Boomers Olympic Opposition Analysis: Argentina

Written for nbl.com.au by Tom Hersz

 

Australian Boomers v Argentina

When: 10.00pm (AEST), Tuesday 3 August

Where: Saitama Super Arena, Tokyo, Japan

Broadcast: 7 Network, 7+  

 

Well, after a tense wait Sunday night, we probably got the opponent we wanted if given a choice. But make no mistake; there are no easy games at this stage of the tournament. And while some are looking ahead to who the Boomers may play in the semi finals, the boys in green and gold will only have one opponent on their minds.

Argentina appears an easier matchup on paper. They finished group play with just one win against Japan and a net points differential of minus-8, which ranked them as the second lowest qualifying team. So by that token, it is favourable for the Boomers.

However, this team is not to be taken lightly. Forgetting that we needed some Patty Mills magic to defeat them in the warm-up game in Las Vegas last month, this is also a team that took silver in China at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Last time the Boomers faced Argentina..<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBoomers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoBoomers</a> <a href="https://t.co/iaaj3qS3zv">pic.twitter.com/iaaj3qS3zv</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1421795606670974981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


The Boomers come into this game in great form however and are a very different team from the one who played Argentina in Las Vegas. Having finished Group B play at 3-0, this is the first time in Olympic history that a Boomers team has advanced past the group phase undefeated.

They have improved in each game as this tournament has progressed and while they’re still adjusting to the loss of Aron Baynes, there were a lot of positives to be taken from their win over Germany on Saturday.

Firstly, they took care of the ball with only six turnovers for the entire game. That will be really important to have as many opportunities as possible to apply scoreboard pressure against Argentina. Secondly, their defence was elite. They played the passing lanes beautifully, leading to a whopping 13 steals and also did a number on Maodo Lô, who was held to just six points on 2/12 shooting after coming into this game averaging 18.5 points per game.

Finally, and possibly as important as anything, was that every player scored, aside from Josh Green who played just 1:14. There were contributions across the board and while Mills again led the way, he was well supported by Landale, Kay and Exum.

The Argentines, ranked fourth by FIBA coming into Tokyo, have not had an easy time of it so far. With 10 players from the silver medal winning team in China returning for this campaign, they had not been able to dictate the flow or pace of their games until their win over Japan.

Slovenia outshot them and outscored them 118-100 in a high-scoring affair behind Luka Doncic’s 48-point masterclass in their opener. Then against Spain, it became a slug-fest after quarter time with Spain taking control, slowing it down and then holding on for an 81-71 win.

Even against Japan, it was close at half-time and early in the third quarter, before they broke the game open and ran away comfortable winners, 97-77. They like to play up and down the court and shoot early in the shot clock. They win by outscoring their opponents, more so than with defence, so that will be another reason why the defence of the Boomers is so important.

These two teams last faced each other at a major FIBA tournament at the 2010 World Championships in Turkey. In the second group phase game, Argentina defeated Australia 74-72 behind who else but Luis Scola. Scola was the leading scorer at that tournament with 27.1 points per game. But he is the only holdover from that golden era of Argentine basketball.

Manu Ginobili, Carlos Delfino, Fabricio Oberto and Pablo Prigioni are long gone and a new era has emerged.

Who are the players to watch, who are their X-factors, and what will the Boomers need to focus on to advance to the medal round?

 

Players to Watch - Argentina

Luis Scola: If ever a player should be compared to fine wine, it’s Scola. He simply ages beautifully and watching him play today is no less enjoyable than watching him a decade ago.

Now 41 years old, Scola’s days in the NBA have long passed – he last played for Brooklyn in the 2016/17 season – but he is still one of the elite players in FIBA International play and in Europe. He’s coming off a season with Varese in Italy’s Lega A where he averaged 17.8 points and 6.7 rebounds.

Currently ranked sixth in Tokyo 2020 in scoring at 19.7 points per game, Scola’s form – which helped carry his team to that silver in 2019 – is still scintillating. He is shooting 50 per cent from the field, 43.8 per cent from three-point range and also averaging 5.3 rebounds. He recently moved into fourth place on the all-time Olympics scoring list.

