Monday, June 29, 2009

Boomers, Emus, Birds and More Hoop Animals

Wang Zhizhi closed his eyes and dropped twenty on the Boomers.

Hope you guys are happy to know that I had a very success trip overseas (Magnetic Is) and have returned refreshed and ready to tackle another week here in sunny Townsville.

While I was away the Australian u/19 team (Emus) wrapped up an impressive three days in Melbourne with a sweep of the Four Nations Tournament. This was good preparation for all teams (Greece, Spain, France and Australia) involved as they are getting ready for the World Championships that start in New Zealand later this week.

If you missed the results from these game you can click here and browse through all the results from the tournament.

There were a few things that could my attention from this tournament.

Brock Motum (tourney MVP) will be making his new coach in waiting Ken Bone feel pretty good about his incoming class at Washington St.

Motum led the Australian team in scoring for all three games and hit the "O" glass hard all tourney. Motum will want to carry this form through the WC's before he makes tracks for Pullman, WA and the Pac-10.

Secondly, I have been a little harsh on Cody Ellis and his attitude I felt he displayed at the National u/20 titles, but Ellis may just be a "gamer". Ellis displayed a good all round game over the three games, but like Motum, this will all be forgotten if this form cannot be replicated in New Zealand later this week at the WC's.

St Louis Coach Rick Majerus will be hoping Ellis can continue to play at a high level so he can help the ever improving Billikens of the Atlantic-10 Conference. Ellis will be an incoming true freshman.

All the best to the Emus in the upcoming WC's and I will endeavour to keep you, the reader, up to date with their progress.

The Australian Boomers are currently on a two game tour of China, but the Boomers have gone down by six in Game 1.

84-78 was the end result with Toronto Raptor Nathan Jawai leading the Aussie squad with 14 points and 8 boards.

James Harvey (check out his tour blog ) was the only other Aussie to reach double figures with 12.

Coach Brett Brown praised the defense of Peter Crawford who ended the game with 9 points and 6 steals.

Leading the Chinese attack was veteran Wang Zhizhi with 20.

China was somewhat concerned pregame with how they would contain Jawai without Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian not suiting up for the home team.

Wang a former NBAer showed that he is still more than capable of causing a matchup problem. He is a skillful 7 footer which makes him a tough cover for opposition centres. His perimeter game is his strength but he is efficient enough on the block not to allow you to go with a small on him.

Let's see how the Boomers address this matchup in Game 2.

You can catch a few highlights from Game 1 here.

Other News

- Former South Dragon guard Nathan Herbert signs with the Adelaide 36ers.

I'm sure Herbert will be looking to be the recipient of extra minutes in Adelaide.

He will battle Boomer Brad Hill (did I just say that?) and Dr Darren Ng for minutes at the two guard spot.

- What is CJ Bruton doing in Ballina?

- Martin Cattalini returns home.

- Seattle Storm's Lauren Jackson talks about teaming up with Sue Bird year round.

- Hoopfest is the largest 3-on-3 tournament in the world. Thanks Spokane,Wa.

1 comment:

Dodge Taylor said...

Was going to guess/joke that your "overseas trip" was to Magnetic Island! Its obviously the Townsville equivalent of Bribie.