Mills says Boomers are fully committed, raring to go for Tokyo

SYDNEY (Australia) - There are no ifs, ands or buts when it comes to the Australia Boomers and their availability for the Tokyo Olympics.

If the disruption to the sports world caused by the coronavirus pandemic has been severe, it has not altered the thinking of those planning to wear the green and gold in Japan, those that remain fully committed as Australia seek the one achievement that has eluded the proud national team program from the beginning, a spot on the podium.

"Crystal clear, mate," long-time Boomers star Patty Mills said in an interview with ESPN.

Mills' 21.3 points per game at the Rio Olympics was the second highest average at the event

"No hesitation at all. Everyone's well aware of that, throughout the program, the team, obviously 'Goorj' [Boomers coach Brian Goorjian], and the players as well. There's no doubt about it. Not a single ounce of blood vessel in my body says otherwise. I'm fully committed.

"That obviously comes from a very genuine place, and a goal that we have as a team that we're also very determined to accomplish."

Australia have unfinished business. No team has been closer to the podium at recent big events and missed out.

"Not a single ounce of blood vessel in my body says otherwise. I'm fully committed obviously."

At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Australia suffered an excruciating Bronze Medal Game defeat to Spain, falling in the last seconds, 89-88.

At the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China, Australia looked even more primed for a spot on the podium after beating the United States in the build-up and then rolling to six consecutive victories at the event to reach the Semi-Finals.

Spain, however, piled on the agony again, beating Mills and Co. after two overtimes, 95-88, before France hit back from a 15-point deficit in the Third-Place Game to down the Boomers, 67-59.

Mills, again, was among the tournament's leading scorers at 22.8 points per game.

Because Australia had four former NBA champions on their roster in Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Andrew Bogut and Aron Baynes, and a burning resolve to put things right after Rio, some felt the Boomers had their best-ever chance to not only achieve a top-three finish but win the title in China.

The players showed a steely determination to go all the way but ran out of steam at the end. That burning ambition of going all the way, in Tokyo, remains.

While Bogut, an excellent passing center, recently announced his retirement and will not be with Australia, there is the prospect of having Ben Simmons for the first time.

His presence, Mills says, should he fully commit to the national team, would have a seismic impact.

"Massive," Mills said. "You're not gonna deny his involvement would not only reach a goal for the playing group of a gold medal, but the overall stature of the program; there's no doubt about it."

Simmons, 24, the first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, is averaging 12.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists for the Philadelphia 76ers this season.

Mills made his Olympic debut in 2008 under Brian Goorjian, who was recently put  back in charge of the national team

Just as important as having certain players available for Tokyo is the position of coach.

Mills says Basketball Australia got it right before the holidays when they handed the national team reins back to the popular Goorjian, the very coach that gave Mills his national team debut at 17 years of age and played him at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

"I'm ecstatic to have him back," Mills said. "It's fair to say as well that he's definitely felt my determination come through the phone like a big right hook. He knows what we're about, and he knows what we're trying got do. Very pumped to have him back in the program. Just looking forward to getting back on the court with him."

FIBA