Basketball 2022: Perth Wildcats trio to lead Boomers in World Cup qualifiers
The Boomers have been forced to dig very deep ahead of next months’ World Cup qualifiers. Here’s who is set to make the team.
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The Boomers look set to form a Perth Wildcats reunion in a bid to perform strongly in February’s World Cup qualifiers without any NBL stars.
News Corp can reveal that Basketball Australia is set to announce the Boomers squad for three Cup qualifiers against Chinese Taipei and Japan in Japan on February 25, 26 and 28.
Former Wildcats now playing in Japan in Nick Kay, Angus Brandt and Rhys Vague are expected to form the team’s senior core alongside NBL Development players and rising talent from Canberra’s Centre of Excellence.
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Basketball Australia wanted to selected shooting guard Dyson Daniels, but the 18-year-old emerging star opted to remain in the G League with the Ignite to prepare for this year’s NBA draft.
Former Boomer and NBA forward Thon Maker was also in contention for selection before he signed with G League club, the Long Island Nets.
It leaves Australia with a predominantly inexperienced side for its three World Cup qualifiers in Japan.
The Boomers will particularly face a tough challenge against a strong Japanese side that is stopping its domestic competition for the qualifiers.
Japan is also undertaking a 15-day training camp prior to the qualifiers, whereas the Australians will have two and half days to prepare for three games.
However, interim Boomers coach Rob Beveridge is confident the team will be successful in Japan.
Beveridge, who has extensive experience on the NBL and international stage, will focus on instilling the side with the program’s famed passion and team-first mentality.
NBL’S SHREWD PLAN TO SHAKE-UP THE PLAYOFFS
The NBL is looking to introduce an NBA-style play-in tournament for the playoffs in a bid to shake up the finals structure.
The prospect of emulating the NBA’s play-in, which sees teams seventh to 10th battle out for playoff spots, was on the agenda at an all-club meeting before the season started.
Despite the concept receiving significant support, it was deemed unsuitable for this season during these uncertain Covid times.
However, it remains something the league is keen revisit, as early as next season.
Brisbane Bullets guard Jason Cadee is one player who would like to see the NBL’s current four-team finals system expanded.
“Bringing Tassie in has been great for the league, so next season I’d like to see the playoffs go to six teams,” Cadee said.
“I think six teams making the playoffs with how the league is so close, it will add more finals games and more entertainment.
“I don’t think anyone would appose to seeing six teams make the playoffs now that we are at 10 teams.
“It would add a different element to finals basketball. As a team that has missed out on the finals for the past two seasons, I feel like had we got in we could have given the competition a little shake.
“Six teams would make the finals very interesting.”
Cadee believes more teams in the finals will increase the league’s entertainment value, especially if a team goes on a winning streak to qualify.
He feels like this season is a perfect example, with a gifted team like the New Zealand Breakers capable of beating anyone if they have momentum.
“If you look across the league this season, New Zealand has the worst record, and they are a great team,” he said.
“The Breakers are so talented, but they are stuck on the road and battling through different things.
“I just think whatever sixth team makes the playoffs; they are going to be really good, and they may have won a heap of games to make it and will be on a roll.
“It was just adds a bit more spice to the season for the players and the fans.”
Kobe connection in Landale’s corner
Jock Landale is so competitive that he blows up when he loses a causal game of cards or chess.
This determined desire to win has made it difficult for Landale to deal with a challenging maiden NBA season with the San Antonio Spurs due to Covid, concussion and a stint in the G League.
Landale concedes it has been a “mental grind” to stay focused when he spent more time on the sidelines than the court to start the season.
Thankfully, the Aussie big man has plenty of backers, including childhood idol and mentor, Andrew Bogut, with up to five text messages a week.
Couple that with expert tips from Bogut’s podcast co-host — Mike Procopio — a former video scout for Kobe Bryant.
“Both Bogues and Mike have been massive in reaching out after every single game -that is just a guarantee,” Landale said.
“It is pointers, it is what I’ve done well — advice that you don’t necessarily get from your coaching staff, because they are on to the next scout and game.
“They are worrying about so many players, so having those guys as an ear and outside voice to help break things down has been huge.
“That is what I need as a human being. I need to analyse things in-depth and continue to feel like I’m growing as a player and person.
“Sometimes you can’t just rely on the coaching staff, because we’ve got 82 games coming at us like bat out of hell, so there are some bigger things at play.”
