‘I was in a gutter’: Boomers star’s raw reveal; Patty’s ‘very clear’ role with new team — Aussies in NBA
- by Admin
- October 22, 2024
The 2024-25 NBA season tips off today, with 14 Australians on show — from already established players in new situations to emerging talent with big opportunities.
Foxsports.com.aualready provided an update earlier in the month on how each player was looking and what they had said at media day.
But now, with the season finally here, we give one final update on what sort of role you can expect from every Australian in the NBA this year amd how they fared in the preseason.
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Fiery clash in all Melbourne NBL battle | 00:48
BEN SIMMONS (Brooklyn Nets)
Expect for Simmons to line up as Brooklyn’s starting point guard to open the season, although this preseason has given Nets coach Jordi Fernandez an intriguing glimpse into what could be possible with both the Australian and Dennis Schroder sharing the floor.
With Nic Claxton unavailable, Simmons has played a point center role which has essentially allowed the Nets to still have shooting in the other four positions, allowing them to play at a faster pace which plays into the three-time All-Star’s strengths.
Claxton’s return will bump Simmons out of the center spot and he was never expected to be the long-term answer there anyway, but the team’s preseason performances with him there have given Fernandez something to think about when it comes to line-up flexibility.
Should Simmons start at point guard as anticipated, it could reignite the debate about his fit next to Claxton given the way the Nets’ offence spluttered with two non-shooters sharing the floor.
Pre-season stats lines
vs Raptors: 4 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers 2-2 FG,
vs Wizards: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 5-7 FG
vs Clippers: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1-5 FG
JOSH GIDDEY (Chicago Bulls)
Giddey looks to be locked in as Chicago’s starting point guard in the backcourt alongside Coby White, with Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic rounding out the starting five.
This is very much a prove-it year for Giddey, who hit a wall in his final season with the Oklahoma City Thunder after being asked to play an off-ball role that didn’t play into his strengths.
At Chicago, Giddey will be one of the focal points of the offence, although there are legitimate concerns over the fact both White and LaVine will also command plenty of usage in a guard-heavy Bulls team.
Giddey was extension eligible this offseason and while he didn’t come to an agreement with Chicago before the deadline for rookie extensions, it means it is ultimately now a case of Giddey betting on himself to prove how much he is worth — whether that is to the Bulls or a rival team.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported earlier in the week that figure may sit at around A$45 million a year.
“Immanuel Quickley’s five-year, $175 million deal with Toronto this past summer has set a benchmark for young guards around the NBA,” Fischer wrote.
“Josh Giddey is said to be seeking at least $30 million in AAV (average annual value) in his next deal, sources said, although the Bulls appear more keen on evaluating Giddey through this first season in Chicago before committing that type of money to the Australian playmaker.”
Pre-season stats lines
vs Timberwolves: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers 1-11 FG, 1-5 3PT
vs Bucks: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 4-9 FG, 3-4 3PT
vs Grizzlies: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 3-10 FG, 1-4 3PT
vs Cavaliers: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 5-11 FG, 0-3 3PT
Giddey stars on first Bulls game | 00:55
JOSH GREEN (Charlotte Hornets)
Another traded Australian who appears to have sealed a starting spot, with Green expected to line up on the wing for a Hornets team alongside LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams.
Green was heavily involved early in Charlotte’s preseason action but then sat out their next game for rest and was unavailable once again last Friday, with the Hornets not specifying if he was suffering any injury.
Without any clarification on that front, it still seems like Green is set to start in the Hornets’ season opener against the Rockets on Thursday.
While Ball and Miller are very much the future at Charlotte, the opportunity to play through his mistakes for a team under nowhere near as much pressure as Dallas should bring the best out of Green.
Pre-season stats lines
vs Heat: 1 turnover, 0-1 FG
vs Knicks: 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2-4 FG, 1-2 3PT
DYSON DANIELS (Atlanta Hawks)
Daniels looks locked into the starting line-up alongside Trae Young, De’Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela after an impressive preseason which saw the Australian guard show off his disruptive off-ball defence.
The Bendigo product racked up five steals and two blocks in four preseason games while also averaging 10.8 points, showcasing his improved confidence on the offensive end too.
But it was Daniels’ work on defence that was the talk of the locker room, with Young describing his new Australian teammate as “one of the best defenders in the league”.
“Every time he’s on the ball he’s pressuring the ball,” Young said.
“It helps our defence, it kills time off the clock. That’s what teams try to do versus us, they try and pick me up full-court and get the ball out of my hands and trying to use clock before we get across half-court.
“We’ve got one of those guys now and he’s going to help us a lot throughout the season. We’ll get wins because of the impact that he has on the defensive end.”
