Logue Down basketball column: All the news, insights and whispers from another big week

Ben Simmons may be persona non grata in Philadelphia, but the sidelined star has an influential friend in our national team. The Logue Down

Dyson Daniels (R) is keen to team up with Ben Simmons in the Boomers.

Despite Ben Simmons trashing his own brand, Australian basketball’s next big thing Dyson Daniels still wants to play alongside Simmons for the Boomers.

Daniels, a projected top 15 pick in next year’s NBA draft, has urged Simmons to hang tough as he navigates his ugly trade standoff with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Melbourne-born guard continues to sit on the sideline as he deals with mental health issues on top of a looming trade via the 76ers.

Daniels, though, is concerned about Simmons’ welfare and hopes he can return to the court soon because he wants to one day represent Australia alongside the three-time NBA All-Star.

Watch Every Game of the 21/22 NBL Season Live & On-Demand with ESPN on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial >

Dyson Daniels (R) is keen to team up with Ben Simmons in the Boomers.

“I haven’t talked to Ben, but it is tough seeing him like this and not being able to play basketball and the situation he is in,” Daniels said.

“He is a great player and a great guy, so I’m sure they will work it out and he’ll be back on the court in no time.

“He is a No. 1 pick as an Australian and hopefully we can see him in a Boomers uniform soon as well, which would be good.

“I think everyone just wants to see Ben back on the floor. Whether it is in Philly or not, he is great player and deserves to be on an NBA roster.

“Hopefully, he is back out there on the court soon.”

CAMBAGE TEAMMATES SLAM STAR’S ‘LIGHT’ PUNISHMENT

Liz Cambage’s light punishment for her behaviour in a behind-closed-doors scrimmage against Nigeria prior to this year’s Tokyo Olympics hasn’t gone unnoticed by her fellow players.

Cambage only received a formal reprimand from an independent panel despite her involvement in a heated physical and verbal altercation with the Nigerians.

Just moments after Basketball Australia released its statement last Friday, a host of women’s players took to social media to express their dissatisfaction.

Two-time championship-winning Melbourne Boomers guard Maddie Garrick posted a video of the statement on Instagram saying: “C’mon, let’s actually get real, for once.”

Adelaide Lightning guard Marena Whittle also expressed her dissatisfaction about the light sentence.

“I believe the Nigerian women’s national team deserves more respect than to sweep this under the rug, and to not highlight the poor behaviour and conduct that took place during that practice match,” Whittle said.

“Reminder that Ben Simmons’ shitty attitude in a team practice has been blasted globally and damaged his reputation.”

It remains to be seen whether Cambage plays at next year’s World Cup in Sydney given the damage she has caused within the Opals ranks following her behaviour in Vegas.

A still from a video that Liz Cambage posted giving her support to the Nigerian Basketball team in Tokyo after a heated physical and verbal altercation.

Liz Cambage has come under attack over her light punishment for an ugly pre-Olympics incident.

Master teaches apprentice a lesson

Patty Mills showed Aussie rookie Josh Giddey why he is the master in the pair’s NBA matchup on Monday.

Mills produced a dominant performance, dropping 29 points off the bench in Brooklyn’s big win over Giddey’s Oklahoma City.

Giddey was also impressive in his own right, finishing with six points, five rebounds and four assists.

Mills, though, was the star of the show as he created history in the process.

He had a new career high of nine 3 point makes in a game (9 of 12) while he also tied the Australian record for 3-point makes in a game.

Patty Mills caught fire against Josh Giddy and the Thunder. Picture: Zach Beeker/NBAE/Getty

Bogut: Jock must beat away Pop’s mind games

If you listen to the critics, reigning NBL grand final MVP Jock Landale is wasting his time in the NBA.

Landale has received little playing time thus far in his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs under legendary coach Gregg Popovich.

The ex-Melbourne United big man has only played four games off the bench while he is buried at the end of the rotation behind Drew Eubanks and Jakob Poeltl as backup.

To complicate matters, Landale was recently placed into the league‘s health and safety protocols.