His low-post game is elite, driven by his footwork and ability to finish with both hands. He still dives well on pick and rolls. His face-up game has to be respected and if you lose him on pick and pops or transition trails, he will punish you from the three-point line. Here he is on Sunday, carving up Japan who had no answer for him. Scola finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Eterno Luis Scola <a href="https://t.co/5DEydkalBd">pic.twitter.com/5DEydkalBd</a></p>&mdash; Hirukoa (@hirukoa80) <a href="https://twitter.com/hirukoa80/status/1421722284189011968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


For a 41-year-old, he is still very mobile, runs the floor well and also has some of that old-man strength. In short, he’s a load to handle and it will be very important for Nick Kay and Jock Landale to play him straight up, contest every shot and the Boomers may want to consider throwing a double at him on occasion to keep him guessing.

He’s never been a great passer, so is not going to suddenly start creating for others. What is most important is trying to limit his touches, respect his offensive arsenal when he has the ball and then contest or try to get the ball out of his hands. If Scola gets going, it could be a long night for the Boomers defensively.

 

Facundo Campazzo: After years of dominating in Europe, Campazzo finally came across to the NBA this past season. Joining the Denver Nuggets as their third string point guard, he played sparingly early in the season and bided his time until he had a chance to contribute.

Once Jamal Murray was lost for the season with a torn ACL, Campazzo became a regular rotation player and a part-time starter. In all, he started 19 games averaging 6.1 points, 3.6 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 35.2 per cent from long range. As a starter, his numbers increased to 9.6 points, 5.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals, showing his value.

At 30 years of age, Campazzo is a seasoned veteran both professionally and in FIBA play for Argentina. It’s showing here in Tokyo as he ranks 13th in scoring (16ppg), tied for fourth in assists (6apg) and tied for second in steals (2spg). He’s not shooting the lights out at 40.5 per cent from the field and 36 per cent from three-point range, but he is finding ways to score the ball and support Scola with that load.

Against Japan on Sunday, his full offensive skillset was on display with 17 points (5/9 from three), 11 assists and seven rebounds.

Campazzo is small. At just 5’10, he is one of the shorter point guards going around in this tournament, but he lacks for nothing in terms of how he uses that his advantage. Adept at dribble penetration and probing through traffic, he can drive by defenders, force the help to come and then find open teammates. He is also strong and knows how to create space when one out against a defender to get his shot off.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Campazzo scoring and distributing!<br><br>28-18 <a href="https://twitter.com/nuggets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nuggets</a> lead on NBA TV. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> <a href="https://t.co/3SU3nxPuMt">pic.twitter.com/3SU3nxPuMt</a></p>&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1399900681578946563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


It is important then to give him a little extra distance (i.e. not close out too sharply) and as a defender, use your length or height advantage to make him shoot over you if he’s not going to try to drive by. Matthew Dellavedova will start on him and use his height advantage in that manner, and I’d expect we’ll see Dante Exum and Nathan Sobey rotate onto him at times too.

Campazzo is also a tenacious defender himself. He has active hands, uses his strength to body up his opponents and get steals. He will undoubtedly spend time on Patty Mills, who will be somewhat familiar with him from this season in the NBA, but it may force Mills to put the ball on the floor less and be more of a catch and shoot guy in this game.

Campazzo can control a game with his basketball IQ and change of pace, so it will be important to keep in front of him and force him into contested shots or to give the ball up early.

 

Nicolás Laprovittola: Once a hot commodity in Europe, Laprovittola had a cup of coffee in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs for the 2016/17 season, before returning to Europe the following season.

And while his form has never reached his pre-NBA heights since he returned, he is still a respected Euroleague veteran (31 years old), with many facets to his game.

Standing 6’4, he is a natural point guard, but starts at the two spot for Argentina alongside Campazzo. Laprovittola gives them another ballhandler and creator which makes this backcourt dangerous.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBbasket</a> fans, this is what you can expect from <a href="https://twitter.com/nicolapro7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nicolapro7</a> ?<br><br>Check out his highlights from last season! <a href="https://t.co/wVuM9V1IFO">pic.twitter.com/wVuM9V1IFO</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1420427225392893959?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


He’s their third leading scorer at 13 points per game and is hitting 85.7 per cent of his two-point attempts, while struggling from long range at just 5/19 (26.3 per cent) for the tournament. Still, he’s not reliant on his three-ball to score as, like Campazzo, he’s able to dribble penetrate and either create shots at the rim, get to the free-throw line (12/15 FTs in three games) or create for his teammates (four assists per game).

He is a little turnover prone though, averaging 3.7 per game in Tokyo, so ball pressure is one way to limit his impact, but he typically reads the defence well and knows where the gaps can be found. Against a zone, watch for his cross-court skip passes which tend to find wide open shooters in the opposite corner. The Boomers haven’t shown much zone in Tokyo and I don’t expect that to change against this Argentine team who is loaded with shooters.

