But the newly-minted Dallas Maverick underwent a gruelling rehab program and recovered in the nick of time, showing on Saturday why he was so crucial to the Boomers’ chances of Olympic success in Rio.
Advertisement
We’ve witnessed Dellavedova in the NBA Finals throwing his body around and being labelled “dirty” by locals, who don’t see that style of “gritty” basketball played often.
Assistant Boomers coach Luc Longley noted the team’s poise, saying that “while it’s not really an experienced group, [there are] lots of experienced guys”. “I think we understand that we played good today, but we also understand that it’s only one win”, Mills said. “Between him and Patty [Mills], we’re trying to get them [going] and play off it”.
This is about the early timeline Bogut was expected to return. There was some concern the Mavs would ask him to sit out after being traded from the Warriors, but the team was open to it long as the knee was healthy. And with questions about his health going into the Olympics, Bogut turned heads as he tries to lead his home country to a gold medal. “I never intended that to be a shot at them, it’s more a shot at the International Olympic Committee to get out of the penthouse suits they’re staying in to get things rolling a little better”.
Teammate Joe Ingles added, “He promised us he was going to do everything he could and you saw tonight he obviously did”. First, on offense, they could never find a rhythm or flow as a team, as Les Bleus could never score more than 19 points in any individual quarter, both due to the defense of Australia cutting off the paint and France beating themselves with turnovers (17 turnovers).
That tournament marked one of the three occasions the Australian team has achieved its best result at an Olympics – fourth – and the 21-point victory over a talented French team that included NBA star Tony Parker was certainly a statement of the ambition this team holds to win a historic first men’s Olympic basketball medal. Sure, they have some National Basketball Association talent on the roster, but taking down a medal favorite in France and handling an impressive Serbian frontline has been unexpected.
Bogut, who now has an extended bed and extra pillows, said he wasn’t having a dig at Brazil or organisers. It probably gets under-rated a little bit, and nobody talks about it. …
“I apologise to the people of Brazil”.
“They’re trying to get things right (for the athletes)”, he said.
Advertisement
Every team that faces the Team USA seems to be stunned from the time they meet on the court.
