Boomers coach Brian Goorjian reveals his Olympic promise to veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova | Logue Down
Despite missing out on World Cup selection, Boomers coach Brian Goorjian insists Matthew Dellavedova’s international career isn’t over, vowing to give the three-time Olympian one last shot at selection.
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Australian Boomers coach Brian Goorjian says Matthew Dellavedova’s stellar international career isn’t over, revealing his promise to give the three-time Olympian one last shot at selection.
In an extensive interview with the Logue Down, Goorjian detailed his discussion with Dellavedova after describing his cut from this year’s World Cup squad as the “toughest in my career”.
The veteran mentor told the former NBA champion he will be in contention for Boomers selection at the 2024 Paris Games if he can maintain his form.
It comes as Dellavedova declared on this week’s Basketball Show that he is determined to make next year’s Olympic team.
And based on his form for United prior to suffering a concussion, Goorjian has the man nicknamed ‘Delly’ right in the mix to be chosen for his fourth Games.
“Delly and I sat down after I cut him for the Cup and his message to me was loud and clear: Do I get another look?,” Goorjian said about the bronze medal-winning Dellavedova, who returns from his four-game concussion lay-off against Perth on Monday.
“And I said, ‘yes’, I’m going to keep my eye on you and what Delly was doing before the (concussion), you’d definitely bring him back into camp.
“Delly until he got hurt was incredible.
“We took a slap at the World Cup, there were some key ingredients missing and I’ve got to go through each guy and assess moving forward.
“While I’m doing that, and nothing is set in stone, I’m keeping my eyes open.”
Goorjian admits the Boomers’ famed defence, which helped Australia claim its historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, regressed at this year’s World Cup.
It’s why he is seriously considering Dellavedova for the 2024 Paris Olympics based largely his dogged defence.
“Delly is a piece that is unique with his defence and his role that he has played for such a long time with the Boomers and the respect he has,” he said.
“The defensive side (at the World Cup) was alarming.
“We took a step forward at the Tokyo Olympics, but we took a huge step backwards at the World Cup and that is Delly’s forte, his toughness and all of that.
“There is a respect here from me and we’ve got an agreement that he’ll get another look.”
The reason Dellavedova, 33, missed out on the World Cup squad was because of rising NBA guard Dyson Daniels.
Goorjian wanted to blood Daniels into the Boomers program with one eye firmly placed on the future.
“So, when I let Delly go, it had literally zero to do with him,” he said.
“He was everything he needed to be and what every coach would want.
“The decision was selecting Dyson for the Cup, otherwise he had no shot at the Olympics.”
The guard position for the Boomers is loaded with Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Dante Exum, Dyson Daniels, Chris Goulding and Dellavedova all in the mix.
GOULDING IN THE PARIS MIX AFTER HOT START
Melbourne United sharpshooter Chris Goulding has emerged as a genuine Paris Olympic option for the Boomers following his hot start to NBL24.
Goulding has dropped a whopping 34 threes in the first five rounds.
In the 40 minute era, no one has hit more threes across the opening five rounds of a season.
Only the great Andrew Gaze has hit more threes in the first five rounds.
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian says Goulding will be considered for Paris.
“Oh yeah, the Olympics aren’t off the radar for Chris,” Goorjian said.
“We had a coffee and caught up as a follow to the World Cup. I told him this NBL season is really important.
“As an older guy you could think there is not much chance – and a lot of the time – you prepare yourself accordingly.
“But I wanted to tell him that there is still a life here for you to be an important piece in this.
“So, this NBL season in terms of how you play and the condition you get yourself in is really important because all eyes are on you and we really don’t want to move away from you.
“And from that conversation, Chris is delivering. I went to the Melbourne versus Hawks game last weekend and he was incredible.”
Speaking ahead of the NBL’s Indigenous Round, the United star, for his part, was taking a philosophical stance on his chances of making it to Paris.
“As I get older, I understand that I’ve been very lucky to represent my country so many times and be a part of a proud history of the Boomers and, if I’m able to do it again, amazing,” Goulding said.
“If not, I’ve had a pretty good run but, like always, if I’m healthy and ready to roll, if they want me I’d be more than willing.”
ROCCO NEXT BOOMERS BIG IN LINE, BUT CLASSY KING EMERGES
Brisbane’s seven-foot three Next Star teen Rocco Zikarsky has been anointed as the next Boomers big man behind Jock Landale and Duop Reath - and a player capable of having a Josh Giddey-like influence on his position at centre.
Australian coach Brian Goorjian confirmed Zikarsky, who has shown class in his eight games off the bench for the Bullets, is a key player for the Australian program moving forward.
