MELBOURNE (Paulo Kennedy’s View from Downunder) – The playoffs are a great time … to find out what players are made of, and whether they’re up to the pressure of international basketball.

With the new FIBA competition system kicking off in November, that  means going into places like the Philippines, China and Korea and getting the job done in important World Cup qualifiers.

Of course, with four of the six qualifying windows in November and February, it also means picking a squad from those competing in the NBL. Here’s a quick look at what we’ve learned throughout these playoffs about how eight Boomers candidates perform under the bright lights:

Damian Martin
Many people will tell you Martin’s perimeter game gets found out in big games. Turns out that’s an old wives’ tale. Damo has shot 36 per cent from deep in his NBL playoff career, 44 per cent from the arc in seasons where his Perth Wildcats have won the title, and 50 per cent in the FIBA Basketball World Cup and Olympics, albeit on a very small sample size.

I assumed Martin’s international career was over post-Rio, but after watching how he dominates games in so many ways, the question is can any other player than Matty Dellavedova – who won’t be available for qualifiers – teach the Boomers’ competitive approach to the new crew as well as Damo?

.@damianmartin53 with the captain's knock 🏏

12 points (on 4 x 3 balls)
6 rebounds
6 assists
3 steals#SwisseNBLFinals #YourGame #NBL17 pic.twitter.com/mbtkgw31LE

— NBL (@NBL) March 1, 2017

Mitch Norton
Norton’s defence on Jerome Randle and Bryce Cotton – and anyone else who has come his way – has been one of the highlights of the post-season. Given there are some quick diminutive guards on the Asian scene – most notably Jason Castro – his ability to defend and willingness to spend hours studying opponents could be valuable.

Add that to his ability to run the offence and finish on penetration and he can mount a strong case, however the grand final against Perth – where he’s had five turnovers including some at costly moments – has also shown he still has some growing to do in terms of his control under pressure.

AJ Ogilvy
He hasn’t been a Boomer since 2011 and many would say that’s unlikely to change under Andrej Lemanis’ watch. While last season AJ made an extremely strong case, this year he has reverted to some mentally weak ways at times, including struggling with the physicality of Matt Hodgson and Eric Jacobsen in the semi-finals.

Credit to Ogilvy with the way he has bounced back in the grand final – his 21 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and three assists in Game 2 were just superb – but these playoffs have shown some issues around the rim under pressure with his lack of length, and a lack of smarts in getting his shot off while being challenged.

Not in @Jacobsen_Eric's 🏡#SwisseNBLFinals #NBL17 #YourGame pic.twitter.com/canuXKE2pT

— NBL (@NBL) February 16, 2017

Matt Hodgson
In just over 61 semi-final minutes the seven-footer from Ipswich grabbed 26 rebounds, blocked five shots, changed countless others, intimidated Ogilvy, ran the floor extremely well and reinforced the view that he could still develop into a Boomer, given the 26-year-old is a late developer.

There is no denying his height, length, speed, mobility and speed up and down the floor automatically put him on the international radar. With very few genuine bigs his age or younger expect to see Hodgson in camp sooner rather than later.

Angus Brandt
Many fans shake their heads at Brandt’s regular inclusion in extended Boomers squads, but in 35 grand final minutes he was managed 24 points, 13 boards, four assists and a pair of swats. What he offers is discipline and hard work, and if the Boomers bigs are hit by injury there are worse options than Brandt.

What Lemanis will know is the can hold his ground in the post, hit the mid-range jumper, finish with athleticism, set good picks, box out reliably and crash the boards. To me those are all good reasons why he should remain in the extended squad.

Brandt with the buzzer beating PUT🔙 🚨#SwisseNBLFinals #YourGame #NBL17 pic.twitter.com/CfBlqxT9dL

— NBL (@NBL) February 26, 2017

Nick Kay
After a quality regular season, Kay has struggled to get himself consistently involved in the playoffs, and has uncharacteristically been outworked by Perth’s bigs in the grand final, grabbing just three boards in 43 minutes! Most disappointing has been his passive approach, often passing out when he has a one-on-one match-up in the post.

When he is aggressive his all-court game, including his precise passing and hard-nosed D, puts him in Boomers contention, but you can’t afford to have players who go passive when the heat is on. Kay’s ability to defend in Beveridge’s system at his size means he has potential to fit Lemanis’ schemes, but he needs to show more playoff toughness in the remaining grand final game(s).    

Cam Gliddon
Eight points on 1-of 9 shooting in 59 minutes. That was Gliddon’s playoff campaign. Credit for his 10 boards and nine assists, but he couldn’t deliver the punches that were needed and certainly didn’t die trying.

Ironically, international basketball needs players who are happy to only take shots when it’s their turn, but Gliddon needs to prove he can hit the big shot when needed before returning to the green and gold.

Nathan Sobey
Sobey’s NBL season was incredible – 15.5ppg, 40 per cent from the arc, 5.1rpg, 4.1apg and just 1.7 turnovers per night – given he was a 'bit player' in 2015/16. The semi-final series against Illawarra has shown both his international potential and that he probably needs to prove he can produce it over a longer time to move past an extended Boomers squad invite and into the 12 come November.

Reports are Sobey has signed with PAOK in Greece for part of the NBL off-season, and that experience in a slow-paced league could be invaluable. Probably the most important thing for Nathan is increasing his size that will allow his impressive athleticism to shine in the physicality of half-court basketball.

Sobey-Wan Kenobi with the old "these aren't the points you're looking for"@sobes2zero #SwisseNBLFinals #NBL17 #YourGame pic.twitter.com/BAsAcVMdui

— NBL (@NBL) February 16, 2017

Paulo Kennedy

FIBA

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