to my next point.

2.       Everyone knows about sports

When I was growing up I was told by my mum that if I want to start a conversation with a stranger then I should use the FOSH method: Family, Occupation, Sports and History.  Any and all of these subjects are great starting blocks for striking up a discussion with a person you have never met before.  Think about that, in a sports mad country like ours sports are one of the basic talking points that can be used on almost anyone.  Most people will have a favourite sports team even if they don’t follow the sport or have no idea who is in the squad.  Living in New South Wales I have seen the impact sports have on people and surprisingly hardcore NRL fans still have a favourite AFL team and will check in on the league every now and again because sports are universal.

3.       It shows off the physical peak of human fitness

Pop quiz, what kind of men do women lust over?  Some correct answers are firemen, actors and sportsmen.  I really don’t think that a young 20-something female would be getting all hot and bothered over a sculptor.  Professional athletes are fit because their work demands it.  They push their bodies to their physical peak to get a better advantage on their competition.  Basketball players spend hours in the gym sculpting their body to match the needs of the game.  Some marathon runners have a resting heart rate in the 40s while LeBron James is six foot eight and can still make it up and down a basketball court like he is in fast forward.  This kind of body doesn’t come easy.  It shows an absolute dedication to their work and an unbelievably strong will which are characteristics most people look for in idols.  It is something to look up to so others can be motivated by their stories.  I remember watching a documentary with Jason Kidd who explained that he had to give up going to parties, give up on having a late night snack of leftover pizza and had to be focused on the goal, even before he was recruited to California for his college career.

Don’t think that all this talk of body sculpting and pumping iron re-enforces the ‘stupid jock’ stereotype.  Just look at flavour of the week Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks who graduated from Harvard University with a degree in economics and a 3.1 GPA.

4.       It brings out the best of human spirit

As many veterans of various wars can attest, war is the ultimate test of the human spirit.  It forces all forms of humans to dig deep and push through whatever hell the battle is putting them through.  Other tasks that push people are great adventures, like climbing great mountains or long and dangerous treks through harsh environments, and sports.

I’m not saying that sports are as soul defining as going to war but they do share some common characteristics.  They both have the respective participants overcome enormous odds; both tasks have a strong emphasis on camaraderie and both assignments forces the members of each team to really think about how they are going overcome those odds.  I love watching a team go on a run that brings the crowd to its feet and the team literally moves to another level.  Basketball is all about runs and stopping the opposition making one while you push for yours is intense.  When a player’s body has given up on them their spirit and courage is needed to will them over the line.

5.       It is extraordinarily complex...

Watching an experienced coach outsmart their opposition is fascinating to watch.  Seeing a team change strategies on the fly because the other team changed their strategy the play before is fantastic.  The little things about basketball and sports in general are one of the main things that draw spectators in droves.  When Carmelo Anthony was in Denver and Danilo Gallinari on the Knicks they had a showdown where each player demanded the ball to square off against the other was goose bump inducing.  Duels in sports are integral, whether it be on a small scale of a full forward battling for position against a full back or on a much larger scale like a Union team desperately trying to hold off the incoming charge of the opposition while clinging to a tiny lead in the dying seconds.

Another part of the complexity is the plays, whether they be set or free styled.  It’s fantastic to see a cricket captain set a field for a specific batsman and seeing said batter fall into the trap.  This is especially noticeable in basketball, where set plays are designed to score baskets as efficiently as possible.  The usuals like the triangle and flex are well known around the basketball community but there are thousands of manoeuvres that test both defences and offenses alike.

6.       ...yet can be played by nearly everyone

There are so many people in the world that play sports it’s probably impossible to get an accurate number.  I would guess that at least 95% of the entire world population has played some kind of sport in the lifetime.  Most sports are extremely easy to get into but if people continue with their chosen love then they will be welcomed with statistics, strict dietary requirements and an itch that will never go away (in a good way).  This kind of accessibility just can’t be matched by other kinds of activities.

There are my six reasons why sports are more than cavemen having a “who’s bigger” contest.  If sporting snobs actually took the time to look into the different kinds of contests they might just get hooked themselves.

2012 Australian Boomers Squad (with a twist)

Two weeks ago I outlined my favourites for the 2012 Olympic basketball gold medal so this week I thought I would go through my Australian team for the tournament.  There is one twist, as only players who are competing in the NBL at the moment qualify for selection.  I have picked a fifteen man squad with three players for each position to go into battle with the best of the best.

