Olympics 2024: Giddey, Mills, Landale lead Boomers to opening win against Spain
A dominant Olympic debut from Josh Giddey, more FIBA Patty Mills magic and Jock Landale’s big man presence has helped the Boomers scrap past Spain in a fiery Paris Olympic opener.
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Boomers coach Brian Goorjian believes his “fearless” Aussies have rediscovered their lost defensive mojo from last year’s failed World Cup campaign, before bristling at the pre-Games criticism that star guards Josh Giddey and Patty Mills can’t co-exist as starters.
Australian greats, including Andrew Bogut, had voiced their concerns about Giddey and Mills starting together defensively.
These fears were emphatically blown out of the water in the Olympic opening win over Spain, with backcourt duo putting on a show at both ends.
The pair combined for 36 points, while they both contributed defensively to help the Australians open their Olympic campaign in style.
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Asked if the performance from Giddey and Mills meant the commentary around their existence together was now buried, Goorjian didn’t hide his disappointment.
“I turned all my stuff off - I just thought that the whole feel about this (the Olympic team) was critiqued,” Goorjian said.
“Every move that was made. Who you selected, who plays together and even when you beat France and Serbia in the (pre-Olympic games), it’s still on that deal.
“All I know is that we keep talking about this now being our chance to showcase what our decisions were about and that we are going to make Australia proud.”
In a frank pre-game chat, Goorjian also revealed how a pre-game video of Australia’s heartbreaking losses to Spain inspired his charges to bury the demons of the past in a thrilling Olympic opener in Lille.
The Boomers ended up beating Spain by 12 points, but it was far from easy.
The Spanish surged back from a 10-point halftime deficit to take the lead midway through the third quarter.
Goorjian concedes he was edgy at this point, but he had faith in his charges to deliver in the clutch.
He revealed a pre-game video of Australia’s past losses to Spain – including the loss in the bronze medal game at the 2016 Rio Games – was pivotal.
“We showed a little video of the past to have them locked in,” he said.
“There was a fear that no matter how much you outplay them, in a three minute period they can go whack, whack and you’re in trouble.
“As a staff, I think we did a good job of making them (the players) aware of it.”
Just when the Spanish ghosts of the past looked like they were back to haunt the Boomers, the men in green and gold went on a 15-4 run to finish the third.
Goorjian praised his charges for responding to Spain’s run under immense pressure.
“They (Spain) made two heavy runs at us and they took the lead, but I thought we were fearless and courageous,” he said.
“We had a contribution from everybody, we need to get better, but defensively from what we’ve been, we’re moving forward.”
Giddey finished with a polished 15 points, five rebounds and six assists while Landale added 16 points and eight rebounds.
BOOMERS BARNEY IN LILLE
The Olympic opener turned physical late in the first quarter when NBA star Josh Green found himself in a verbal stoush.
Green forced an offensive foul on Spanish big man Usman Garuba before some choice words were exchanged.
Garuba pushed Green before his Boomers teammates came to the rescue. Will Magnay was slapped with an unsportsmanlike foul for rushing in as a third man.
Despite the blow up, the Boomers kept their composure to take a commanding 31-21 lead to the first quarter break.
Mills produced FIBA Patty again with six points, but it was the young connection of Giddey and Daniels leading the way with a combined 15 points.
Spain surged back in the second quarter to reduce the lead to just four points, before the Boomers responded again on the back of Giddey.
The Chicago Bulls NBA star killed it on the Olympic stage, as predicted.
Giddey had 15 first-half points, including 2 of 3 from range, to help the Aussies take a tight 49-42 lead into the break.
Spain refused to surrender in the third quarter – owning the opening minutes to surge back to take a two-point lead.
Clutch buckets from Mills and NBL grand final MVP Jack McVeigh steadied proceedings for the Boomers.
Landale also controlled the paint to ensure the Boomers went into the final frame leading by 9 points.
MILLS FIRES AGAIN AMID JAPAN INTEREST
FIBA Patty Mills turned up again and it could net the veteran guard a lucrative contract in Japan post the Paris Games.
The land of the rising son has emerged as a potential landing spot for Mills to continue his stellar career if he fails to secure another NBA deal.
For now, the veteran is locked in on Australia’s Olympic campaign, which was on full display in Lille against the Spanish as he dropped 19 points.
Boomers rookie Dyson Daniels said it was a joy to be on the same court as a proven performer like Mills.
“That’s what he does – he has been doing that for years – you know FIBA Patty,” Daniels said post-game.’
“It’s a pretty special thing to watch.”
Mills jumped out of the blocks like a jack rabbit, forcing a three-point foul play on the Spanish on his first touch.
The veteran nailed all three free-throws to give the green and gold the early ascendancy.
Most importantly, Mills nailed the big moments for the Boomers, just like he always does on the FIBA stage.
DANIELS DELIVERS ON DEBUT
It was never going to be easy for the Boomers without NBA star Dante Exum, but Olympic debutant Dyson Daniels proved he is ready for the big stage.
Daniels started and looked solid at both ends of the floor. He had four early points from two silky floaters to help the Boomers open up a comfortable 18-7 lead with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The New Orleans Pelicans star only dropped four first-half points, but he was incredibly efficient on the defensive end with his active hands.
If Exum fails to return due to his fractured right finger, the Boomers have plenty of depth to push on in his absence.
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Originally published as Olympics 2024: Giddey, Mills, Landale lead Boomers to opening win against Spain
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