Ben Simmons withdrawal creates Olympic opportunity for Boomers’ future stars: Gaze

Ben Simmons pulling out of Australia’s Tokyo Olympic campaign is a blow, but the Boomers are blessed with rising and experienced talent.

Ben Simmons withdrawal creates an Olympic opportunity for the Boomers’ future stars, according to five-time Australian Olympian Andrew Gaze. Picture Dean Martin

Ben Simmons has withdrawn from Australia’s Tokyo Olympic campaign, but his absence will provide greater opportunity for the next generation of Boomers stars.

That’s the opinion of five-time Australian Olympian Andrew Gaze, who believes Simmons’ exit opens the door for youngsters like Josh Giddey and Sydney born and raised Dallas Mavericks rookie Josh Green.

Gaze is particularly high on Giddey – the 18-year-old Melbourne-born guard set to be a first-round draft pick in next month’s NBA draft.

“Josh is the closet you will get to (Ben) for like for like,” Gaze said about Giddey, the reigning NBL rookie of the year following a standout season with the Adelaide 36ers averaging 10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game.

“He has got similar type skillset and characteristics; all be it in a slightly different way.

“If you are talking about big point guards who can pass, Josh is perfect.

“He also shoots the ball better than Ben, so he can be more of a perimeter threat.

“He won’t have the same capacity on the defensive end, but Ben not being there could provide other opportunities for Josh.

“I haven’t seen enough of Josh Green, but maybe he also falls into that category as well given his skillset.”

Ben Simmons pulling out of Australia’s Tokyo Olympic campaign is a blow, but the Boomers are blessed with rising talent like Josh Giddey. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

Gaze recently worked out with Giddey in Melbourne to help him prepare for the NBA draft on July 29, where he is a projected No.13 pick.

He was impressed with the rising star’s application to hard work and improvement.

Giddey also worked extensively with legendary point guard and three-time NBL champion, Darryl McDonald.

“We did a pretty intense three-week period with Josh and to his credit he worked his tail off with an extremely heavy workload,” he said.

“It wasn’t just his shooting, but the whole package of his conditioning and agility.

“D Mac did all the other stuff, so Josh and I were primarily just getting shots up and working on small little things that can help him with his shot.”

Gaze would also like to Dante Exum take on a bigger role if he is selected in the Boomers’ final 12-man squad for Tokyo.

Exum hasn’t played since hurting his calf in early January, restricting him to just six games in the 2020-2021 NBA season, but he is a potent threat when fit.

“I don’t know what Dante’s health is like, but maybe he also comes into the equation a little bit more,” he said.

“He could be the X-factor. Dante hasn’t played in a long time because of unfortunate injuries, but he is another big guard.

“Hopefully, he can contribute and get his career back on track, because he would be a wonderful story for the Boomers and him personally.”

Simmons was set to play 30 to 35 minutes a game if he played for the Boomers – a significant chunk of time for one player.

It’s why Gaze stressed the importance for the Boomers to share the load of responsibility in Tokyo.

“For me now, it is about how Goorjian juggles his minutes within the system and spreading it around,” he said.

“Matthew Dellavedova with his role, he could play more minutes, and similar with Patty Mills.

“You can’t replace Ben because he is such a unique player who has such unique characteristics and skills that he brings to a team.

“That is what makes him so special.

“So, not having Ben changes your emphasis at both ends of the floor because he is such an impressive presence.”

Boomers guard Dante Exum training at Australia's pre-Olympic camp in Los Angeles. Picture: Matthew Adekponya, Basketball Australia.

Like Boomers players and coaching staff, Gaze also threw his support behind Simmons despite his difficult decision to withdraw from the Games.

“There are a whole bunch of variables that none of us are aware of, so I don’t think we should condemn Ben for a decision he has made,” he said.

“But it is very understandable that people will be very disappointed because we know what a high-quality player that he is and that he could have made a difference in our chances of winning a medal.”

Originally published as Ben Simmons withdrawal creates Olympic opportunity for Boomers’ future stars: Gaze