Point Guard

Starting PG – Adam Gibson (Gold Coast)

Gibson may be having a down year by his standards but he is still the premiere point in the league.  His previous experience with the Boomers will be vital and standing 188cm he won’t be pushed around by the opposing PGs.

First Bench PG – Rhys Martin (Wollongong)

The one shining light out of Wollongong, Martin has become an outstanding distributor.  In only nine games this season he has had two nine assist games and a seven assist game but with the dearth of scoring on the Hawks team he has had to pick up his offensive game even more.  Put him with better scoring options and sit back and watch his fantastic point play.

Second Bench PG – Brad Robbins (Perth)

He may not be the best shooter, in fact he is probably in the lower half of the league but his defence is unavoidable.  His grit and determination is top class and every team needs a hardnosed defender to nullify opposing guards.  He may not be able to shoot well but he can still get to the rack and battle with the trees.

Shooting Guard

Starting SG – Stephen Weigh (Adelaide)

I would class Weigh as a SF but he is definitely capable of manning this position and it gives the team some extra height to battle the bigger teams out there (USA, Spain).  The 36er can also spread the floor which will be imperative for the team’s big men who need space to do their work.

First Bench SG – Aaron Bruce (Sydney)

Even though I am not a huge fan of Bruce and have been quite critical I must admit that if he plays with disciple he can be a great asset.  His shooting can change games and the team will need another ball handler in some games to break full court presses.

Second Bench SG – Brad Hill (Cairns)

Hill starting the season like a NBA Live game with cheat codes.  Having multiple high quality games in a row people were looking at him for an All-NBL selection.  However his last four games he has gone 6/24 and fallen off the face of the Earth.  I am taking a gamble here as I’m banking on having the Brad Hill from earlier in the season that did everything.

Small Forward

Starting SF – Peter Crawford (Townsville)

The pickings for SF were slim but Crawford is one guy I would select straight away.  He will be the glue of the team as he does just about everything a coach wants him to do.  He shoots well and is deadly from outside the arc, he can rebound, pass, defend and just be a nuisance if needs be.  It may not be a glamorous job but someone needs to be that guy who just fits with the team.

First Bench SF – Mark Worthington (Gold Coast) [Captain]

I was tossing up between putting Worthington as a PF or SF, and even considering putting him in the starting SF position but I believe this is where he will fit best.  That doesn’t mean that he is a bench warmer as I want Worthington to be a ‘super-sub’ who comes off the bench but gets starters minutes in both the forward positions.  His objective?  To do what he does best, rebound and hit big shots and lead from the front which is why I have selected him to captain this squad.

Second Bench SF – Anatoly Bose (Sydney)

The young King is a bombshell, even being designated the nickname ‘An Atomic Bomb’ because he can score quickly and from anywhere.  He isn’t quite at the point where he can be counted on for big minutes at this level but a cameo here and there will go a long way for this team.

Power Forward

Starting PF – Cameron Tragardh (Melbourne)

Trigger has shown that he is more than capable of leading a team from the front.  He will need to reach another level to compete with the best PFs in the world as he might be going up against Luis Scola, Pau Gasol and god forbid, Dirk Nowitzki.  But right now, he is the best PF in the NBL, no question.

First Bench PF – Jacob Holmes (Townsville)

Every team needs a rebounder and there isn’t many better than Holmes.  He is the yin to Tragardh’s yang and young Jacob can make up for Trigger’s weaknesses.  His scoring and passing skills are two delicious cherries on the top of the sundae.

Second Bench PF – Shawn Redhage (Perth)

Another bench player who will get more minutes than his depth chart rank dictates, Redhage is a hell of a player and will make this team move smoother.  He is a cool customer which will help the team when it gets into hot water.  I’m 99% sure that he has dual citizenship which will allow him to play for Australia but if someone can confirm this then I would put him above Holmes as the first PF off the bench.

Centre

Starting C – Julian Khazzouh (Sydney)

The best player in the NBL bar none and far and away the best Australian.  If Sydney used him more than they would be in a better state but that is going off topic.  Khazzouh should be in the real Boomers squad and should have a breaking out party in 2012 being guided by Andrew Bogut.  Khazzouh should be the focal point of this team if they want to compete.

First Bench C – Daniel Johnson (Adelaide)

He is really blossoming into a legit star player this season and should continue to grow.  Has a silky smooth jumper that will stretch some centres and likes to battle for rebounds.  I have put him as the first bench C not because I think he is better than the next centre but I want to see what he can do at the biggest basketball tournament in the world.

