There has never been an NBA season where more Australians will start with important roles for their teams.
Australian legend Andrew Gaze still marvels at the thought that there will be 11 Aussies starting the NBA season when the American league tips off on Wednesday (AEDT).
Australian NBA players Jock Landale, Patty Mills, Josh Giddey, Ben Simmons and Josh Green ahead of the 2023-2024 season.Credit: AP, Getty Images
“It’s testament to the quality of basketball we play here and the players we produce,” Gaze said.
“There will be some significant contributors as well, and the heart-warming part of this is that it reflects the standards of our development pathways and the opportunities we have here in Australia.”
At the Oklahoma City Thunder, Josh Giddey opens the season as chief playmaker on a young team ready to push towards the playoffs. On a personal note, he might also be moving towards a contract extension of $US200 million ($316 million) or beyond, depending on how much the league’s salary cap grows.
Ben Simmons looks like he has overcome his back issues and his mental health problems after showing promising signs in preseason with the Brooklyn Nets while Josh Green and Dante Exum are primed to fill important support roles alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving at the Dallas Mavericks.
Houston centre Jock Landale.Credit: Getty Images
In Houston, centre Jock Landale looks every chance to play important minutes after joining the Rockets while Joe Ingles will have the job of mentoring a young Orlando Magic side, hoping to ride Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero back into the playoffs.
Patty Mills has landed with the Atlanta Hawks, who want him to set an example as they try to build into a winning team. Mills’ expiring contract was moved multiple times this off-season, and it’s still possible he might move again, but he’s a Hawk for now.
Dyson Daniels is aiming to move up the guard rotation at the New Orleans Pelicans, who just picked up his contract option for next season, while Xavier Cooks shapes as an energy player at the Washington Wizards.
In Portland, Matisse Thybulle could be helpful for the young Trail Blazers, while Jack White will bring his rebounding and defence to Giddey’s Thunder.
New Orleans guard Dyson Daniels.Credit: AP
Boomers centre Duop Reath was also with Portland, but was waived on Sunday. He could still play for their G-League side in hope of earning a call-up later on.
Paris 2024 will also hang over this season, with Australia already qualified and Boomers coach Brian Goorjian hoping all his stars remain fit and ready to head into camp after the season.
Giddey by name, but cool-headed by nature
Giddey’s stellar rise in the NBA and the inevitable pressure of his contract extension will surely weigh on the 21-year-old Victorian, who led the Boomers in scoring at the FIBA World Cup this off-season and shapes as a star player at Paris 2024.
Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddey.Credit: The Canadian Press via AP
Gaze played much of his NBL career alongside Giddey’s father Warrick at the Melbourne Tigers and has known the talented youngster his whole life, and says there are no concerns about Josh losing his way.
“Josh is a basketball junkie, and he loves it and loves competing,” Gaze said.
“Because he has that real joy and love for the game, I think he will be able to separate that, whereas others might struggle with it.
“Whether it is $(US)205 million or $150 million, I think he would realise he is going to be very well looked after.
“He’s not the sort of guy to get caught up in the ego of it or get fixated on the numbers. He’ll be grateful for what he gets and continue to grow as a player.”
With MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, big man Chet Holmgren, forward Jalen Williams and defensive ace Lu Dort, the young Thunder have been compared to the Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden team which last took the franchise to the NBA Finals in 2012.
Giddey aims to attack the basket more this season and shoot more free throws, his three-point shot has also improved.
“I’m not going to come out blazing away to show I’ve been working on it or change perceptions,” Giddey said at Thunder media day. “I [haven’t] turned into Steph Curry in the last four months.”
Brooklyn star Ben Simmons.Credit: AP
Simmons puts back issues behind him
Aussie and Nets fans will be beaming at the sight of Simmons slamming down dunks and throwing wild passes during preseason.
He had a few turnovers as well, but he looks to have moved past the back and mental health issues that left him forlornly sitting on the bench last season.
“It’s not just what he is doing on the floor; his whole body language, he looks like he is having fun, engaging with fans and has a smile on his face,” Gaze said.
“He looks healthy, content and at peace with being out there.
“Beyond what he has done physically, he looks like he is in a good headspace and that all sets him up for a big season.”
‘Be where your feet are’: Mills
Patty Mills went through a whirlwind off-season, or at least his expiring contract did, as he passed through four teams in 10 days in July.
