This was published 1 year ago
Daniels v Delly: Battle is on for a spot in the best Boomers side ever
By Roy Ward
Australian NBA guard Dyson Daniels expects a fight on his hands to make the Boomers’ side for the FIBA World Cup, with veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova one of his main rivals for a spot.
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian says this team could be the most talented group to wear Australian colours and the guard positions are the strongest point of the team, with every chance that an NBA calibre guard such as Daniels or three-time Olympian Dellavedova could end up missing out on the 12-man roster.
Dyson Daniels (left) with Boomers coach Brian Goorjian.Credit: Getty Images
Patty Mills, Josh Giddey, Josh Green, Dante Exum, Matisse Thybulle, Joe Ingles and Chris Goulding will also be pushing for guard or wing positions. Ben Simmons remains a chance to be added to the selection camp if he can recover from the back injury which ended his NBA season.
Dellavedova told this masthead last week that he was already training in preparation to fight for his place in the side, and Daniels said on Friday he would do all he can to make the team.
“You don’t expect anyone to take a backward step because everyone is competing for a spot,” Daniels said.
“These guys have been in the team for a while now, and they’ve been the ones who have carried this legacy.
“They are coming off a rose gold [bronze] medal at the Olympics, and it is going to be tough to take their positions, but I’m going to be out there, doing my best and pushing them.
“I will play my game and show that I deserve to make this team.”
Basketball Australia and the Victorian government announced on Friday that the Boomers would host a tournament against Brazil, Venezuela and South Sudan, who will feature several Australian-raised players, at Rod Laver Arena on August 14-17.
Goorjian wants capacity crowds on all three nights considering the Boomers could feature NBA starsand locals such as Giddey and Daniels.
“I don’t think we have had a team of this quality play at home for a long, long time,” Goorjian said.
“This may be the best players ever assembled by Australia, it’s a really exciting time for basketball.”
Simmons wasn’t named in the initial squad due to his back injury but Goorjian remains hopeful he will progress enough to join the team for camp.
“Nothing has changed all the way through, he didn’t play at the finish of the season, and he wants to be back [with the Boomers],” Goorjian said.
“It would be great for him, great for us, but it is all about his health, and he is working right now to get healthy for the camp.”
Goorjian has already made some tough decisions in boiling his squad down to 18 players. That group is set to reduce to 15 for the games in Melbourne before the final 12 is selected, and the team leaves for Okinawa, Japan where they will play their group games at the World Cup.
“Quality games are important but even bigger is this team getting to play on home soil,” Goorjian said.
“We are expecting full houses and for this place to really hum. We want to put on a show, and we’re all about growing the game and the Boomers are a key to that.”
Boomers v the World tournament at Rod Laver Arena
Monday, August 14
Brazil v South Sudan, 5.30pm
Australia v Venezuela, 7.45pm
Wednesday, August 16
Venezuela v South Sudan, 5.30pm
Australia v Brazil, 7.45pm
Thursday, August 17
Venezuela v Brazil, 5.30pm
Australia v South Sudan,7.45pm
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