Last chance to impress: Paris-bound Boomers to cut four after China game
By Roy Ward
The Australian Boomers’ journey to Paris 2024 starts Thursday night, but only for 12 of the 16 members of the squad.
Four unlucky players will miss the cut for the Olympics after the final warm-up game against China in Melbourne, with team stalwarts Joe Ingles, Matthew Dellaevdova and Chris Goulding among those awaiting news of their fate.
Chris Goulding lets fly with a three-pointer against China.Credit: Getty Images
For Ingles, the national selection watch will cap a tumultuous week, following reports on Thursday morning (AEST) that he had been traded after one year at the Orlando Magic to NBA rivals the Minnesota Timberwolves.
A ticket to Paris would likely come with a tinge of redemption for Dellavedova, who was left out of the World Cup squad last year. Goulding, meanwhile, is hoping to be selected for his third Olympics, but is no stranger to life on the edge of Boomers selection.
In the hours after Thursday night’s game with China at John Cain Arena the squad of 12 for Paris 2024 will be confirmed.
Goulding has done all he can – he was among the MVP candidates in the NBL with Melbourne United this season, and he scored 14 points in his second-half appearance against China on Tuesday night.
Josh Giddey attempts to make a pass against China.Credit: Getty Images
“I’ve lived in this world of not really knowing what’s happening for every campaign for the past 10 years,” Goulding said harking back to his debut at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
“It doesn’t get any easier, but I’m definitely used to it.”
Goulding swished a three-pointer within seconds of entering play on Tuesday night and that ability to be ready is what could take him to Paris.
After injuries ruined his chances to contribute at last year’s FIBA World Cup, Goulding was left on the bench to guide Dyson Daniels and the other young NBA stars entering the start of their Boomers careers.
Unlike most of his generation of Boomers, the 35-year-old has never had the chance to play in the NBA despite being more than capable of matching it with the world’s best.
This makes his connection to the Boomers even stronger, and he will push on for as long as the team will have him.
“It’s important to all of us – we want to represent our country,” Goulding said.
“Guys want to represent it for the first time at a major tournament, I just want to play as many games in the green and gold as I can because I absolutely love it.”
The core of Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Jock Landale, Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle, Dyson Daniels, Josh Green and Dante Exum look pretty assured of heading to Paris but the last four spots remain in flux.
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian described the selection picture as becoming cloudier, not clearer as Tasmanian JackJumpers star Jack McVeigh has blazed away during training camp before nailing 24 points on Tuesday.
McVeigh left his new wife and best friends to enjoy a group honeymoon in Asia so he could try out for the Olympics.
He’s no certainty but is pushing the likes of Ingles and, possibly, Goulding – Goorjian will play his best side on Thursday night and then see how McVeigh and others fit with the leading players.
Reath has gone from strength to strength since Goorjian took him to Tokyo and after starring with Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA, he will take a bigger role this tournament.
But he lost his cool against a feisty Chinese side on Tuesday and appeared to lightly headbutt opponent Ru Wang Du, who comically toppled to the floor.
Goorjian will remind his players that such acts could see a player suspended for Olympic matches or worse.
“If you do something stupid here, you could get suspended and then cut [from the team] because you won’t be available to play the games,” Goorjian warned.
”Certain things happen at this level - I wasn’t thinking about that but that point will be made - tonight was a reminder.“
Busy trade period for Boomers
Australian Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has no problems, he hopes, with three of his brightest young stars and a seasoned veteran being traded to new NBA teams on the eve of Paris 2024.
Point guard Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City to Chicago), Dyson Daniels (New Orleans to Atlanta) and Josh Green (Dallas to Charlotte) were shipped to new teams in the opening fortnight of the NBA player movement period, and ESPN reported on Thursday morning (AEST) that Joe Ingles was heading to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Ingles’ $11 million option for 2024-25 was declined by the Orlando Magic at the weekend, but financial terms for his move to Minnesota are yet to emerge.
In his first season with the Magic in 2023-24, Ingles, 36, played in 68 games and averaged 4.4 points with 2.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
Dyson Daniels drives to the basket.Credit: Getty Images
Details of the trades of Green and Daniels are still to be made public.
Goorjian lost Giddey from early training sessions so he could fly to Chicago for a physical.
Boomers forward Josh Green on Tuesday night.Credit: Getty Images
Green wasn’t available to talk to the media following the Boomers’ 107-87 win over China at John Cain Arena on Tuesday night as his move to Charlotte was still to be finalised, but Goorjian and teammate Dante Exum said Green was excited about the opportunity to start and play big minutes with the Hornets.
Green and Exum didn’t play on Tuesday night as Goorjian wanted them to have some rest time after playing in the NBA finals, which finished just two weeks ago. But they will play on Thursday.
“Most of them see opportunity – our guys are role players and now a guy like Green is going to play a much more pivotal role and same with Daniels, they need a big defensive guard so they have brought him in,” Goorjian said.
“I know those guys all love being a part of the Boomers, and they are starting to understand this and look forward to being a part of it.”
“We have to start getting that group playing together,” Goorjian said referring to his starting lineup.
“And we have to whittle it back to a group of eight or nine (who will play the bulk of games).
Jack McVeigh of the Boomers.Credit: Getty Images
“Landale, Giddey, Patty – we have to get that group playing together whereas tonight we had 60 or so points from guys who we don’t know if they will be on the team.”
Dellavedova was subbed out late after hurting his knee; Goorjian didn’t have an update on his condition post game.
“I do feel we are going to get the right group and the tenacity, the spirit – some of the stuff that was missing from the World Cup [last year] is there this time, and that is an aspect,” Goorjian said.
“This ball juggle is not about making tough cuts, it’s about how do you win games.
“Every time you play, it gets a little more cloudy when I want it to be clearer.“
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