[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/australian-young-gun-ben-simmons-misses-out-on-boomers-squad-for-the-fiba-world-cup-20140727-zwzpj.html

Posted this in the news section as well. Was slightly surprised, though it kind of brings up the topic of prospect versus player. I think Simmons is a very good player right now and has tremendous upside as a prospect. The thing is, he JUST turned 18. We see the players that made it either had NBA or pro experience. I know Ben and Dante Exum played with the Boomers on a limited basis last summer and that is all good.

Think this is probably not the worst thing for Simmons, who once again would get limited PT in the World Cup as well. The guy is going to be fantastic and he is definitely the front runner for the #1 pick in 2016 at this point. Just wanted to point out, can understand his not being part of the 2014 team. Will hopefully have many more opportunities to represent the Boomers, think that by 2016 (after he is likely drafted), he has a strong rotation spot. Guess it was just not his time right now.

[Kinguy11Participant]

 An Aussie basketball forum I’m on had polarising views on the decision.  Half wanted the coach fired and the other half respected Lemanis’ decision and agreed Simmons wasn’t ready.

I agree with the latter group.  The World Cup is (or at least, should be) the pinacle of international basketball and that isn’t the time you take a player that isn’t on of your top 12 just because he has potenial and ‘could’ be good in the future.  You need your 12 best players.  If Simmons isn’t in that group this time round he needs to work hard and improve to make the next squad.

 

 

[Kinguy11Participant]

 An Aussie basketball forum I’m on had polarising views on the decision.  Half wanted the coach fired and the other half respected Lemanis’ decision and agreed Simmons wasn’t ready.

I agree with the latter group.  The World Cup is (or at least, should be) the pinacle of international basketball and that isn’t the time you take a player that isn’t on of your top 12 just because he has potenial and ‘could’ be good in the future.  You need your 12 best players.  If Simmons isn’t in that group this time round he needs to work hard and improve to make the next squad.

 

 

[r377Participant]

I agree with this. The kid has only just turned 18 last week and his time will come providing he will be good enough. World Cups and Olympics are to win and you have to have you best and most experienced players on your squad.

He has only played in the u17 worlds and high school in America.  He has not played in the NCAA, NBL or Euro leagues which all his other teammates have….

[r377Participant]

I agree with this. The kid has only just turned 18 last week and his time will come providing he will be good enough. World Cups and Olympics are to win and you have to have you best and most experienced players on your squad.

He has only played in the u17 worlds and high school in America.  He has not played in the NCAA, NBL or Euro leagues which all his other teammates have….

[theballerwayParticipant]

tough call for a coach. Personally I would liked to see him on the squad even as literally the 12th man( I doubt highly the coach plans on using a 12man rotation).Just more of an investment move as well the experience from the training practise and travelling with the Pros. however as mentioned he will have many more chances

[theballerwayParticipant]

tough call for a coach. Personally I would liked to see him on the squad even as literally the 12th man( I doubt highly the coach plans on using a 12man rotation).Just more of an investment move as well the experience from the training practise and travelling with the Pros. however as mentioned he will have many more chances

[Afactor4Participant]

I know it’s comparing Apples to Oranges, but generally Soccer teams will roll the dice on including one particularly talented youngster in their selections. It’s like an "if all else fails why not thrown on the kid and see what he can do" situation. 

It may not have been the biggest risk in the world to include him as the 12th man, although as with soccer, there may have been proven, seasoned vets that may have commanded a spot and possibly contributed more.

 

 

[Flameres15Participant]

 You’re definitely on the right track. Teams generally put a high-reward player on their team. Look at USA. They added Anthony Davis to their team, before he had played his first minute in the NBA. Although, there were many injuries to their bigs that year (2012 Olympics)

[Flameres15Participant]

 You’re definitely on the right track. Teams generally put a high-reward player on their team. Look at USA. They added Anthony Davis to their team, before he had played his first minute in the NBA. Although, there were many injuries to their bigs that year (2012 Olympics)

[Afactor4Participant]

I know it’s comparing Apples to Oranges, but generally Soccer teams will roll the dice on including one particularly talented youngster in their selections. It’s like an "if all else fails why not thrown on the kid and see what he can do" situation. 

