French show way for Boomers wanting a Brisbane moment
France’s team of NBA veterans, raw generational talents and cult heroes had their moment against the modern-day Dream Team in Paris.
Fast forward eight years and you can’t help but think, will the Boomers have theirs in Brisbane, too?
Snapping out of some tepid pre-Games form, the French clicked just in time to set up the dream Olympic final and threw all their punches to cause absolute scenes at Bercy Arena.
San Antonio’s star rookie Victor Wembanyama, just 20, and Real Madrid’s dynamite forward, Guerschon ‘Dancing Bear’ Yabusele rode the wave of parochialism that’s been such a part of these Games.
It wasn’t enough. After some nervous moments Steph Curry called game and the US won 98-87 for a fifth-straight Olympic title.
The hottest ticket in town lived up to the hype.
Back to Brisbane and you’d think it’s safe to assume 39-year-old LeBron James and his metallic gold boots – and Curry’s golden arm – won’t be there.
You can throw Boomers great Patty Mills, 36 on Sunday, in that basket. Or can you?
Bounced out by eventual bronze medallists Serbia in an overtime quarter-final heartbreaker, there’s been plenty said about the Boomers.
What went wrong, what should they have done differently and where they go from here?
It’s quite easy to imagine a future where they’ll be just fine.
Guard Josh Giddey will be 25 for Los Angeles’ Games and 29 in Brisbane, so too Dyson Daniels, who was very impressive in Paris.
Josh Green, used sparingly as this tournament went on, but a solid piece of this season’s Dallas Mavericks’ NBA Finals side, will be 31.
Jock Landale will be 36 and potentially the old bull in the yard, teaching the Boomers’ lore to the new generation.
And there’s plenty of those.
Shooting wing Johnny Furphy will join the NBA next year and be 27 when Brisbane’s Games roll around, while centre Rocco Zikarsky (26), guard Tyrese Proctor (28) and Alex Toohey (28) will be in their prime.
And did you know Dyson has a little brother?
Dash Daniels is 16 and on track.
Then you consider all the kids who got up early in Australia on Sunday to watch, and who will emerge.
France, who lost 87-82 to the USA in Tokyo’s gold medal final, proved again that the world has – almost – caught up.
Behind Wembanyama they’ll only get better but, with the NBL blossoming and more Australians entering the NBA every year, the Boomers could have their Brisbane moment.
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