Melbourne to host showdowns between NBA stars from USA and Boomers

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This was published 6 years ago

Melbourne to host showdowns between NBA stars from USA and Boomers

By Roy Ward

Melbourne will host two games between Team USA and the Australian Boomers at Etihad Stadium next August.

Basketball Australia and USA Basketball announced the games on Sunday, in what will be the centrepiece of 2019 FIBA World Cup preparations ahead of the tournmaent held in China from August 31 to September 15.

The Boomers expect to have as many of their NBA players available as possible led by Ben Simmons and Patty Mills, while Team USA’s roster remains uncertain with superstars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant missing the last World Cup in Turkey in 2014 leaving then emerging stars James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry to lead their nation to the title.

Stephen Curry and Lebron James will likely play in Australia.

Stephen Curry and Lebron James will likely play in Australia. Credit: AP

But China is an enormous market for superstars like James, Curry and Harden so there remains hope the USA will have their strongest team. San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will coach the national team for the first time at the World Cup which further adds to the possibility of the superstars playing, especially James.

The matches are listed for August 22 and 24 at Etihad Stadium.

Welcoming Team USA is another step towards bringing an NBA game to Australia and in some respects will involve more star talent than any possible NBA match-up should both nations have full strength rosters.

It will also be a test of whether Etihad Stadium is an acceptable venue for basketball games and whether fans on the second and third levels will be able to see enough of the action to justify attending.

Ben Simmons will likely lead Australia.

Ben Simmons will likely lead Australia. Credit: AP

The game is also the culmination of lobbying from Australia’s NBA stars, BA and NBL boss Larry Kestelman and his league after they spearheaded the NBA Basketball Without Borders Camp in Victoria in 2016.

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USA Basketball chief executive Jim Tooley said the eyes of the world would be on the two games heading into the world cup.

“I’d like to express our thanks to Basketball Australia and Victorian premier Daniel Andrews for all their help in making these exciting exhibition games a reality,” Tooley said.

“Prior to the basketball world’s attention being focused on the 2019 FIBA World Cup, the USA-Australia exhibitions will be an opportunity for basketball fans worldwide to see two of FIBA’s top teams compete.

“These games will not only be important in the USA’s World Cup preparations, but they renew a special international basketball rivalry.

“The USA-Australia game at the 2016 Rio Olympics was intense, passionate and a very competitive game that came down to the final minutes.

“We expect these friendlies in 2019 will again showcase international basketball at its highest level and offer sports fans a very memorable event.”

BA chief executive Anthony Moore thanked the Victorian government for their support.

“It is a momentous partnership between two leading national federations and shows the level of respect that Australian basketball now commands on the world stage,” Moore said.

Fans who sign up for early ticket information at www.teglive.com.au and it’s expected that tickets for the two games will go on sale in July.

Potential Team USA roster for 2019 FIBA World Cup 

PG: Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook

SG: James Harden, Klay Thompson, Donovan Mitchell

SF: LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant

PF: Anthony Davis, LaMarcus Aldridge

C: Andre Drummond.

Potential Australian Boomers roster for 2019 FIBA World Cup

PG: Ben Simmons, Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum

SG: Chris Goulding, Ryan Broekhoff

SF: Joe Ingles, Mitch Creek

PF: Thon Maker, Mangok Mathiang

C: Aron Baynes, Andrew Bogut

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