Brian Goorjian backs Ben Simmons Paris Olympic challenge amid Andrew Bogut’s concern

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian is confident he can integrate Ben Simmons into the Boomers squad for the Paris Olympics – a host of former Aussie greats are not so sure.

“Project Ben Simmons” is in full swing for Boomers coach Brian Goorjian, who is promising to defy the doubters and not only secure the polarising three-time NBA All-Star for next year’s Paris Olympics, but make the move succeed.

Goorjian’s declaration comes as Boomers great Andrew Bogut has questioned whether an Australian team featuring dominant ball handlers in Simmons and Josh Giddey can work.

“Giddey and Simmons – it doesn’t fit, that’s a hard fit,” Bogut said on his Rouge Bogues podcast.

“Who is the point guard and who is not and I think Ben will have to play a four/five spot on the Boomers to make this all work.

“Now, does he (Ben) accept that role. I don’t know.”

Goorjian has heard Bogut’s take, and agrees with where he is coming from, but he believes Simmons and Giddey can coexist.

He knows it will take work – and buy-in from players. However, the upside of having Simmons and Giddey on the same court outweighs any negatives.

Ben Simmons is keen to play for the Boomers at next year’s Paris Olympics. Picture: Dustin Satloff/Getty Images via AFP

“Simmons and Giddey – that combination – I welcome the challenge,” said Goorjian, who is heading to America in December to watch and meet with Australia’s NBA contingent.

“As Bogut said, I’m not underestimating the challenge and that was part of our downfall at the last World Cup.

“So, maybe those two (Simmons and Giddey) there is going to have to be adjustments and someone is going to have to play off the ball a little bit.

“They’ve both got such good size.

“But it’s not as simple as Ben putting his hand up – away we go – there is a lot of work to do to get the guys comfortable and playing together.”

It’s most likely Simmons plays a power forward role for the Boomers, which would allow Giddey to play the point as the primary ball handler.

Josh Giddey looks to pass during the match between Australia Boomers and Venezuela at Rod Laver Arena in August. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

Goorjian says we could also see the gifted pair interchange between the guard role throughout games with their elite passing and vision.

Bogut, though, also has concerns around Simmons and Giddey’s inconsistent shooting, and the impact it could have on the Boomers.

“If you’ve got Giddey and Simmons in your starting roster, Giddey is getting better with his three point shot but it’s still not where it needs to be consistently,” he reasoned.

“Ben isn’t going to shoot threes, so you’ve got two guys in FIBA ball that you can really muck the paint on and they can pick on that.

“Everyone is getting hyped up about Ben wanting to play, great, we need to him to put his hand up, but do you have enough shooting to facilitate those two guys being in the line-up at the same time?”

Bogut’s point is valid and it was proved during Australia’s recent World Cup campaign in Japan.

The Boomers lacked knockdown shooting, with veteran Joe Ingles struggling and sharpshooter Chris Goulding mostly sitting on the bench.

It will be fascinating to see if Goorjian opts for more shooting heading into Paris.

For now, the Boomers mentor is locked in on securing Simmons.

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian is determined to see Ben Simmons play for Australia at next year’s Paris Olympics. Picture: Brendan Radke

Goorjian knows the USA will load up, with the likes of Steph Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant having already committed for Paris.

France will add seven-foot genetic beast and No. 1 NBA draft pick Victor Wembanyama while Serbia plans to play reigning Denver Nuggets champion Nikola Jokic.

“So, we’ve got to have that Aussie spirit and then all our best players have got to put their hands up,” Goorjian said.

“And the Simmons piece makes us look much scarier.”

Goorjian also believes Simmons playing at the 2024 Paris Olympics is vital for the Boomers brand.

He is determined to see Australian basketball continue to rise following on from the historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

“You’ve got all these other football codes and you’re in a constant battle, but Ben legitimately gives us an edge because at his best, he is an NBA All-Star,” he said.

“I also look at my role in this – and introducing Simmons back to the Boomers and making it a warm thing that he is excited about and a part of.

“It’s a huge drawcard for us in what we are trying to do for basketball.

“What is Simmons doing? It brings attention and interest into our sport.

“It brings a genuine excitement to the Boomers.

“We’ve had that success, we’ve got a following and we’re trying to keep it.”

Go left, finish right @BenSimmons25pic.twitter.com/OeHVnW2upU

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 2, 2023

Another major positive for Simmons is the fact he is physically fit following a back injury that restricted him to just 42 games for Brooklyn last season.

The Melbourne-born star is already averaging more points (7.3 points), rebounds (10.3) and assists (7.5) in four games than he did in the entire 2022-23 season.

Simmons back firing on all cylinders – at both ends of the floor – is a welcome sight for Goorjian ahead of next year’s Paris Games.

“It’s really exciting,” he said.

“I’ve always thought that there is something special there. I feel like (Ben) is a good piece for the team and a good piece for me.

“I also feel like the timing – it’s a good marriage right now.”

Goorjian understands how some Australian hoops fans have lost faith in Simmons donning the green and gold given he has opted out on multiple occasions.

The master mentor gets the frustration, but insists the Brooklyn Nets star has always had a legitimate reason to put himself or his NBA career first.

“I honestly think the mindset has never been – I don’t really want to play now, I’m too busy,” Goorjian said.

“I think inside, Ben feels like all eyes are going to be on him and he has had issues with mental health and then physically he hasn’t been fit.

“You know within yourself that you’re not ready, but now everyone can turn on the TV and see him do something that he hasn’t done for the last two years – watch him play.

“And you can tell, the guy is 27 years-old and the more he plays, the more comfortable he is going to be and he is moving into his prime.

“Ben knows how everyone back here is feeling (about wanting him to play) and Australia is important to him.

“I think if this continues, and he continues to play well, he is going to put his hand up and roll into this thing.”

Australian Boomers assistant coach Adam Caporn is also working as an assistant at the Brooklyn Nets alongside Ben Simmons. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross.

The ace up Australia’s sleeve in landing Simmons for the Paris Olympics is Boomers assistant coach Adam Caporn, who is working at the Nets as an assistant.

Goorjian rates Caporn highly and has no doubts in his ability to influence Ben in a positive manner.

“Adam has been tremendous in a lot of aspects for the Boomers,” he said.

“His skill development, his x’s and o’s is elite and he has got very good at relationship building.

“Adam developing a comfort and a rapport and helping Ben through his transition back into playing and feeling comfortable.

“Then for Ben to come to the Boomers and have a face there that he is familiar and comfortable with is really helpful in this process.”

There is a long road ahead on the path to Paris, as Goorjian works through his blueprint for success in the French capital.

One thing’s for certain, the veteran coach is confident Simmons will be a part of his plan.

“We are going through change and now you are dropping Simmons into this and now it changes again,” he said.

“But it (Simmons) is something that you want and it’s incredibly important for the future of the Boomers.”

Originally published as Brian Goorjian backs Ben Simmons Paris Olympic challenge amid Andrew Bogut’s concern