Boomers v Team USA: David Anderson says Australian basketball is on the up
VETERAN David Anderson believes the Boomers’ fighting loss to the US can put basketball on the map in Australia.
VETERAN David Anderson believes the Boomers’ fighting loss to the US can put basketball on the map in Australia.
Anderson has played for 19 years as a professional for three NBA clubs and in Europe and seen the soaring highs and crushing lows of Australian basketball.
They include the glory days of sold-out crowds and the lows of almost no publicity and clubs regularly going bust.
The Boomers’ 10-point loss to America was played out with much of the nation awake and aware of the monumental deed in coming so close to toppling the fabled Team USA.
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Anderson’s career will come full circle when he returns to the NBL to play with Melbourne United this year after starting in 1988 with the Wollongong Hawks.
Australia now has a thriving NBL league and a pipeline providing NBA draftees including Ben Simmons and Dante Exum.
Anderson said the game could make a big run for the hearts and minds of Australians after a Rio campaign which is going places.
“Hopefully it will put basketball on the map in Australia,’’ he said.
“It proves to people that Australian basketball is on the up.”
“Hopefully this creates a sense of pride among young basketballers that these guys are out there and they can compete against the best in the world and they are not far away from them.
“It’s the Australian way, you play balls out, everyone gives their all. We did that (against the US), we didn’t take a backwards step and guys were hungry for the win. Unfortunately we fell short but to their credit they hit some big shots and delivered in the crunch.
“It was a great fight and it gives us confidence and battle-hardens us for the next two games, which are crucial. We will come out and fight hard.’’
Anderson said his son might be at home in Melbourne wagging school to watch the best Olympic team Australia has assembled.
“Hopefully a lot of Australia was watching,” he said.
“Hopefully a lot of them missed school and watched this game.
“I know my kid probably did. Don’t tell the teachers that, but I hope it puts basketball on the map.’’
Like Anderson, Matthew Dellavedova grew up in a country dominated by the football and rugby codes.
He said the 10-point loss was evidence Australians did not take a backward step.
Dellavedova’s own championship victory this year, which was the fourth NBA ring won by Australians in three seasons, is more evidence of the creeping impact of basketball in Australia.
“We appreciate all the support back home,” he said.
“Australians can compete with anyone. We knew that coming in and we there are some positives we can take out of the game and definitely a lot of things we can improve upon.’’
Originally published as Boomers v Team USA: David Anderson says Australian basketball is on the up