Pre-season stats lines
vs Thunder: 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 5-14 FG, 3-7 3PT
vs Heat: 9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3-7 FG, 3-6 3PT
vs 76ers: 7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 3-9 FG, 1-5 3PT
vs Pacers: 14 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 5-8 FG, 1-3 3PT
JOE INGLES (Minnesota Timberwolves)
A complete contrast to Daniels. Ingles is in the final few years of his career and the move to Minnesota is not about development but simply putting himself in the position to be part of something special as the Timberwolves push for a championship.
He is around a few familiar faces too, having played with Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley at the Jazz.
That experience with Gobert in the pick-and-roll will be particularly important for Ingles, who is pretty close to a like-for-like replacement for Kyle Anderson.
“I had eight years with him (Gobert) and six of them we played pretty big minutes together for a while,” Ingles said at media day.
“I wouldn’t know the number but a lot of pick and rolls. I think us both over those six or seven years understanding each other and what works for us both… obviously for me it was trying to get him the ball the easiest way and that was a big part of it, and then obviously Mike coming in late and helping us both.
“It’ll be fun to play with him again. A lot of that stuff comes natural once we get out there together again, you just automatically go back to some of the things that happened. Obviously different coach, different system, whole different state but excited to be back out there with him and Mike.”
Pre-season stats lines
vs Bulls: 3 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover 1-2 FG, 1-2 3PT
vs Knicks: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2-4 FG, 2-4 3PT
vs 76ers: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1-4 FG, 1-4 3PT
vs Lakers: 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT
PATTY MILLS (Utah Jazz)
You know what you are going to get from Mills at this point of his career.
He’ll help space the floor as a 3-point shooter, although the results won’t always be consistent and the same goes for his defence, although you can guarantee the veteran guard won’t be taking any shortcuts.
There won’t be significant minutes on offer for Mills at a young Jazz squad that is still trying to find its identity, but you won’t even have to look at the box score to truly understand the impact he is having.
As Mills explained at media day, his role at Utah will extend far beyond what happens on the court.
“The role I have on this team this year is very clear,” Mills said.
“What I have to bring to an incredibly young talented group is exciting for me to be able to share what I have experienced over the course of 15 years in the NBA with an NBA championship, five Olympic Games and an Olympic medal.
“I think there’s a lot here that I’m naturally good at being able to help some younger guys develop and create a strong foundation base here in Utah for the Jazz to be able to build on over the course of many, many years.
“I think my presence in this locker room and being able to guide this talented, young team is where this starts.”
Pre-season stats lines
vs Trail Blazers: 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT
vs Kings: 5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT
DANTE EXUM (Dallas Mavericks)
Exum just can’t catch a break.
The Dallas Mavericks guard sustained a serious right wrist injury during training camp and underwent surgery which ESPN’s Shams Charania reports will sideline him for three months.
It is the latest setback in Exum’s career, having recently dislocated his finger in the second quarter of Australia’s exhibition game against France ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Pre-season stats lines — N/A
Horror injury luck continues for Exum | 00:20
JOHNNY FURPHY (Indiana Pacers)
Furphy, who the Pacers selected early in the second round of this year’s draft, did not play in the preseason after spraining his right ankle in training camp.
“He had a pretty significant sprained ankle,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said last week.
“There’s no point in rushing him out there just to try to get him into a game and have him get re-injured again.”
Furphy did get some work in at practice before Indiana’s final preseason game but was still held out, with the Pacers opting to take a cautious approach with the Australian rookie.
While Furphy didn’t get to play in the preseason he did impress at Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 14 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.8 steals in four games.
The lack of preseason action is only going to make it harder for Furphy to crack into Indiana’s rotation, at least to start the season, and it may take injuries to either Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard or Kendall Brown for him to see minutes early on.
Pre-season stats lines — N/A
MATISSE THYBULLE (Portland Trail Blazers)
Another one who is battling a preseason injury. Thybulle underwent a procedure late last week to address inflammation in the right knee, with the Trail Blazers confirming he is expected to miss up to four weeks.
It is the last thing Thybulle needed given he was already going to be battling for minutes off the bench given the glut of wing depth at Portland, who traded Deni Avdija this offseason.
Then you also add in the fact the rebuilding Trail Blazers are more likely to prioritise giving minutes to their younger wings (Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons) and Jerami Grant, who Portland signed to a five-year, $160 million contract extension in July last year.
In other words, as valuable as Thybulle’s defence and veteran presence is, he could hardly afford to miss the start of the season given the competition for minutes in Portland’s rotation.
Pre-season stats lines — N/A
DUOP REATH (Portland Trail Blazers)
Like Thybulle, Reath looks buried in the rotation and may struggle to find regular minutes outside of specific match-ups or game situations where Portland needs a floor-spacing big.
Deandre Ayton is locked in as the starting big man while the Trail Blazers drafted Donovan Clingan with the seventh overall pick and will want to get him plenty of experience.