He is likely to be on the sidelines until at least November 22 when the Spurs host the Phoenix Suns.

It’s hardly an ideal situation, especially for a competitive guy like Jock.

Jock Landale has received little playing time in the NBA under legendary coach Gregg Popovich.

According to his biggest mentor, Boomers legend and NBA champion Andrew Bogut, Landale just needs to stay patient and ride out coach Popovich’s infamous mind games.

“That is just Pop’s MO,” Bogut said. “He will try and mess with guys mentally and I think it is all a game and a test for Pop.

“He will try and see how guys react when they think they should be getting minutes and he won’t give it to them.

“Patty (Mills) went through similar things with Pop early in his time at San Antonio, but the thing that I’ve told Jock is he is 10-15 games into his NBA career with a coach who is notorious for not playing young guys.

“So, he has just got to stay the course and the opportunity is going to arise.”

Landale showed his potential when he dropped 10 points in just five minutes off the bench during a loss to Indiana.

Outside of that showing, he has remained stranded on the sidelines even with star big Poeltl out injured.

Bogut, though, believes Landale can emulate Mills and pick up more game time.

Bogut says Landale must roll with Pop’s punches. Picture: Adam Yip

He remembers when the Aussie guard hardly played to start his NBA career in Portland before moving to San Antonio and eventually becoming a regular in the rotation.

“The problem for Jock is that he is in his mid-20s, and I know he is very competitive and wants to play,” he said.

“But I don’t think one season is going to be wasted like some people out there are already saying.

“Look, if we are talking about the same situation next season or the season after, then I think it is an issue where he needs to look elsewhere.

“But he is 10-15 games into his NBA career, so people are jumping the gun a little bit with some panic station stuff.

“I think the experience will be invaluable for him, as far as being apart of a decent organisation like the Spurs and having to deal with these speed bumps are going to make him a better player and person.”

Dante Exum remains without a home after a deal with South East Melbourne Phoenix fell through.

Exum not NBL bound

The South East Melbourne Phoenix won’t be signing Boomers star Dante Exum despite expressing interest in the veteran guard.

Exum’s career remains in limbo after he was waived by the Houston Rockets despite producing a bronze medal winning Olympic campaign for Australia.

The Phoenix had reached out to the guard’s management, and were keen to lure him home if he wanted, but it appears he’ll be remaining in America in search of a deserving NBA deal.

I’m told South East Melbourne will announce their import signing later this week- but don’t be disappointed Phoenix fans – I’m hearing the signing is an accomplished international performer who will perfectly complement the team’s roster.

Longley’s distance education

Boomers legend and Sydney Kings special advisor Luc Longley is trapped in Western Australia due to the state’s strict border restrictions and can’t attend Kings training in person, but he is still having a big impact from afar.

“It is challenging that Luc can’t get here and he doesn’t have the freedom to come in and out of training, but he is very much involved,” Kings CEO Chris Pongrass tells me.

“He regularly talks to the all the players independently. It’s zoom, it’s phone calls. It’s everything.

“Off-season is obviously a lot busier for Luc and I when we are talking about player recruitment, and he was heavily involved in the Chase Burford recruitment as coach.”

Matthew Dellavedova looked impressive in his first run with United. Picture: United media

Like

It was brilliant to finally see Matthew Dellavedova running around in the NBL following his championship-winning NBA career.

Dellavedova looked slick in his United debut against the New Zealand Breakers on Saturday night. The veteran guard was at his dogged best in defence while he added eight points and created scoring opportunities for his teammates with pinpoint passing.

Welcome, Delly.

Dislike

The light punishment handed down to Opals star Liz Cambage for her behaviour during a pre-Olympic scrimmage against Nigeria. Andrew Bogut summed it up best when he said the minimal sentence sets a bad precedent for any misbehaving players in the future.

Shoosh

Which NBL team owner had to be moved on by a league official at the pre-season Blitz after giving an opposition player a spray from the sideline for fouling. Let’s just say the rival player wasn’t happy.