Patty Mills in his new Atlanta colours.Credit: Getty Images
He starts his 15th NBA season with the Atlanta Hawks where coach Quin Snyder hopes his experience will fast-track the young side’s growth.
But teams love trading for expiring deals, so there is no guarantee Mills won’t be moved again.
“A strong motto for me is ‘be where your feet are’,” Mills told media in Atlanta. “It’s being present, understanding you have to make the most of the opportunities in front of you and being in Atlanta is an opportunity I’m thoroughly excited about.”
Dallas guard Dante Exum.Credit: Getty Images
Dante’s career is yet to peak
When Exum headed to Barcelona in 2021, many thought his NBA career could be over.
But the Australian guard used his two-and-a-half years in Europe to rebuild his game and recover from injuries and trades that had dented his confidence. Boomers campaigns at the Tokyo Olympics and the World Cup earlier this year have since cemented him as a world-class defender and playmaker.
The performances saw Dallas sign Exum to support their superstars, and it looks like a role he could thrive in.
“It was great to see him back playing at a high level, ripping down dunks – massive dunks – and showing what he could do,” Australian great David Andersen said.
“To get an opportunity to go back, I think he will go well. I think he got that passion back in Europe, as you can lose it in the NBA when you don’t get opportunities and it starts to become a business.
“You can lose your mojo a little, hopefully, he can go on and have a great time in Dallas.”
Fellow Aussie Green looks set to start as a forward for the Mavs after scoring 22 points in their last preseason game.
Former NBL Next Star LaMelo Ball, now with the Charlotte Hornets.Credit: AP
LaMelo plays ball with other NBL alumni
While the likes of Giddey, Landale and Ingles all spent time in Australia’s domestic competition, there are also has six non-Australian members of the NBL alumni playing in NBA teams.
Portland rookie Rayan Rupert.Credit: Getty Images
Those players comprise past Next Stars, including Charlotte All-Star LaMelo Ball, RJ Hampton and Ousmane Dieng along with former imports Torrey Craig and Jae’Sean Tate.
Portland signed French wing Rayan Rupert, a Next Star who impressed with New Zealand Breakers last season, and Gaze admits he often checks in on the progress of Craig, Ball and others who’ve played here in Australia.
Andersen now works with the NBL in special projects and player liaison, including helping Next Stars players adjust to the league.
He said the ongoing connection to the NBL was a huge drawcard for the league.
Andersen played one of his last professional seasons alongside Ball at the Illawarra Hawks.
“I call them NBL alumni, these guys have put their footprint down in our league and gone onto better and better things,” Andersen said.
“It’s what the NBL wanted; to help them become bigger and better things.
“I shake my head at what LaMelo is doing and I’m proud of that and what they are (all) doing.“
So, now for some predictions
The Milwaukee Bucks, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, will go pretty close to taking out the Eastern Conference, but the Boston Celtics have Jrue Holiday joining Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, so they should be a serious challenger.
San Antonio rookie Victor Wembanyama.Credit: Getty Images
In the Western Conference, the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, and the Phoenix Suns with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, start as the favourites.
It would also be foolhardy to rule out the possibility of a title run from LeBron James’ LA Lakers, or Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors.
Both teams have their flaws, but both superstars will keep their sides in contention.
The MVP race could get a little crowded, but the most likely candidates will be Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Antetokounmpo, James and Curry. Two players who have the potential of rising to that level are Tatum and Gilgeous-Alexander.
Giddey and Green are the two Aussies in a big field who could press for the Most Improved Player award by taking their games to a new level.
The 224-centimetre rookie centre Victor Wembenyama already produced a host of jaw-dropping highlights in the preseason.
But he won’t have the Rookie of the Year award to himself because Chet Holmgren (OKC Thunder), Scoot Henderson (Portland) and the Thompson twins Amen (Houston) and Ausar (Detroit) will all win plenty of support.
There will also be some classic jerseys to look for this season.
Orlando will revive their blue star-filled jersey from 1998, Charlotte will briong back their timeless teal pin-stripes jersey from the 1990s and Minnesota’s white Wolves jersey reminiscent of the early 1990s/Luc Longley era will be warmly received by nostalgic basketball fans.
ESPN will show a number of live games each week while fans can watch every game of the NBA season on NBA League Pass which starts at $154.99 via the NBA website and app.
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