
Australia reacts to Dellavedova domination
The Boomers have got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 108-92 win over Canada as Matthew Dellavedova exploded with 24 points on some high quality shooting.
Australia had to show plenty of heart to pull off the win though as Canada came roaring back in the third quarter with 37 points in the term to go from being down 52-40 at halftime to leading 77-76.
The Boomers rallied in the last term to blow the Canadians out in an important win for their for and against but it was Dellavedova's shooting and Joe Ingles' 10 assists that had the commentators and fans talking.
Dellavedova has done plenty of work on his shot since the end of the last NBA season and it seems his rejigged style is paying dividends as he let it fly with confidence and ease from three-point territory, making six of 10 from deep.
"He didn't seem to miss ever, he was just extraordinary," said the lead commentator.
And he was joined in the praise of Delly by former Boomers great Shane Heal among others.
Yes Delly! Joey looking great off the PR. Boys looking good in crunch time!💪🏻🍻
— Shane Heal (@ShaneHeal) September 1, 2019
Well done Boomers.
— Mark Worthington (@Wortho33) September 1, 2019
Great response
Delly on 🔥
Joe controlled tempo of the game.
Big first up win against a dangerous and well coached Canadian team. #GoBoomers #FIBAWC
@Joeingles7 basketball IQ is amazing and to all those muppets who have been questioning Delly’s performance must have their eyes painted on. Delly got Australia out of jail with a stunning game at both ends of the floor. #boomerscanada
— Tim Morrissey (@timmorrissey) September 1, 2019
Hugeeeeee start of the 4th! Delly and Slow Mo huge
— Scott Pendlebury (@SP_10) September 1, 2019
Sensational performance from the Boomers. Tested in the third quarter, but found another gear when needed. Delly, Ingles outstanding #FIBAWorldCup #FIBAWC2019
— Lee Gaskin (@Lee_Gaskin1) September 1, 2019
Dellavedova even had the Aussie fans in attendance cheering his name.
But it wasn't a one man show, he received plenty of back-up in a good team performance from the Australians as Ingles had a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists, Chris Goulding scored 16 points and both Andrew Bogut and Aron Baynes were impressive in the paint, pulling down plenty of boards and blocking some shots.
Bogut got plenty of boos from the local crowd due to his social media commentary about the feud between Mack Horton and Chinese star Sun Yang, that engulfed the recent swimming world champs in South Korea.
Bogut cheekily sent a welcome message to his "Chinese fans" when the team left Australia - and they were out in force to do give him a not so warm welcome to China.
Amid the jeers, Goulding did the early moving, dropping seven points on perfect shooting in the first quarter.
The Boomers shot at 64 per cent from the field in that term, with Goulding's late triple giving them a 29-20 lead at the first break.
That was a margin they slowly increased in the second term with points coming through Mills and Jock Landale, while Bogut copped another verbal serve as he finished a one-handed alley-oop.
The Boomers were able to absorb Canada's best hit, producing crucial stops early in the fourth quarter before Dellavedova shot Australia to a hard-earned win.
Khem Birch led Canada with 18 points, but it wasn't enough as NBA-winning coach Nick Nurse's team fell in their first game of the tournament.
Australian fans got the chant out for Delly. pic.twitter.com/V25VJj2bQi
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) September 1, 2019
PRESS RED FOR CANADIAN COMMENTARY
While Dellavedova and the Boomers were one talking point the other was the live commentary, which Australians took issue with as it sounded biased and laboured.
Collingwood star and noted baller Scott Pendlebury led the charge as the host broadcasters basically cheered the Canadian comeback in the third term.
"Is this press red for Canadian commentary?" Pendlebury tweeted.
Is this press red for Canadian commentary ?? #BoomersCanada
— Scott Pendlebury (@SP_10) September 1, 2019
He was joined by a host of media types who also joined in the sledging and wondered why the pair, a Brit and a biased Canadian were doing the job given the number of NBA callers who might not be working at the moment.
Commentators sounded so much more excited & engaged when Canada made their run. 🤔 #BoomersCanada #FIBAWC @BasketballAus
— Brett Keeble (@BrettKeeble) September 1, 2019
The win gets the Boomers off to the perfect start and they will take on Senegal in their next match, where a win would almost assure them of a top two spot and a safe exit from the group stage.
-With AAP
Sounds like the fella commentating the #boomerscanada #FIBAWorldCup2019 match thought he was signing up for the Football World Cup ... pic.twitter.com/amB0wdy8yb
— Peter Brown (@SydneyEditor) September 1, 2019