Aussies Abroad: Jonah Bolden finally gets a chance to shine as Nathan Walker gets cut

AUSSIE NBA rookie Jonah Bolden has shown off his stunning all-round abilities dominating since being assigned to the Philadelphia 76ers’ G-League affiliate, but NHL compatriot Nathan Walker got some bad news off the ice.

Jonah Bolden has dominated since joining Philadelphia's G-League affiliate, but the news isn't so good for fellow Aussie and NHL Stanley Cup winner Nathan Walker.

THE talent is undeniable.

But Aussie NBA rookie Jonah Bolden (four appearances, 1.3 points in 3.8 minutes per game) was always going to have to bide his time in Philadelphia’s talented line-up.

Coach Brett Brown might have to think about finding some playing time for the 208cm son of NBL great Bruce Bolden after he dominated in his G-League debut with the Delaware Blue Coats over the weekend.

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Jonah Bolden has found minutes sparse in Philly, but not in the G-League. Picture: AP

Bolden was in EVERYTHING, filling the stat sheet with 28 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and three blocks, but he couldn’t get the Blue Coats over the line in a thrilling one-point loss to Raptors 905.

Jonah Bolden showing a little bit of everything early on for the @blue_coats.

Active hands on D, switching and holding his own on guards, rebounding, and as I type this a catch and shoot three.

Shows a good handle for his size. Would love to see better instincts in off ball D.

— NBA G League Guru (@MaesterHinkie) November 4, 2018

The 22-year-old is racking up the frequent flyer points, having been assigned to the Blue Coats on Thursday, brought back for the Sixers’ clash with the LA Clippers on Friday and then sent back again on Saturday.

While he struggled with his shot yesterday (just 4-15 shooting), he still had a double double with 12 points and 15 boards, to go along with three assists and three steals, but his side again fell, this time 132-124 to the Maine Red Claws.

Bolden’s Sixers were today stunned by the Brooklyn Nets, falling to their biggest loss of the season 122-97, despite 20 points and 12 rebounds from Aussie star Ben Simmons, who is now averaging 13.2 points, 9 rebounds, eight assists and 1.4 steals on the season.

El rookie de los Sixers, Jonah Bolden en su debut en G-League:

28 puntos
16 rebotes
5 asistencias
3 tapones#NBA

pic.twitter.com/AZJQW7tK5L

— MUNDO_DE_BASKET (@MUNDO_DE_BASKET) November 4, 2018

OTHER AUSSIES

PATTY Mills has produced his two best performances of the season in his last two outings for San Antonio, draining eight three-pointers in that time.

The 31-year-old’s mini purple patch started in a 109-95 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday with a near-triple double (15 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, 4-5 from the outside).

Today, he hit another four treys on his way to 16 points with three assists and three rebounds, but the Spurs fell 117-110 to lowly Orlando.

But his highlight of the week was catching up with Aussie athletics darling Cathy Freeman.

It’s 500 three-pointers up for Joe Ingles (13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists) as the Aussie became just the seventh Utah Jazz player to reach the magical mark in franchise history.

Slow Mo Joe had 19 points but his milestone was soured as the Jazz fell to the Memphis Grizzlies 110-100 and then was held to just four points as the Denver Nuggets inflicted their third straight loss, 103-88 yesterday. Hi three-point percentage has also dipped below 40 per cent for the first time in recent memory, but he still has 23 makes in nine games. Aussie running mate Dante Exum (8.8 points) has struggled making only 1-6 shots for three points in 19 minutes against the Grizz and then backing that up with just six points against the Nuggets.

Joe is one of 7 Jazz players to have 500 3-point makes in his career. pic.twitter.com/pMEKBvkjDj

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 3, 2018

Hulking Aron Baynes’ minutes have been stuck in the teens in three games since he returned from injury, his best performance coming against the Detroit Pistons with nine points and five rebounds last Monday. He’s averaging 7.2 points and 4.0 rebounds across six games, with one sick Halloween costume to boot.

The minutes continue to be sparse for Milwaukee Bucks pair Thon Maker and Matthew Dellavedova.