Baynes on the road to recovery
It was brilliant to see a happy Boomers big man Aron Baynes post pictures with his family and his Olympic bronze medal on social media this week.
Baynes has endured a difficult few months after suffering a neck injury during Australia’s Tokyo Olympic campaign.
The long road back. Grateful for it all 🥉💪🻠pic.twitter.com/ZbNquULKT3
— Aron Baynes (@aronbaynes) January 21, 2022
The NBA champion hasn’t played since Australia’s group stage win over Italy, but his manager has previously indicated he is keen to return to the court.
Baynes, 35, has had an illustrious NBA and international career, and deserves to go out on his terms, whether it be in America or right here in the NBL.
A club like the Brisbane Bullets would be the perfect destination for the big man to finish his career in his home state should he opt to do so.
Delly’s NBA chances
If Matthew Dellavedova returns to the NBA on a short-term stint like Andrew Bogut did with Golden State in 2019, it will be alongside LeBron James.
That’s the view of Boomers legend Chris Anstey, who says Dellavedova would be a perfect piece for LeBron at the Lakers given the pair’s connection after winning a championship at Cleveland together in 2016.
“For me, if Delly is to go back to the NBA, I genuinely think the only team he would go to is the Lakers because LeBron loves him,” Anstey said.
“They may very well need a great locker room guy to advance the ball and play five or six minutes a game and they know what they’ll get offensively.
“Unfortunately, I can’t see Delly going to a team that hasn’t had him before or to play with players who he hasn’t played with.”
Anstey was highly impressed with Dellavedova’s career-high performance against Illawarra last round.
The Boomers veteran dropped 33 points in a big Melbourne United win, including seven of eleven from range.
Dellavedova had previously copped criticism for his low shooting percentage, but Anstey says people need to realise the transition ‘Delly’ has had to undertake since leaving the NBA.
“Delly’s job in the NBA was to move the ball offensively primarily to LeBron James’ hands,” he said.
“It would take a while to unlearn those habits and being that unselfish. I was one who had doubts whether he could make that transition and show the aggressiveness on the offensive end.
“But against the Hawks, he caught the ball behind the three-point line, and he looked like he wanted to be a scorer.
“He was getting his feet set and getting into his three-point shot early in the game – He hasn’t done that for over a decade.”
Bairstow’s brotherly love
Adelaide 36ers big man Cam Bairstow received some brotherly love from his younger sibling, Sean, this week.
Sean is currently playing US College basketball for Utah State University.
He recently had a game against Cam’s former team, New Mexico, so he couldn’t help but pose for a picture alongside his brother’s tribute in the University’s Hall of Fame.
Bairstow senior enjoyed a successful stint with New Mexico, including the Mountain West Tournament MVP.
It has been great to see the former Boomer rediscover his finest form for the 36ers, dropping 19 and 18 points in his past two games.
Bairstow has had his fair share of injuries in recent years, so he deserves some luck.
LIKE
Melbourne Tigers legend Lanard Copeland hit the nail on the head this week when he declared there should be more Australian coaches in the NBL.
At present, five of the league’s 10 coaches originate from overseas.
Copeland respects the league’s international coaches, but he also doesn’t want to see local coaches with proven records go to waste on the sidelines.
“My problem is, don’t we have coaches who we can choose from here in Australia?,” Copeland said on ESPN’s The Jump.
“The main objective is to win a championship and it has been over 30 years since an international coach has come over here and won a championship in Murray Arnold with Perth in 1991.
“They (international coaches) don’t know the players or the league. Yeah, you can watch the league on the television or the internet, but you don’t know the ins and outs of the players.
“This league is all about players, coaches and relationships and I just think there are coaches here in Australia who could do a better job.
“You’ve got guys like Rob Beveridge, Phil Smyth, Luke Kendall — guys who have been here and know the players — why not give those guys a chance.”
DISLIKE
The Sydney Kings’ fourth quarter performances must improve.
In the Kings’ last four games prior to Sunday’s big win over Brisbane, they have conceded a whopping 99 points in the fourth while only scoring 53 themselves.
Sydney tried to make amends, blowing the Bullets off the court on Sunday to open up a 20-plus lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The players vowed to win the final quarter to end their recent fourth quarter troubles, but they fell short despite recording a dominant 97-73 win.
If Sydney want to push for the playoffs this season, they need to play for the full match, especially against the likes of Illawarra, Perth and Melbourne United.
SHOOSH
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