Greatest Boomer’s big Ben Simmons ‘gamble’

It comes as Basketball Australia has given Simmons a one-month ultimatum to commit to this year’s crucial Cup campaign.

The Melbourne-born guard/forward has expressed a desire to don the green and gold at this year’s Cup as he recovers from a back injury that required surgery.

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He wasn’t named in Australia’s strong 18-man squad on Monday, but he remains in the frame for the World Cup if he can regain his fitness.

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian will give Simmons every chance to overcome his injury to be a late entrant in the team’s pre-Cup camp in Cairns, starting on August 1.

Goorjian is then keen to see how the NBA star performs in camp before making a decision on the Brooklyn Nets guard.

Gaze says he’d select Simmons in Australia’s final 12-man squad based on his ability to impact the game at both ends of the floor.

He concedes it would be a risk to choose the polishing NBA star given his injury and recent history, but he believes it’s a chance worth taking.

“I would pick Ben and I would on the proviso of him agreeing to how his role would look,” said Gaze, who went to five Olympics with the Boomers.

“He brings great versatility but I would be looking for him to play in that four (forward) spot in this particular squad.

“That doesn’t mean he can’t handle the ball or exploit the really good things he does in transition as a playmaker.

“But more stereotypically I’d be playing him in that (forward) role – and his versatility is as such that he would be fantastic at it.

“Ben would bring another dimension to the team that we’ve probably never had before.”

The Australians have named a formidable 18-man squad for the World Cup this August and September, but now face the tough task of reducing the squad to a 12-man team.

We answer some key questions, including who makes the final squad and who misses out.

Mixed reaction on Baynes omission:

Easily the most contentious omission. Baynes has been a mainstay at the Boomers for over a decade, but at 36 and not in prime form, Australian officials had to make the tough decision to leave him out.

Is it the right decision? Depends on who you talk to and only time will really tell if not selecting the former championship winning NBA big man is the correct call.

Baynes suffered a serious back and neck injuries in Tokyo and has worked hard to first get back on his feet and then back on the court with the Brisbane Bullets last NBL season.

He didn’t produce his finest form at the Bullets, but his understanding of the Boomers culture and big body makes his Australian omission surprising.

That’s how Australian legend Chris Anstey felt about Baynes missing the 18-man squad for the World Cup.

“I’m not one to question Goorj’s selection, but past history and performance would suggest that you at least put Aron in the camp,” Anstey said.

“He may not have made the team, but the fact he isn’t even in the squad to have a look at him is surprising.

“Some players games translate better in the international game than the NBL and I think Baynes may fit that category.”

Gaze wasn’t surprised to see Baynes miss out based on form, but he also doesn’t believe this is the end of the big man’s international career.

“I don’t know what his future aspirations are, but I don’t think this means that they are putting a line through him for the Olympics,” he said.

“With a player like Baynes who has been such a long servant to the game, so it’s not like they are going to bring him into a squad and see where he fits.

“To me, it’s more an acknowledgment of the competition for spots.

“He (Aron) has also gone through some tough times since his injury in Tokyo and it’s great to see him back, but I think his form in the NBL last season wasn’t at a standard where it had been in the past, which there is a logical reason.”

Who is the Boomers best starting five?

Patty Mills, Josh Giddey, Joe Ingles, Ben Simmons, Jock Landale

Gaze points out this Boomers squad is deep, athletic, versatile and defensively sound.

“So, you’ve got the option to mix up the starting line-up depending on the opposition,” he said.

“That is one of the most tantalising things about this squad is that it has this physicality and athleticism that can really cause nightmares for the opposition.”

Anstey believes the Boomers will be right in the medal hunt at the World Cup, but along with at least another seven countries.

“It will all depend on which NBA players available and then form and injuries.

“There are a lot of teams with talent, and you only need one guy to go crazy.

“It can knock you out or carry you to a medal, but the Boomers are certainly in the mix.”

BOOMERS EXTENDED SQUAD

Xavier Cooks, Washington Wizards, NBA

Dyson Daniels, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

Matthew Dellavedova, Sacramento Kings, NBA

Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA

Josh Green, Dallas Mavericks, NBA

Joe Ingles, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA

Jock Landale, Phoenix Suns, NBA

Patty Mills, Brooklyn Nets, NBA

Jack White, Denver Nuggets, NBA

Matisse Thybulle, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA

Chris Goulding, Melbourne United, NBL

Will McDowell-White, New Zealand Breakers, NBL

Keanu Pinder, Perth Wildcats, NBL

Sam Froling, Illawarra Hawks, NBL

Dante Exum, Partizan Belgrade, Serbia, Adriatic Basketball Association

Nick Kay, Shimane Susanoo Magic, Japanese B.League

Thon Maker, Fujian Sturgeons, Chinese Basketball Association

Duop Reath, Qingdao Eagles, Chinese Basketball Association

PROJECTED FINAL BOOMERS 12-MAN SQUAD:

1: Patty Mills – captain

2: Josh Giddey

3: Joe Ingles

4: Ben Simmons

5: Jock Landale

6: Josh Green

7: Dante Exum

8: Dyson Daniels

9: Xavier Cooks

10: Matisse Thybulle

11: Nick Kay

12: Duop Reath

Sports reporter

Matt Logue is an award-winning sports journalist and author who brings more than 20 years’ experience to NCA NewsWire and CODE Sports. Starting out in regional newspapers in Dubbo and Bathurst, he moved to Sydney i… Read more

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