“The one who is big for the Boomers down the road is Rocco,” Goorjian said.
“He is 7’3, he mobile and he is 17 years old. That is going to be elite, like maybe in Josh Giddey’s position he is going to be that in his position.
“The Boomers went through a position where they were all bigs, like Longley, Bradtke and Vlahov.
“Now we are very much deep in the perimeter position, but in the bigs you have one name and then you’re struggling.”
Goorjian has also been impressed with Sydney Kings big man Jordan Hunter, who has excelled to start NBL24.
Hunter is averaging 11.4 points on 65 per cent shooting from the field and 5.9 rebounds.
“Jordan is a guy that is getting healthy, you can tell the coach believes in him and he is a major piece for the Kings,” he said.
“Luc Longley is there, Andrew Bogut is there, so he is getting good tutelage while he has a maturity, understanding and confidence about him.
“I was in the NBL two years ago – and Jordan is now a different player and he has gone to another level.”
WHO’S IN THE HOT SEAT?
Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats)
Cotton must find his shooting groove to save Perth’s season. The legendary great is shooting at a career-low 29 per cent from the field. Prior to this season, he has never shot below 40 per cent during his prior seven NBL seasons.
Denzel Valentine (Sydney Kings)
Valentine comes to Sydney with 260 NBA games under his belt, but he needs to find another gear to help the Kings out of a mini hole.
The former Chicago Bull is shooting 41 per cent from the field while Kings fans are questioning his shot selection and turnovers.
Milton Doyle (Tasmania JackJumpers)
Doyle has been magnificent to start the season as a MVP favourite, but he must respond after quiet scoring performance in a loss to Brisbane.
He only had seven points in 33 minutes – and the JackJumpers need more from their main man to atone a two-game losing slump.
SARR NBA DRAFT STOCK COPS A HIT?
Could Perth’s struggles impact Alex Sarr’s aspirations to become a top-five pick in next year’s NBA draft?
There is no questioning Sarr is destined to reach the world’s best league, but the 2-5 Wildcats are battling and it’s hurting the big man’s productivity.
The seven-foot Frenchman’s stats have dropped in the past three games in losses to Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney.
After going three straight games in double figures, Sarr has slowed down on the offensive end.
He has scored in single figures in the past three games while his rebound count and minutes played has also decreased.
Sarr produced his worst performance of the season in last Friday’s loss to Brisbane, dropping just five points and adding two rebounds in his 18 minutes on the floor.
The teen sensation has time to regain his finest form – starting with a home blockbuster against the Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena on Saturday night.
HUTCHY OPEN TO NBL VS NBA TWEAK
Perth Wildcats owner Craig Hutchison is a big fan of the NBL’s pre-season series against NBA teams, but agrees the concept needs a tweak.
The series copped a hit this year, with Cairns and New Zealand losing its four games by a combined 164 points.
Hutchison’s Wildcats didn’t partake in this year’s pre-season series, but the men in red played two games against the G League Ignite in Las Vegas.
Perth split the two matches with Ignite – winning their second clash 127-112 – as Bryce Cotton dropped 40 points while Next Star Alex Sarr had 26.
Hutchison enjoyed the series against the G League Ignite, which was played in early September compared to October like the recent NBL vs NBA games.
“Any way we can be growing the code and the teams into the US is a good thing, but there is obviously a scheduling thing that is an issue for both parties,” Hutchison said.
“We are certainly keen to be involved.
“History will say that pre-season, even in September is better than October, but I understand the current NBL fixture.
“What I will say is that our experience of playing and against the G League side in Las Vegas was a great experience.
“That was the best of the pre-seasons that we’ve been during my time at the club and we’d be very keen to put our hands up to do something similar again.”
NBL ROUND 6: (All games live on ESPN and Kayo)
Thursday, November 2:
Brisbane Bullets vs South East Melbourne Phoenix at Nissan Arena from 7.30pm (AEDT)
Friday, November 3:
New Zealand Breakers vs Cairns Taipans at Wolfbrook Arena from 5.30pm (AEDT)
Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings at WIN Entertainment Centre from 7.30pm (AEDT)
Saturday, November 4:
Tasmania JackJumpers vs Brisbane Bullets at Silverdome from 5.30pm (AEDT)
Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena from 8pm (AEDT)
Sunday, November 5:
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Cairns Taipans at John Cain Arena from 2pm (AEDT)
Sydney Kings vs New Zealand Breakers at Qudos Bank Arena from 4pm (AEDT)
Originally published as Boomers coach Brian Goorjian reveals his Olympic promise to veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova | Logue Down
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