Maker has played in only four games and is averaging less than 13 minutes, but did get some extended run in superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence, producing 11 points and seven boards as the Bucks topped Toronto 124-109 last week.

Dellavedova (6.3 minutes across four games) did not play against the Celtics, but he did have five assists in eight minutes as the Bucks stomped Sacramento 144-109 today.

Dallas rookie Ryan Broekhoff has fallen out of the Mavericks’ rotation and hasn’t stepped on the court since October 25.

NFL

AFTER last week’s highlight-reel run, Michael Dickson has had another big game punting for Seattle.

While there weren’t any fireworks from the Australian rookie this time, Dickson’s kicking helped keep the Seahawks in the contest before losing on the final play of the game against Los Angeles Chargers.

Dickson’s six kicks averaged 52 yards, his best performance since his record-breaking 59-yard average on debut.

You can't spell "Michael Dickson is a very good punter" without "MVP".

— FootballFanatics247 (@FBFanatics247) November 4, 2018

The Sydney-native’s longest punt went 60 yards and he pinned the Chargers inside their 20-yard line with four of his six punts, which saw him finish with a net average (punt minus return) of 50 yards.

Despite flipping the field throughout the day, the Seahawks usually stout defence wasn’t able to stop Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers and running back Melvin Gordon.

At the same time in Denver, Adam Gotsis had a strong game on the Broncos’ defensive line.

The Australian defensive end had a season-high four tackles — helping keep Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller to a miserable 21 yards on 12 carries — but a missed field goal after the siren condemned the Broncos to a loss.

Earlier, in Pittsburgh, superstar Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stepped in for Aussie punter Jordan Berry in the win over Baltimore.

Big Ben left footed Punt 👀pic.twitter.com/xPvF7djaTP

— LeadingNFL (@LeadingNFL) November 4, 2018

On the first drive of the game, Roethlisberger tried to surprise the Ravens defence with a kick but was only too happy to hand back punting duties to Berry for the rest of the game.

Berry finished the game with three kicks for an average of 41 yards.

Lachie Edwards was also in action on Monday morning as his New York Jets crashed to another loss.

The Melburnian had six punts for an average of 46 yards and a long of 60 as the Jets went down to the Dolphins in Miami.

Nathan Walker has been placed on waivers by the Washington Capitals. Picture: Getty Images

NHL

AUSTRALIA’S history-making NHL star Nathan Walker has been placed on waivers by Washington Capitals.

After making the season-opening roster, Walker played the first two games of the season but has seen the ice just once since.

If Walker clears waivers he will return to the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate Hershey Bears.

However, the pacy winger could well find himself at another NHL club with the Capitals’ archrivals Pittsburgh Penguins reportedly interested.

Walker leaves the Capitals as a Stanley Cup winner. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

After a promising start — he tallied an assist in the opening day win over Boston — it’s a bitter blow for Walker as new coach Todd Reirden instead preferred Czech winger Dimtrij Jaskin and was ultimately squeezed out with Travis Boyd returning from a long-term injury.

It’s the third time in his young career Walker has been put on waivers. After debuting with Washington last year he was picked up by Edmonton before returning to the Caps for their winning Stanley Cup run.

In 40 games with Hershey last season, Walker scored nine goals and provided 13 assists with 36 penalty minutes.

MLB

BESPECTACLED Perth pitcher Peter Moylan will hit the Major Leagues free agency market after the Atlanta Braves opted against a qualifying offer to the relief pitcher.

Moylan, 39, joined the Braves in February, but struggled through a number of injuries before his season was curtailed in August.

Peter Moylan won’t be with the Atlanta Braves next season. Picture: Getty Images

Normally reliable Moylan struggled in 2018 when he did hit the pitch, producing the third-worst ERA of his career (4.45) in 39 appearances.

It remains to be seen if he can tack on with another MLB club but, if this is the end of the road, he goes down as one of Australia’s greatest baseball exports.

He’s No.1 among Down Under pitchers with a career 3.10 ERA across 499 games (third), tied for first in longevity (12 years in the majors) and third in wins (24) and saves (4).

Originally published as Aussies Abroad: Jonah Bolden finally gets a chance to shine as Nathan Walker gets cut