Logue Down: Plans to bring Boomers home to celebrate Olympic bronze medal
Ben Simmons made headlines during his 2019 return to Australia. Josh Giddey won’t make the same mistake when he comes home this year, Matt Logue writes.
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It’s fair to say that Aussie NBA rookie sensation Josh Giddey won’t make the same mistake Ben Simmons did when he returns home next month to conduct a series of coaching clinics and meet-and-greets with aspiring ballers.
Simmons caused a stir back in 2019 when he snuck out a side door to avoid fans waiting outside his basketball camp for a signature.
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You can guarantee a classy Giddey will be on his best behaviour, with the Oklahoma City Thunder star to hold functions and clinics in Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide.
The reigning NBL Rookie of the Year, who has been ruled out for the last nine NBA games due to a hip injury, will be in the Harbour City on April 22 and has two sessions locked at Perry Park Recreation Centre in Alexandria.
The first session for ages 8-12 is from 1pm-330pm and the second session for ages 13-17 is from 330pm until 6pm.
Giddey will also be making an instore appearance at the Throwback Store in Darlinghurst.
Potential sticking point in Boomers’ homecoming
The Boomers’ biggest names are poised to head home this June to celebrate Australia’s historic Tokyo Olympic bronze medal.
Basketball Australia is deep in planning to honour our Australian men’s team with a host of festivities following their brilliant performance at last year’s Games.
I’m told the likes of Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, Jock Landale, Josh Green, and Matisse Thybulle look set to travel Down Under for the celebrations to coincide with Australia’s third FIBA World Cup qualifying window in June.
However, the likes of Mills and Thybulle making the NBA Finals, which start on June 2, would be a stumbling block.
Basketball Australia is hoping to name a stronger side than the February window when the NBA and NBL players were unavailable whist still adding a host of talented rookies, including rising Sydney-born guard Tyrese Proctor.
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian recently told me about the importance of having a core group of youngsters coming through the Australian ranks.
Goorjian remembers the Aussies didn’t plan for the retirements of senior statesmen Andrew Gaze, Luc Longley, and Andrew Vlahov after the Sydney 2000 Games, but he insists it won’t happen again in Paris 2024 led by a cast of youngsters like Josh Giddey, Josh Green and Dyson Daniels.
“I have longevity and I’ve seen the mistakes of the past,” Goorjian said.
“That was a tremendous team that played at the Sydney, but the hand over to the next group was terrible.
“When I came into the Boomers after Phil Smyth, there was no Boomer culture, and you were starting from rock bottom.
“It took 12 years to get to where we are today.”
Goorjian points out that current Boomers veterans Mills and Ingles didn’t experience the “touch” of Andrew Gaze, Luc Longley, or Mark Bradtke coming through as rookie in the Australian system.
“Whereas Green, Giddey and Thybulle, all those names have been touched by Mills, Ingles, Delly, and Baynes,” he said.
“And I’ve been there to see it visually and the power of that and its importance.
“Man, it’s exciting the names coming through. When those senior guys leave, this (Boomers) program should just keep moving forward.”
NBL GRADUATES DOING AUSTRALIA PROUD IN US
We’ve seen brilliant performances from former NBL players in the NBA this season, but who has been the best?
It’s a discussion that prompted Matt Logue to rank based on form, stats, and opinion.
In the end, he decided to go with reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and Hornets star LaMelo Ball as this season’s top performing former NBL player in the world’s best league.
1: LaMelo Ball (Charlotte) – 19.8pts, 6.8rbs and 7.3 assists
Surged to All-Star status this season as a key figure in a Charlotte Hornets team that will qualify for the play-in tournament, and could cause an upset.
2: Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City) – 12.5pts, 7.8rbs and 6.4 assists
Four straight Western Conference Rookie of the Year awards, calmness, vision, and a toughness beyond his 19-years. Says it all really.
3: Patty Mills (Brooklyn) – 12.1pts, 2.0rbs and 2.3 assists
Mills’ role at Brooklyn as evolved as the Nets bring in more talent, including fellow sharpshooter Seth Curry, but the Boomers veteran has enjoyed a career-best season as he continues to rise up the Nets’ three-point scoring ranks. His ability to make the correct decision will be invaluable for Brooklyn in the playoffs.
4: Jae’Sean Tate (Houston) – 12pts, 5.5rbs and 3.0 assists
The former Sydney King is the ultimate success story of never giving up on your dreams.
Tate has taken the long road to the NBA via Belgium and Australia, but he has proved he belongs in the world’s best league.
His energy is infectious.
5: Torrey Craig (Phoenix) – 6.6pts, 4.2rbs and 1.2 assists
Craig’s impact is undervalued, in terms of his importance on every team he plays for.
The former Bullet and Taipan is a rock-solid role player who defends like a demon yet can still make plays offensively.
Craig is playing a vital role off the bench for a Phoenix side who will finish first in the Western Conference and compete for a championship.
6: Joe Ingles (Portland) – 7.2pts, 2.9rbs and 3.5 assists
It has been a rough few months for Ingles after he suffered a season-ending knee injury and was traded to Portland, but he performed at a decent level when he played for Utah.
7: Jock Landale (San Antonio) – 4.9pts, 2.3rbs and 0.9 assists
Landale has received limited minutes in Gregg Popovich’s rotation at the Spurs, but he performs when he gets the chance.
