Brett Brown’s resignation as Boomers coach could see high profile players dropping out of the Australian men’s team, including superstar Ben Simmons.
There is uncertainty about next year’s Olympic campaign in Tokyo and the NBA is planning to postpone its 2020-2021 season.
Boomers’ preparations for the revamped Olympics took a hurdle after Brown informed Basketball Australia a few weeks ago that due to changed personal circumstances, he no longer had the time to complete his duties.
The veteran mentor was fired as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers after seven seasons in late August and is looking for other NBA coaching opportunities.
Basketball Australia has started the process to replace Brown and will interview Will Weaver, Brian Goorjian, Rob Beveridge, Dean Vickerman and Trevor Gleeson.
A well-placed source stated that Brown’s replacement has already been committed. However, this has been denied by Basketball Australia, which is going through a thorough process of finding a new coach.
Goorjian, back in Australia to coach the Hawks in the NBL, announced that he would answer the call to take the role back if necessary.
“Sure.” I support Basketball Australia and I like the military. If you need me, I’ll be happy to help, “he said on Wednesday.
“I enjoyed my time there with BA and I support Australian basketball, but I haven’t heard (about the job) and am not looking.”
Goorjian coached the boomers at the 2004 Athens Olympics and Beijing 2008, while doing Australian men’s training in Melbourne that off-season.
Sydney King’s coach Weaver has a lot of support due to his long tenure as Boomers assistant coach, but he could be disfellowshipped if he secures an NBA job after being affiliated with the New Orleans Pelicans and OKC Thunder.
Former coach Andrej Lemanis has left himself out after leaving last year’s World Cup in China.
Basketball Australia officials will have to juggle the upcoming NBA season’s delay until January, which could potentially conflict with the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for next year.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced in a panel discussion on CNN that the ideal time to start the new season was in early 2021.
A start in January would mean that the 2020-2021 NBA season, including playoffs, won’t end until August or possibly September.
If the Tokyo Olympics get the go-ahead, the event will run from July 23rd to August 8th.
Silver stressed that no dates had been set, but admitted that a rescheduled season could prevent US and international stars from competing in the Tokyo Olympics next year.
“There are a lot of great US players out there, and we may be dealing with a scenario where the top 15 NBA players aren’t going to the Olympics but other great American players,” said Silver.
Basketball Australia officials previously said they would be overseeing the NBA’s decision-making regarding a season delay.
However, they could be deprived of any control if the NBA decides to postpone the season, which means the clubs will not let their players leave for the Olympics.
It’s a reality that Basketball Australia officials are privately adjusting to, which would mean the boomers for next year’s Tokyo Olympics campaign could do without their NBA stars to win an elusive men’s medal.
History has shown that NBA clubs win in the battle between international basketball and big money contracts.
“The NBA clubs do not allow players to compete in the Olympics if the season is delayed,” a Boomers source said.
“But the NBA has changed with so many international players that it will be interesting to see how the NBA deals with the situation.”
Big boomer Andrew Bogut switched to Twitter when it was revealed that Brown has resigned as an Australian coach.
“There’s a lot more (and, in recent years, boomers wise) than people will ever know,” said Bogut.
The boomers’ close and selfless culture was praised, but behind the scenes there were cracks.
Lemanis struggled with the likes of Simmons and Jonah Bolden, who didn’t like his coaching style and sometimes refused to play under him.
There has also been significant tension between players and Basketball Australia over key issues such as the budget for professional recreation and preparation.
However, those issues had little to nothing to do with Brown’s decision to retire from the boomer role as he seeks to secure his NBA coaching future during uncertain times.
Jan Stirling, Basketball Australia’s high performance general manager, said officials would be undergoing a thorough search for a new Boomers coach.
“Basketball Australia is currently confirming the recruitment process, including the criteria for the now vacant role of Australia’s Boomers head coach for the Tokyo Olympics,” said Stirling.
“Leading the world’s top number three boomers to a marquee event like the Tokyo Olympics is a highly desirable coaching opportunity, and it’s important that we appoint the right person, not just for Australian basketball, but also for our athletes.
“We will be open to this process and it will take us as long as necessary to ensure that we find the most suitable candidate for this Olympic campaign.”
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