Still Laprovittola is more than just a skilled offensive player. He has solid length and uses it to his advantage defensively to put pressure on the ball or skip passing lanes. He’s averaging 1.3 steals per game in Tokyo and has always shown a propensity for that facet of the game as a professional.

Laprovittola is unlikely to be the one to beat the Boomers on his own, but he did have 27 points against Spain (9/14 FG, 5/9 3FG) so has to be respected. Coming off an 0/8 performance against Japan, he’s likely due to hit some shots too.

 

Gabriel Deck: Another name you may be familiar with is Deck. He moved over to the Oklahoma City Thunder late last season at the age of 25, where he played in 10 games and gave NBA fans a glimmer of what he can do.

Deck signed a four-year deal, although only the first year was guaranteed so it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be teaming up with Josh Giddey this coming season or not. Having said that, Deck wore No. 6 for OKC last season and is the reason Giddey had to go with No. 3 as a rookie, so it seems like he’ll have a good shot to be there again.

In any event, wearing No. 14 in Tokyo, Deck has been a strong contributor off the bench for head coach Sergio Hernandez. He struggled against Spain (2 points, 1/8 FG), but had 17 points, eight boards and a steal against Slovenia and then 16 points (7/10 FG), four boards and three assists against Japan.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Deck cookin&#39; his man ?<a href="https://twitter.com/ToBrad1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ToBrad1</a> ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/gabriel_deck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gabriel_deck</a> <a href="https://t.co/TDa4t4KBon">pic.twitter.com/TDa4t4KBon</a></p>&mdash; OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) <a href="https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1392326149464891392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


All in all, he’s averaging 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1 steal in 26.2 minutes off the bench. He’s not firing from the three-point line, going just 2/11 overall so far but he has been a solid shooter historically in Europe, shooting 36.5 per cent from deep with Real Madrid before heading to Oklahoma City.

In 10 games for the Thunder, he played 21 minutes and averaged 8.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.8 steals while hitting 47.8 per cent from the field and 81.8 cent on free throws.

He has a quick first step, a solid handle and is a willing passer, so is certainly capable of beating opponents off the dribble in a variety of ways. He can shoot the mid-range and can get to the rim. Deck will certainly draw the attention of Matisse Thybulle at times and he will need to be a focus for our help defence and rotations, to limit his impact.

 

The X-Factors

Luca Vildoza: A young, up and coming talent, Vildoza has been playing professionally in Spain’s ACB and in the Euroleague with Baskonia, but signed a multi-year deal with the New York Knicks in May. It’s non-guaranteed, but word is he’ll be joining them for Summer League right after Tokyo and is someone they hope will make their roster for the 2021/22 season.

In Tokyo, Vildoza comes off the bench where he’s had mixed success as a back-up point guard who can step across to the two spot alongside Campazzo at times.

Vildoza has struggled with his shot so far in Tokyo, hitting just 2/12 from downtown, but he did shoot nearly 39 per cent in Euroleague this past season and 37.6 per cent overall for Baskonia so can get hot.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">???? ¡El mejor tango en los <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/500GamesBKN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#500GamesBKN</a>!<br><br>???<a href="https://twitter.com/LucaVildoza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LucaVildoza</a> ??<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoazenBaskonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoazenBaskonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/RywMUz7jPx">pic.twitter.com/RywMUz7jPx</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1342546402371653634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


His primary role though is as a playmaker. He had five assists against Slovenia in their opening game and another four assists against Japan. He controls the ball well (just one turnover in three games) and has active hands defensively.

Vildoza will get hot if given enough daylight and if you close out too hard, he can drive by and create for others, so it will be important to stay in front of him and force him into contested shots or make him pass early by putting some ball pressure on him.

 

Leandro Bolmaro: Every team has at least one up and coming young star and Bolmaro is that for Argentina. Drafted at pick 23 in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, a draft night trade saw his rights dealt to Minnesota.

