Australia’s respectable 98-92 loss to Team USA has provided the Boomers “a great stepping stone” ahead of the Paris Olympics – but there’s plenty of room for improvement.

A late blitz from the Tokyo Games bronze medallists gave the Americans an almighty scare during Tuesday morning’s Olympic warm-up at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, with USA coach Steve Kerr commending the Boomers after the six-point win.

“They were great. They fought, they were really physical,” said Kerr, who tinkered with his team’s starting line-up and rotations.

“They took it to us in the last quarter and a half and really made it a game.”

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Australia’s Jock Landale showed why he was so sorely missed during last year’s FIBA World Cup, leading the charge with 20 points and seven offensive rebounds, while Chicago Bulls recruit Josh Giddey contributed 17 points.

“The fact we were six points off a team like that at this part of our preparation for the Olympics is a great stepping stone and we’ve got so many things to clean up in there,” Giddey said.

“We’re building really good momentum going forward.”

However, Australian basketball champion Andrew Bogut claimed the result flattered the Boomers, who at one stage were trailing by 23 points in the third quarter.

“Australia really wasn’t in the game for most of this … it wasn’t really close throughout that game,” Bogut told the Gold Standard podcast on Tuesday.

“But I don’t think that’s important. This result isn’t as important as getting through rotations, trying different things and making sure we have no injuries.”

Bogut also questioned Australia’s lack of outside shooting, pondering who the Boomers can turn to for knocking down three-pointers.

“(Boomers coach Brian) Goorjian’s biggest concern is when we are playing and flowing well, who’s going to knock down long-range shots for us?” Bogut continued.

“(Jack) McVeigh comes into that. He had nine points tonight … didn’t make a three, but was aggressive. You’ve got to look to him to knock down those threes for them.

“They’re a different look with him on the floor because I think he brings something a little bit different to Nick Kay.”

The most glaring weakest link in Australia’s team, according to Bogut, remains Boomers veteran Patty Mills.

The 35-year-old, about to embark on his fifth Olympic campaign, was 1-for-5 from deep and 2-for-8 from the field while conceding five turnovers against Team USA. The Boomers were -16 during his 22 minutes on the floor.

Mills also looked off the pace against China earlier this month, with Bogut calling for Goorjian to bite the bullet and start Mills on the bench.

“Patty wasn’t great tonight,” Bogut continued.

“There is concerns obviously looking at the way he’s playing, but that’s been a story for him in lead-up games for tournaments, then he has a great tournament.

“They’re going to need more from him.”

Former NBL star Brad Newley agreed: “There’s something to look at with Dante (Exum). I enjoyed his impact.

“Do we start with him and maybe bring Pat off the bench as more of a pinch-hitter? That could be something worth looking at.”

ESPN’s Olgun Uluc meanwhile wrote on X: “Patty Mills was 2/8 FG, and a -16 with 5 TOV. A role reduction seems the obvious outcome here. No reason not to give (Josh) Green the bulk of those minutes.”

Neroli Meadows said “+/- doesn’t tell the full story obviously, but sometimes it backs up what the naked eye sees … changing of the guard?”

However, Bogut warned against reading too much into Tuesday’s game against Team USA, declaring that Australia’s upcoming match against Serbia would be more relevant for the Boomers’ Olympic preparation.

“Serbia’s going to grind you out,” Bogut explained.

“They’re going to play half-court battle, the high-low game at times.

“It’s much more of a similar style to 80 per cent of teams you’re going to play in the Olympics.

“I look forward to seeing how we react to having to grind out possessions.”

The Boomers’ final warm-up game against Serbia gets underway on Wednesday morning at 2am AEST.