Tokyo Olympics 2021: Joe Ingles reveals why the Australian Boomers are in a good space

After going within seconds of a medal in Brazil, Joe Ingles says the Boomers can exorcise their demons in Tokyo and make Aussie basketball history. Here’s why.

Joe Ingles will be making his fourth appearance on court at an Olympics, but is quietly upbeat about the medal prospects of the Aussies.

Fuelled by a “burning desire” lit by past heartbreaks, Australian basketball star Joe Ingles has made clear a medal at the Tokyo Olympics would mean more to him than an NBA title.

Set to compete in his fourth Games, with the campaign beginning on Sunday when the Boomers take on Nigeria, Ingles is desperate to make history and finally secure a podium finish for the Australian men’s team.

“It’s the reason we keep coming back,” Ingles told News Corp.

“It’s that burning desire to be the first team, to create history with this group and obviously get that gold medal. It’s something that continuously pushes us.”

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Australia was 9.7 seconds away from the bronze in Rio after an Aron Baynes hook shot dropped in against Spain. A controversial foul call at the other end and a Boomers’ turnover saw the medal fall through their fingers.

At the 2019 World Cup, it was Spain, again, who triumphed in double-overtime to book a place in the final, before Australia fell to France in the third-place playoff.

This time, it feels different, though. While a medal would make history, Ingles and Patty Mills have made clear throughout the lead-up that the goal is gold, not just anything around their neck. It’s a confidence “built over 12 years”, according to Ingles.

Joe Ingles after the heartbreaking loss in the men's basketball bronze medal game at the Rio Olympics. Picture: Adam Head

“It’s been a long journey,” he said. “But we feel like we’re in a good position on the court, off the court and primed and ready to go.”

At 33, there’s a very real chance this is Ingles’s last opportunity to taste glory at the Olympics and it’s part of the reason the Utah Jazz star, who has never lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy, is willing to put the Boomers dream over his NBA aspirations.

Asked what would mean more, an Olympic medal or an NBA title, Ingles couldn’t even get a word in before Mills interrupted.

“Olympic medal,” Mills said. Ingles agreed: “Olympic medal.”

Why?

“For us two, representing our country, playing not for just ourselves but for our families, and all the Australians, and again just that history of never having won,” Ingles said.

Joe Ingles and Patty Mills hug after Mills hit a three-pointer against Argentina in a warm-up game in Las Vegas earlier this month. Picture: AFP

“We’ve obviously got the passion and dedication to be the first team to bring it home.”

With head coach Brian Goorjian instilling a defensive mindset, and a roster that includes game-winning veterans sprinkled with an athletic crop of rising talent, the Boomers believe they finally have the right recipe to break their drought.

That journey will start against Nigeria, who beat the United States and Argentina in the lead-up, before being thrashed by a Boomers B-team in a 39-point reality check.

Ingles, who didn’t play in that game, is expecting a different Nigeria team in the opener.

“They’ve got a great coach,” Ingles said. “Mike Brown is obviously a veteran and has been around the NBA world for a long, long time.”

“They’ll obviously come out and put their best foot forward,” he added. “So, we’ve got to be ready.”