It leaves Reath as the third option, although if the Portland coaching staff needed reminding Reath left a lasting impression as he scored 14 points to go with five rebounds and three steals in his final preseason game.
Pre-season stats lines
vs Jazz: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 5-11 FG, 4-8 3PT
vs ULM: 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 0-3 FG, 0-3 3PT
vs Kings: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2-7 FG, 2-4 3PT
vs Clippers: 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2-5 FG, 0-2 3PT
NBL champ nails NBA buzzer beater! | 00:33
JACK MCVEIGH (Houston Rockets)
Quickly has become a fan favourite of sorts in Houston.
McVeigh made the most of his playing time in the preseason, coming up clutch in a 122-113 win over the Thunder with a buzzer-beater to send the game to overtime.
The former Tasmania JackJumpers sharpshooter later drained a 3-pointer to seal the deal late in the extra period, proving just how valuable he can be for the Rockets on limited touches.
The Houston front office seems to have recognised it too, with McVeigh surviving the roster cuts and likely to remain on a two-way deal which will see him play for both the Rockets and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, their G League affiliate.
There is, however, still a chance that he could earn the final spot on their 15-man roster.
Unlike Reath and Thybulle, McVeigh isn’t the kind of player who needs big minutes to have an impact and could be a valuable shooting piece for Houston off the bench moving forward.
Pre-season stats lines
vs Thunder: 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3-4 FG, 1-2 3PT
vs Jazz: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT
JOCK LANDALE (Houston Rockets)
Like Reath, Landale finds himself as the third big on Houston’s roster behind Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams.
Early last season it honestly looked like Landale may not have even been in Houston this year, having struggled to make any real impact in his minutes as he worked his way back from an ankle injury.
However, Landale admitted at media day that mentally he was “in the gutter” and that his body “just wasn’t able to keep up with the level of play” early in the season.
“Mentally man I was in a gutter,” Landale said of his early season struggles.
“I was in a really bad spot. I was concerned about the ankle, I was concerned about where I was at with the contract and the body. There was a long list of things I wasn’t really able to pull myself out of. Luckily I have a great group of people around me… and they were helping me through all that.”
Fortunately for Landale he improved with time and when Sengun went down injured, Landale was thrust into a more prominent role down the stretch and thrived.
It means he returns to the Rockets for another year, although there is still a level of uncertainty surrounding his future beyond that point given the fact Landale’s contract is non-guaranteed next season.
Landale is a valuable piece for a Houston team looking to make the next step towards competing this season given he will be able to step in seamlessly again and take on bigger minutes if either Sengun or Adams, who is coming off a PCL injury, goes down.
Alternatively, both his situation and expiring contract could make him a potential trade candidate for a contending team looking to beef up its frontcourt rotation.
Pre-season stats lines
vs Thunder: 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT
Former King gets revenge with 26-points | 00:38
ALEX DUCAS (Oklahoma City Thunder)
The former Saint Mary’s guard signed a two-way contract with the Thunder after going undrafted and is likely to spend most of his time with the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the OKC Blue, given Oklahoma City has plenty of guard depth on its roster.
But Ducas did more than enough to remain on his two-way deal despite missing Summer League through injury, impressing in five preseason games.
His best effort came against the New Zealand Breakers, with Ducas scoring 15 points to go with four rebounds in a performance that drew praise from Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.
“We are still learning him,” Daigneault said of Ducas after the game.
“He’s got a fearlessness about him with how he shoots the ball. But he’s a complete game as well; he’s not just a shooter.
“He found a really good cut tonight. He is in the right spots defensively. He is really verbal and vocal.
“He has a great spirit to him inside the team so he has made a really good impression to start despite not playing Summer League. He was hurt during the Summer League, and I thought that set back his trajectory a little bit early and he has caught up nicely. He is doing a nice job.”
Pre-season stats lines
vs Hawks: 1 point, 3 rebounds, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT
vs Nuggets: 5 points, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2-4 FG, 1-3 3PT
vs Breakers: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 6-14 FG, 2-9 3PT
vs Rockets: 3 points, 1-2 FG, 1-1 3PT
vs Spurs: 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 2-7 FG, 1-4 3PT
LUKE TRAVERS (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Travers, who was drafted by the Cavaliers with the 56th overall pick two years ago, finally earned a two-way deal after a strong season with Melbourne United.
The 23-year-old guard rebounded well during the preseason and has the right kind of scrappy mentality that will win over coaches, although he’ll likely need to improve his shooting to earn any minutes in the NBA, should injuries open up an opportunity.
For the time being, Travers will likely start the season with Cleveland’s G League affiliate, the Charge.
Pre-season stats lines
vs Bulls: 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 0-1 FG
vs Pistons: 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steals, 2 turnovers
vs Pacers: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 3-8 FG, 0-3 3PT
vs Bulls: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2-4 FG
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