Australia - Boomers a medal chance?

From sportal.com.au
Download source here

With so much Australian basketball talent around the world, Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has an unenviable task of picking a squad of 12 players to represent the country at this year's Beijing Olympics.

In the past, the Boomers have relied upon Andrew Gaze, Luc Longley, Shane Heal, Tony Ronaldson and Mark Bradtke to guide the national team, but we currently have many good players performing well in the NBL and around the world.

Milwaukee Bucks centre Andrew Bogut is slowly starting to cement himself as one of the best big men in the NBA, and is probably the only player in the squad that picks himself.

David Anderson has been a standout all season with CSKA Moscow and performed well for the Boomers against New Zealand last year, Matt Nielsen is consistent contributor at Lietuvos Rytas, while young point-guard Patrick Mills has been a revelation at St Mary's College in the USA.

We also have a plethora of local talent performing week in and week out in the NBL, so just who should be boarding the plane to Beijing and suiting up for the Boomers?

As already mentioned, Bogut picks himself. But who is going to provide him with the support needed inside the key against the dominant bigs around the world?

Anderson has been playing at the power forward position for CSKA Moscow and is suited to international ball. He uses his big frame well, and is more than capable of hitting the outside shot.

Chris Anstey is one of the favourites for this season's MVP award in the NBL and deserves a chance to perform at international level. He still has a lot to prove against the best in the world, but he can be used off the bench to provide back-up for Bogut and Anderson.

Nathan Jawai and Andrew Ogilvy are well credentialed to fulfill a big man post in the Olympic squad, but the duo still have a lot to learn, and should focus on the 2012 Games in London.

Arguably, Australia has the most depth in the small forward position, with at least five players capable of filling the role.

Providing he is fit, Sam Mackinnon must travel with the squad, but if his fitness fails, Mark Worthington, Glen Saville and the recently naturalised Shawn Redhage can fill his big shoes.

Nielsen has been performing well in Europe and will be selected, while Worthington is well worth the trip, and can provide back-up for Mackinnon and Nielsen.

Brisbane Bullets star CJ Bruton looks to have a stranglehold on the starting point-guard position, and Mills should travel as his understudy.

But, Bruton and Mills lack some height and could be exposed against taller point-guards, meaning Goorjian will need to pick another ball carrier with some added inches.

David Barlow and Joe Ingles look the two players vying for this role, with the Melbourne Tigers swingman getting the nod narrowly at this stage.

Jason Smith has done the job defensively for the Boomers for so many years now and will travel, while James Harvey, Stephen Black, Brad Newley and Damien Ryan will battle it out as a back-up.

Goorjian has developed a liking for Ryan, so don't be surprised to see the sweet-shooting former Perth Wildcats man in the squad.

However, Newley is developing well and can provide a spark off the bench, while Harvey deserves his chance after an excellent season with the

With the amount of talent Goorjian has at his disposal, the Boomers are an outside chance of a medal in Beijing providing everyone remains fit and healthy.

One thing is for sure though, expect the unexpected from Goorjian. Just who he ends up picking to represent the country is a long way from being decided.

He will gather many players into a camp in the coming months, and will cast his eye over all those suitable, before making the important decision on the final squad.

My squad: CJ Bruton, Patrick Mills, David Barlow, Brad Newley, Jason Smith, James Harvey, Sam Mackinnon, Mark Worthington, Matt Nielsen, Chris Anstey, Andrew Bogut, David Anderson.