With the game only hours away, basketball fans all over Australia will be ‘giddey’ with anticipation and perhaps, have a few nerves. Without a doubt, this will be the toughest test that the Boomers have faced in their Olympic journey and a lot of things will need to go right for the Australians to prevail. While the best-case scenario probably would’ve been to face the USA in a gold medal match, the fact of the matter is that the Americans would have stood in the way of Australia’s gold medal chances regardless of when they played.
Despite their slow start to the tournament, the Americans have begun to kick into gear. Kevin Durant has showed off his unparalleled shot-making ability throughout the past week and has now become the all-time leading scorer for USA basketball. Jayson Tatum appears to have found some rhythm offensively, highlighted by the final group stage match against the Czech Republic where he was a flamethrower from deep and ended the game with 27 points. Jrue Holiday has been a steadying presence, as his hounding defence and full court pressure has carried on from the NBA Finals right into Olympic play. Players like Zach LaVine and Devin Booker, who are accustomed to having the ball in their hands every possession, are adapting and adjusting to play specific roles within the offence. LaVine in particular has also improved on the other end of the floor, upping his defensive intensity.
For the Boomers, the exhibition victory against the USA a few weeks prior will boost their confidence, but an Olympic semi-final will bring out a beast far more ferocious and desperate than the one they defeated back in Las Vegas. However, there is hope. For the first time since 2004, USA basketball is no longer the unbeatable powerhouse that we’ve come to expect. With losses to Nigeria, Australia and France in the last few weeks alone, this 2021 iteration of USA basketball is a far cry from the dominant ‘Dream Teams’ of years past. There are genuine flaws on the roster, with an overreliance on tough shot making and a lack of a true floor general.
What can the Boomers do?
A crucial adjustment that coach Brian Goorjian should make for the semi final is to start Matisse Thybulle over Matthew Dellavedova. While Dellavedova has been a mainstay of this Australian team for the better part of a decade and provides plenty of experience, his play throughout the tournament so far has underwhelmed. Offensively, he hasn’t been able to provide the spark that the Boomers have needed and although he does offer more on the other side of the floor, Thybulle is simply an upgrade in every way.
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Thybulle has been the most impressive defensive player in the Olympics so far. With the likes of Draymond Green, Bam Adebayo and Rudy Gobert also competing, it certainly is some high praise. Thybulle has the ability to simply swarm offensive players with his lateral movement, before snatching the ball away with his quick hands. Not only that, he has also shown a sneaky propensity to move slightly out of position in order to bait an errant pass, which he then swoops in to collect at the last second. Most impressive of all however, Thybulle has quickly shed his NBA reputation as an ineffective shooter from three, shooting confidently and effectively at a 55% clip (5/9) from deep.
Another pleasant surprise for the Boomers has been the play of Jock Landale, who impressed the San Antonio Spurs enough to offer him a two-year deal. Landale has taken advantage of the vacancy left in the wake of Aron Baynes’ injury, providing a bit of everything for the Boomers. He has been a reliable scorer from the post and from deep, as well as showing plenty of aggression on the boards, often finding a way to either secure the rebound or tap loose balls to teammates.
A Boomer who hasn’t been quite at his best so far is Joe Ingles. The Utah Jazz sharpshooter has been passive on the offensive end, often opting to pass on the perimeter and on drives, instead of shooting the ball himself. While that is undoubtedly an admirable thing to do, Australia will need a strong offensive performance from Ingles if they’re to stand any chance of defeating the US again. Ingles is one of the best in the world at catch and shoot three pointers, so look for him to try and establish an early rhythm from deep.
Last but not least, is Patty Mills. The Australian flag bearer has been the talisman for this Boomers squad throughout the tournament and will need to have another monster shooting display to send Australia into the gold medal game. He’s flashed his all-around offensive game with a plethora of crafty finishes, smart dump-off passes in the lane and of course, the ability to make difficult, off-balance three-pointers. Opponents have blitzed Mill’s pick and rolls all week long in order to thwart Australia’s most potent offensive weapon, and it’s likely the US will do the same. However, many of Mill’s best offensive actions have come in off-ball movement, where he will sprint around multiple screens before flashing open on the perimeter, so look for the Boomers to try and get Mills some easier shots in these kinds of actions early on. Additionally, Mills’ offensive gravity may drag defenders out of position and create opportunities for his teammates. If the likes of Dante Exum and Ingles are able to capitalise on these little momentary advantages, it could go a long way for the Boomers.