This was on show on Sunday when he scored 10 points and added seven rebounds in 19 minutes on the floor in a win over the Pelicans.
8: Keifer Sykes (Indiana) – 5.4pts, 1.6rbs and 2.0 assists
Like Jae’Sean Tate, Sykes is a fantastic story of resilience and determination to achieve your NBA dream.
The former Phoenix guard has proven he belongs in the best league.
9: R.J Hampton (Orlando) – 7.3pts, 2.9rbs and 2.4 assists
Hampton has shown glimpses of his best in a struggling Magic side.
10: Didi Louzada (Portland) – 0pts, 1.0rbs and 0.5 assists
Has received limited chances while he was also suspended for 25 games without pay for violating the NBA/NBPA‘s anti-drug program after testing positive for drostanolone and testosterone.
Travers and Maker catch draft guru’s eye
Respected ESPN draft analyst Mike Schmitz was treated to a basketball show in Perth on Saturday night as the Sydney Kings dominated the Perth Wildcats.
Schmitz made the trip west to watch Wildcats NBA draft prospect Luke Travers play, and he didn’t disappoint, dropping 20 points and adding eight rebounds.
Travers was ranked late in the second round in the most recent NBA mock drafts.
15 PTS, 10 REBS and 2 BLK in 22 MIN for Sydney big man Makur Maker. Knocked down a pair of pick-and-pop 3s, made a few nice reads out of pops/short rolls. Defense/conditioning still needs a lot of work but good to see him starting to evolve into a productive offensive player. pic.twitter.com/LfFuhTF0R3
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) March 26, 2022
Kings Next Star Makur Maker was also outstanding.
Maker finished with an impressive double-double, contributing 15 points and rebounds as he also put his hand up for selection in June’s NBA draft.
Adams the MVP?
Sydney Kings gun guard Jaylen Adams has emerged as the frontrunner to win the NBL MVP award.
As brilliant as Cotton is offensively, Adams has him covered defensively and with his ability to make plays for his teammates.
The Kings star may be ruthless on the court, but he humbly deflected MVP questions after Sydney smashed the Wildcats on Saturday night.
“If I’m in the race, I’m in the race,” Adams said.
“I’m just here to play good basketball.”
Adams was more talkative when asked about Sydney’s scintillating nine-game winning streak and where they sit in the championship pecking order.
“We are the real deal, bro,” he said.
“That (Perth win) was our most impressive win of the season.
“I think we are going to make a deep push in the playoffs.”
LIKE: Hat’s off to the Tasmania JackJumpers for a remarkable performance to beat the Wildcats in Perth last Thursday night.
The JackJumpers got blown out at home against Illawarra last round, but they responded in style with a historic first win in the west and backed it up again with a win over the Bullets on Saturday.
Coach Scott Roth has done a magnificent job with Tasmania in the franchise’s first NBL season, prompting many judges to declare him the coach of the year.
Adams and Steindl making their contribution to the highlight reel
— Tasmania JackJumpers 🜠(@JackJumpers) March 26, 2022
Live on @espnausnz / @kayosports / @foxtelpic.twitter.com/SIWXOGr1me
Roth faces tough competition from the likes of Dean Vickerman (United) and Chase Buford (Kings), but he is right in the conversation.
Just quickly, it was also brilliant to see Aussie NBA star Joe Ingles off his crutches as he makes big steps forward in his recovery from a leg injury.
Ingles has endured a tough time, with his injury coinciding with a surprise trade from Utah to Portland.
Yet in true Jingles fashion, the affable Aussie forward has just taken the news in his stride with a smile and his trademark whit.
DISLIKE: Perth Wildcats coach Scott Morrison was out of line when he had a crack at a journalist for asking a legitimate question about the club’s looming import signing.
The reporter asked the Wildcats coach if rumours the club is set to sign import John Brown to replace Michael Frazier II was a distraction.
Scott Morrison on the locker room after the game.
— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) March 26, 2022
Full presser: https://t.co/ENdZWmpHo5pic.twitter.com/VBFirzBtfH
Morrison lost it, telling the reporter to focus on something else and to learn about the game.
It was an unfair and unnecessary comment.
Morrison has bigger issues at play after Perth lost consecutive home games over the weekend.
SHOOSH: Which head coach is under immense pressure to keep his job, with his replacement already being mentioned in hoops circles
Giddey’s blow as season ends prematurely
Josh Giddey’s debut NBA season has come to a heartbreaking end with injury ruling the Aussie out for the remainder of the campaign.
The news was confirmed by Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault who said the record-breaking debutant would not play again this season having been out of action since last month.
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“It’s a tricky injury that’s a little unpredictable,” Daigneault said.
“I would not say it met or didn’t meet an expectation.
“We didn’t really have an expectation.”
Giddey made headlines around the world this season when he became one of only two rookies to record three-straight triple-doubles.
He made 10 starts for the Thunder last month before picking up the injury which would end his season.
His performance has earned him high praise, most notably from LeBron James who said: “He is really, really, really good. He has a great pace about the game. Great vision.
“I’ve always loved pass-first guards who can see plays happen before they happen.
“Josh is one of those kids who can definitely see the game a lot quicker than a lot of guys out on the floor, and he has shown it.
“I think he has three straight triple-doubles and playing beautiful basketball.”
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