Second Bench C – Luke Schenscher (Townsville)

Still injured at the moment so I haven’t had a chance to see him in action this season but he will be healthy by the time the Olympics roll around.  The tall red head knows about playing on the big stage which will go a long way in teaching Johnson the way of the Olympics.

Coach – Rob Beveridge

His ability to direct players while also letting them play will be paramount to a team that will most likely be overmatched in talent.  The players need to work as a team rather than rely on individual greatness.

As you can see the team is lacking genuine talent in a lot of areas, especially at the two.  Which is understandable as that position is usually taken up by Brad Newley and/or Joe Ingles who went to Europe to work on their game.  I believe I have compiled a good list of newcomers and old hats which spreads out the experience levels but this just my opinion and you might have a completely different team.

Do you have any changes to the team?  Don’t believe that someone should be in the team or another player is too low?  Tell me your team in the comments section below.

I love the Olympics

I love the Olympics.  I love nearly everything about them except for the terrible coverage by the commercial networks and the undecipherable athlete names.  I even love the Winter Olympics with their weird and scary sports like Skeleton and Biathlon.  But the main thing I love about the Olympics is it is the best time for basketball fans to see the greatest players playing at the same time.  Sure the World Championships are a big deal but whenever the Olympics roll around country pride is at an all time high and a hell of a lot more people are tuning in.  Tell me, when was the last time someone outside Europe watched a game of Handball outside of the Olympics?

There has been plenty of history since the sport was introduced in 1936 with notable stories, such as the American dominance that is embodied by the 1992 ‘Dream Team’ super team filled with the likes of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson who averaged a 44 point winning margin and never called a time out.  Or the shock win by Argentina in 2004 when the USA came in an humbling third.  Australia has a deep history as well, competing in thirteen of the seventeen Games that basketball has been included and coming fourth three times.  Unfortunately that is the best that the men’s team has done, coming middle of the pack in the rest of the competitions.

This year will be no different.  There are at least two teams that could dethrone the USA juggernaut in Spain and France, while Argentina is the dark horse in the mix.  Here is a rundown of the countries who I think will be vying for the Gold in London.

Argentina

The winners of the 2004 Gold, Argentina still has the firepower to be a contender, especially if Manu Ginobili can bring his usual quirky style.  Luis Scola was in a league of his own at the World Championships and the South Americans will again be putting all their eggs in the Scola basket.  The big question is do they have enough talent to make up for the fact that Ginobili will be 35 years old when the tournament rolls around?

France

Tony Parker was outstanding in the European Championships and should lead from the front this time around.  They have a lot of NBA talent with Joakim Noah and Nicolas Batum and if Kevin Seraphin keeps developing they look to have a fantastic starting five.  The only downside is that a lot of young players on the team that will need to step up if they want to challenge Spain and the USA.

Greece

I don’t know much about the Greek teams because most of their players don’t go to the NBA but that doesn’t stop them from being an elite team in every Olympic Games.  What surprised me in Beijing is that their team was both younger than previous years and taller.  Greece may not have the most recognisable players to the average basketball fan but their teamwork and overall talent is not to be overlooked.

Lithuania

Another team that is always in the top echelon of the sport, Lithuania has become a bane in Australia’s campaigns.  Two of the three times Australia has played off for the Bronze Lithuania has knocked them back.  And with good reason as their teams have grit and determination which combines well with their natural talent.  Look for Jonas Valanciunas to break out after his otherworldly display at the under 18 World Championships.

Spain

Even before Serge Ibaka committed to Spain they looked dangerous.  All but two Spaniards have been linked to an NBA team and they boast depth that makes nearly all other teams weep in terror.  Chemistry is key but if previous showings are any indications they will challenge the USA for the Gold.

USA

What else can be said that hasn’t already been told by history?  Thirteen Golds out of the sixteen tournaments, numerous hall of famers in the same team, The Dream Team.  The USA are always favourites going into the Olympics and this year will be no different as a lot of Beijing’s team have expressed their interest in coming back to defend their title.  Unless they pick an All D-League side then anything less than gold will be a huge disappointment.

So you are probably wondering what all this has to do with the NBL, right?  As we all know that a few NBL players get picked to go along with all the other overseas Australians and next week I will go over my picks for the 2012 Boomers side, with one slight twist.