Goorjian edge as sharp as ever

There is something of a changing of the guard occurring within the Australian Boomers camp. Mainstay guard Matthew Dellavedova has joined Aron Baynes on the sidelines for the upcoming FIBA World Cup, while young stars like Josh Giddey and Josh Green have started preparations to carry the torch on from the rose gold generation.

One recent constant in the Boomers side though, has been head coach Brian Goorjian. The six-time NBL champion coach re-took control of the national side three years ago and is preparing to take it to another medal.

The California-born Aussie basketball legend won his first NBL title as head coach of the South East Melbourne Magic in 1992 with a side that contained NBL icons Bruce Bolden, John Dorge, Tony Robertson, Scott Ninnis and Robert Rose, and Boomers forward Nick Kay says that even three decades on from that initial triumph, Goorjian is still the best in the business.

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“He might be 70, but I don’t think he’s lost an edge at all,” Kay told SEN. “He gets after you on the defensive end and the standards he holds for us as a group haven’t dropped one bit.

“We know it’s going to be a tough road ahead but he’s definitely keeping us on point.

“There’s a good balance between some of the guys who have been around a while and also some new, fresh faces. It’s just incorporating everyone into the group.

“When you have good guys who want to play and represent their countries it makes everything a lot easier, and when you’ve got guys like Josh Giddey able to bring the ball up the floor and create for others it makes guys’ jobs a little easier.

“It’s not just on him, everyone’s got to step up and play well but it’s going to be a fun style. When you’ve got Goorj coaching you’ve got to get after it defensively as well.”

A minor injury to centre Jock Landale means the Boomers will enter their pre-tournament ‘Boomers vs World’ campaign largely undersized – with Duop Reath being the only natural centre in the group.

Kay himself pinch-hit at the centre position in the Boomers’ Olympic bronze medal triumph, while Xavier Cooks has also shown a capability to play largely under the rim if needed.

The two-time NBL champion forward believes what the squad may lack in size at the centre position, they make up for in size across the rest of the court.

“When you lose a guy like Aron Baynes and, even before that, Bogut – these are big guys who have a huge presence on the court,” Kay said.

“We’re probably a little bit bigger through the other spots so everyone’s going to have to play a little bit bigger and help out on the boards.

“Our style of play is very up and down. We get after it, we rotate, and we help each other.”

The Boomers vs World campaign tips off on Monday night at 5:30pm AEST.