It may not have been the biggest risk in the world to include him as the 12th man, although as with soccer, there may have been proven, seasoned vets that may have commanded a spot and possibly contributed more.

 

 

[JoeWolf1]

Kind of surprising. Even if he were relegated to a smaller role because of his youth, he’d draw interest in the tournament from Australian fans and it’d be good experience and for team chemistry for future international tournaments. 

[JoeWolf1]

Kind of surprising. Even if he were relegated to a smaller role because of his youth, he’d draw interest in the tournament from Australian fans and it’d be good experience and for team chemistry for future international tournaments. 

[joecheck88Participant]

 I can see both sides of it. If he is on the team it can boost his confidence but it also opens the roster spot for a guy that fought for his spot. I’m sure Simmons isn’t one of the 12 best players right now. Too many grown men. I think I would’ve add him though. Him and Exum both and play those two together in practice on the second team. That way they play against high competition and grow together. 

[joecheck88Participant]

 I can see both sides of it. If he is on the team it can boost his confidence but it also opens the roster spot for a guy that fought for his spot. I’m sure Simmons isn’t one of the 12 best players right now. Too many grown men. I think I would’ve add him though. Him and Exum both and play those two together in practice on the second team. That way they play against high competition and grow together. 

[Rip255]

I like Simmons and he’s the future, but 12 roster spots isn’t many and just doeasn’t leave enough room to carry a development player in such an important tournament. 

Simmons has never played against competition of that standard so it’s unlikely he’ll be able to contribute and there’s very little liklihood of junk time minutes opening up. 

I doubt Exum will even get quality minutes. Dellevedova will get 30 and the remaining 10 at the PG spot will be split between him and Gibson.

And I like the idea of cutting Simmons. It takes away his sense of entitlement and makes him hungry to make the squad for the Olympic team in 2 years time. After all, right now he’s probably being swarmed by "yes-men" who want to cash in on him. 

I’m very interested to see Nathan Jawai. Maybe an NBA comeback is on offer if he can have a strong tournament. 

[Rip255]

I like Simmons and he’s the future, but 12 roster spots isn’t many and just doeasn’t leave enough room to carry a development player in such an important tournament. 

Simmons has never played against competition of that standard so it’s unlikely he’ll be able to contribute and there’s very little liklihood of junk time minutes opening up. 

I doubt Exum will even get quality minutes. Dellevedova will get 30 and the remaining 10 at the PG spot will be split between him and Gibson.

And I like the idea of cutting Simmons. It takes away his sense of entitlement and makes him hungry to make the squad for the Olympic team in 2 years time. After all, right now he’s probably being swarmed by "yes-men" who want to cash in on him. 

I’m very interested to see Nathan Jawai. Maybe an NBA comeback is on offer if he can have a strong tournament. 

[chaParticipant]

I’d prefer him get some type of exposure as early as now just for the experience and training. I’ve seen numerous players that well really well for the upcoming season especially when they train in the offseason ie 2012 Team USA players who absolutely went nuts in the first few games early in the season. It gives them a slight edge over the competition who has yet to regain proper ‘game-time’ rhythm, strength and conditioning- especially at the very start of the regular season. But looking at it for the team’s perspective, I may not be in their best intention to let a player who just turned 18 with little high level international competition play with a team with high hopes to compete. 

[chaParticipant]

I’d prefer him get some type of exposure as early as now just for the experience and training. I’ve seen numerous players that well really well for the upcoming season especially when they train in the offseason ie 2012 Team USA players who absolutely went nuts in the first few games early in the season. It gives them a slight edge over the competition who has yet to regain proper ‘game-time’ rhythm, strength and conditioning- especially at the very start of the regular season. But looking at it for the team’s perspective, I may not be in their best intention to let a player who just turned 18 with little high level international competition play with a team with high hopes to compete. 

[Author]

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