Bolmaro, who was playing for FC Barcelona pre-draft, stayed in Barcelona this past season to continue to develop his game. He showed flashes in ACB play, but struggled in Euroleague averaging less than three points per game in just under 10 minutes on a stacked roster. He shot over 40 per cent from deep this past season and also played aggressive on-ball defence as Barça captured the Liga ACB title and the Spanish Cup.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">? ¡Qué defensa en 1x1!<br>? ¡Qué manera de enchufar! <a href="https://twitter.com/BolmaroLeandro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BolmaroLeandro</a> domina en ambos lados de la pista<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PlayoffLigaEndesa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PlayoffLigaEndesa</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBbasket</a> <a href="https://t.co/FSjHmOXXAK">pic.twitter.com/FSjHmOXXAK</a></p>&mdash; Liga Endesa (@ACBCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACBCOM/status/1402236213730299911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


He is still weighing up whether he will join the Timberwolves for the 2021/22 NBA season or stay in Europe, saying recently: “I don’t know, really. I’ll wait to finish this tournament, then I’ll decide. But I’m very excited to have this opportunity.’’

He then added: “I appreciate the confidence they have shown in me, so I am really happy for that. But I’m in the tournament and when we finish, I will take that decision.”

This Olympic campaign is his first major tournament with the Open Men’s team, but he has considerable junior experience at FIBA level. However, his lack of experience has resulted in a small role off the bench for Coach Hernandez.

Bolmaro is averaging just 9.8 minutes per game for 2.7 points, but he has been efficient when given time, going 4/8 overall from the field. He also had three steals against Japan showing how his 6'7 frame can have an impact defensively on the wing.

Whilst unlikely that he’ll play a big role in an elimination game, the minutes he’s been given to date are in readiness for these knockout rounds and he clearly has the talent to have a moment or two, so cannot be overlooked.

 

Boomers Keys to the Game

Throw away the game from Las Vegas. It’s not going to tell us much as both teams were in the early stages of their preparations for Tokyo. This is especially true for the Boomers with seven first-time Olympians and four new players from the 2019 China team. Instead, let’s focus on what we’ve seen in Tokyo.

The Argentines, who are not an overly tall team, rely on pace, spacing and shooting to outscore their opponents. They like to push the ball in transition and get quick hitters to catch their opponents’ defence off-guard.

They rank third in the tournament in points per game at 89.3, just ahead of the Boomers at 86.3 and shoot a similar clip as well (44.4 per cent vs 45.0 per cent for Australia). And while they rank fourth in three-point attempts in Tokyo, they have hit just 29.9 per cent from deep, which puts them dead last of the twelve teams. The Boomers rank fourth at 37.9 per ent.

Their tallest players are 6’9, meaning the likes of Jock Landale and Nick Kay should be able to have a big impact again, both offensively and hopefully on the boards. Argentina has very little rim protection, having blocked just five shots in the tournament. This is a plus as Landale and Kay have both been in great form covering for the loss of Aron Baynes.

It also means we can go to some of those smaller line-ups we’ve seen Brian Goorjian use with Ingles at the four or with three guards at times.

However, we saw the Boomers struggle to control their defensive boards against Germany which is an area of concern and Argentina are effective on the boards despite their lack of size. They have some athletic wings and their guards do a good job of boxing out (Campazzo is their third leading rebounder), so it will important for the Boomers to make sure they limit those second chance opportunities.

The pace of the game will also be important. While we all enjoy a Thybulle breakaway dunk or a Mills lead pass to Jock Landale, for the most part we’re more effective in the half-court. If we get into a running match with Argentina, that plays into their hands, so it will be important not to get carried away trying to go up and down against them.

Of course, if we can’t slow down Luis Scola and Facundo Campazzo, it could be a long game. Those two have tremendous chemistry, play a wonderful two-man game, whether in high pick and roll or working from Scola in the post. They’re also dangerous in horns sets where Scola likes to pop out to the three-point line.

By contrast, the Boomers’ offence has been more effective when the ball moves; when it zips from side to side and they force the defence to shift. This Argentine team will get some steals when pressuring the ball but aren’t necessarily the most effective defensively in the half-court. And while we’re still looking for Mills on a lot of our actions, there has been a lot of opportunity for others to score and guys like Landale, Kay, Ingles and at times Exum, have taken advantage of that.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Body on the line in the green and gold. Business as usual for Patty Mills.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tokyo2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tokyo2020</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7Olympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7Olympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/jCTYCjAm5U">pic.twitter.com/jCTYCjAm5U</a></p>&mdash; 7Olympics (@7olympics) <a href="https://twitter.com/7olympics/status/1421395178372358150?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Defensively is actually where the Boomers have an advantage as our defence has been very strong. Argentina tends to turn the ball over a little more than we do, and we saw what kind of impact we can have when we play smart team defence against Germany as we forced them into 18 turnovers. We will need to do similar against this team so we control the possession game and then allow our half-court offence to dictate how this game gets played out.