Mitch Creek seemed like a lock for the Boomers Team to play in the World Championships. He had improved in leaps and bounds over the last 12 months. He’d gone from the G League NBA where he said, “I’ve never had my shot blocked so much in my life,” to a starter in the same league, only 12 months later, averaging 15 points 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal and finishing ninth in offensive ranking (an estimate of how many points a player scores or assists on per 100 possessions)
He played in Europe, worked on his outside game and ball handling, scored a couple of ten day contracts in the NBA and made a roster (albeit briefly) to end the season. By all accounts, he trained hard, worked hard off the court, waved the towel at the appropriate moments and was welcomed by his new team mates with open arms. So what happened?
The Boomers team selected was as follows:
Guards: Matthew Dellavedova, Nathan Sobey, Patty Mills, Chris Goulding, Cam Gliddon
Forwards: Joe Ingles, Xavier Cooks, Jonah Bolden, Jock Landale, Nick Kay
Centres: Aron Baynes, Andrew Bogut
The Boomers play 7 games at the World Championships and a handful of practice games.
The narrative around social media (and echoed in Dan Boyce’s recent article “Why Mitch Creek’s Boomers omission was the right move for the Boomers” is usually “if someone gets injured…” We need to have back-ups!” It’s not a full season – injuries do happen – it’s part of the game but let’s be realistic – If Delly is on the bench, (he won’t spend much time there) Mills or even Ingles can run the point. I can’t imagine Sobey will get many minutes in that role. And Gliddon isn’t playing the point. Ever.
What about defensively? Could Sobey play that annoying defensive role? Which Creek could play – he’s listed at 196cm and 98kg. Sobey is listed at 190cm and 85kg. I know which one I would rather bring off the bench to attack opposing guards and forwards. And clearly Goulding, who struggles to defend anyone in the NBL isn’t going to be a defensive stalwart at this level. Gliddon is serviceable defensively, but doesn’t have the frame and aggression Creek has.
The other argument is that we don’t have enough three point shooting. Not true. We have plenty. Delly, Mills, Ingles, Cooks, Sobey (if required) even Bolden and Baynes can all shoot from distance. (I’m excluding Goulding and Gliddon at this point) Creek is a better three point shooter than he was a year ago and has been shooting from NBA distance.
Then I hear the, “what does it matter? It’s only a spot on the end of the bench.” Guess what – it matters to Creek and also to those other guys. Of course it matters.
Lemanis said, “We had lots of really good players and the reality is this is not an All-Star team, it’s a group of skill sets we are trying to fit together for the best outcome.”
So Creek is by definition an All Star and not possessing a skill set that compliments his team mates?
Honestly, I couldn’t think of anyone who plays as hard, supports his teammates and is an inspiration in the Green and Gold. His skill set compliments everyone out there. He can play at both ends. He’s a better defensive player than Goulding and Gliddon and has more size than Sobey. His passion and work ethic are two of the primary reasons he’s where he is right now.
Creeks omission was made by committee, Lemanis as Coach is the face of that committee. But who is part of the Selection Committee? Obviously the coaching staff and BA I’m guessing, but also the leadership group.
A lot has been said about unfinished business and as Lemanis said, “There is unfinished business from Rio, we haven’t medalled at an international event and there is certainly a mission to get that done.”
Creek wasn’t part of that team so does that put him on the outer for this group? Rumours abound that he wasn’t popular with the Leadership Group and rather than a quiet word they voted him off the island. Is he too much of an Alpha for the old guard? I’m looking forward to the first Kings v. Phoenix match up.
There are conspiracy theories re: Gliddon and Sobey both playing for the Bullets and getting a gig in the Boomers. Realistically, Lemanis sees them more often so they are always going to be in a better situation. He’s more aware of their strengths and weaknesses and their ability in his system. It’s not a good look though as social media has pointed out but as Lemanis coaches in the NBL, it’s unavoidable.
There is also a story out there that Creek missed the final team dinner and got some ink. I don’t know if that’s true but I also heard that happened when he knew he hadn’t been selected. Ideal? No, but not a reason for non-selection.
And if Creek is in – who misses out? I think Gliddon and NBL poster boy Goulding are the candidates. You can play with a poor offensive player – Damian Martin comes to mind – who can play defense, but it’s harder the other way around.
Goulding is a poor defender, he has been maligned for his defense in the NBL – he struggles to defend quicker guards and isn’t strong enough to defend the bigger, stronger guards. If he is a weak link at this level – the whole team will suffer.
I’d rather take Creek than either Gliddon, who I find robotic and inconsistent, or Goulding, who couldn’t defend his good name, and is not a fan favourite outside Melbourne. Creek is the everyman favourite, his tattoos, he works hard, and he’s the grit and grind that Aussies love. That’s one of the reasons that his non-selection has caused such a furore.
AT THE END OF THE DAY- its Lemanis’s team – he’s the Coach. The teams for the World Championships are far under what they have been in the past – Australia should, and will medal, so the whole selection process may be forgotten when the Boomers hop up on that podium. If they don’t win a medal, Creek’s non selection may still be an issue. Only time will tell.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
