AUS - Can the Boomers Bounce Brazil?

HAMAMATSU (FIBA 2006 World Championships) - The Australian Boomers face their first test of the FIBA 2006 World Championships Saturday when they take on the more fancied Brazil.
The Boomers will not be fighting above their weight division, however, and will have taken much encouragement from results at the Stankovic Continental Champions Cup.

Brazil struggled to overcome hosts China, before being defeated by France in the playoff for third position. While the Brazilians are certainly laden with talent, they play a traditional style of basketball, making them vulnerable to a well executed plan.

Highly respected in international basketball, this team is like many of the physically powerful South American sides that have preceded them, according to Australian assistant coach Rob Beveridge.

"They are strong, they are athletic, they penetrate well," said Beveridge, emphasizing well known Brazilian strengths, but also aware of their weaknesses.

"They are not great shooters from what I have seen, but you cannot underestimate them."

In the Stankovic Continental Champions Cup the American champions shot just 15/54 from long range, relying instead on their ability to beat defenders one on one to create easier shots.

While athletically the Boomers are confident they can match the Brazilians on defense, whether they can match them on the boards, the Achilles heel of this young Australian side, will be tested severely on Saturday.

In their two victories in China, Brazil averaged almost 13 offensive rebounds per game, with inside stars Tiago Splitter and Anderson Varejao combining for well over half of those.

With Australia's lack of frontcourt depth, particularly at the power forward position, Brazil will be no doubt looking to punish the Boomers in this area.

While usual small forward Sam Mackinnon has been outstanding manning the four spot in the lead-up to the championships, coach Brian Goorjian will be hoping for big things out of rising star Daniel Kickert.

Kickert is recognised as a future talent, but his lack of experience against the strength of international players poses his biggest challenge. Beveridge, however, is confident other aspects of the 209cm Melbournian's game can overcome this.

"He is a very similar player to Matt Nielsen. An inside-outside player, he can handle the ball and shoot the three."

It was this sort of versatility that troubled Brazil against France, who used a wide variety of match-ups to disrupt the strong Brazilian defensive set.

Versatile forwards Boris Diaw (15 points), Florent Pietrus and Mickael Gelabale (both 11 points) stretched the tall Brazilian line up, landing a combined 6/9 three pointers as the French recorded 5 players in double figures, compared to only Barbosa for Brazil.

Splitter and 208cm Becker Da Rosa ended in foul trouble, while Varejao contributed only 5 points and 1 rebound. The entire Brazilian team only collected 27 boards as a team, by far their lowest total in the lead up to Japan.

With Australia's results thus far relying heavily on perimeter shooting (they have not lost when hitting over 30% on threes), and the Brazilian bigs uncomfortable away from the basket, this match could hinge on the Boomers ability to spread the floor.

The Brazilians have also struggled to achieve wins without a major contribution from star guard Leandro Barbosa. Thus veteran pair of CJ Bruton and Jason Smith will have a major impact on the result.

History shows that Barbosa will always score points. However, if the Aussies can stop his penetration, the other Brazilians may struggle to manufacture their own shots. Just as importantly, the Australians will then be able to rebound as a team to counter their size deficit.

The Brazilian defence will be geared toward Andrew Bogut and Brad Newley. While this would be daunting for most youngsters, these two 21 year olds seem to have taken international basketball in their stride.

Newley in particular has been a revelation. His new found consistency from the three point line enables him to drive to the basket with ease. Once there he is more than comfortable finishing the play over the tall timber.

There are no secrets to Bogut's game. He simply tries to out work and out hustle his opponent on every possession. His ability to pass the ball is also crucial, as a double team will never be too far away for the duration of the tournament.

There is no question Bogut's contribution will be important for the Boomers, however he is not yet good enough to carry a team internationally. Nothing but a complete team effort will see the Aussies succeed.

To conquer Brazil, the Boomers must hit the open shots created by double teams on Newley, Bogut and Mackinnon. Equally, Bruton, Smith and their young supporting cast must stop Barbosa opening up the Boomer defense or their lack of size inside the paint will be exposed.

Can they do it? Only time will tell.

Paul Kennedy
FIBA Official Correspondent in Australia.