“Opportunity Knocks: Goorjian Calls on White to Step Up in Landale’s Absence”

Sport Basketball FIBA World Cup: ‘It didn’t look great’

Goorjian taps White to replace injured Landale; Boomers will embrace small ball

By | August 18, 2023 — 5.00am

Australian basketball has long been known for punching above its weight on the international stage. However, if the Boomers want to achieve their ultimate goal of winning their first FIBA World Cup, they will have to find a way to overcome their lack of height. The recent injury to starting centre Jock Landale has further increased this challenge for the team.

Injury setback

In their recent victory over South Sudan, Landale went down with a left ankle injury in the first quarter, which all but rules him out of the World Cup. This injury comes on the heels of another ankle injury to his right ankle just weeks prior. While Landale will stay in Melbourne for an MRI on Friday, his teammates will be flying out to Japan to prepare for their first World Cup game against Finland on August 25.

Replacement player

To fill the void left by Landale’s absence, Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has chosen Jack White, a recent signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder, as the likely replacement. White was asked to stay with the team as the 13th player and come to Japan for the last two warm-up games. However, he was informed that he would only go to the World Cup if there was a player injury. Now, with Landale sidelined, White has been given the opportunity to prove his worth on the international stage.

Impact on the team

Landale’s absence is significant for the Boomers, as he was considered the most irreplaceable player due to the team’s lack of depth in the center position. Goorjian had already cut three bigs, Sam Froling, Thon Maker, and Keanu Pinder, from the training camp, while 21-year-old center Harry Wessels was deemed not yet ready for international competition. With Landale out, the Boomers will need to rely on a small-ball style of play, with players like Duop Reath, Xavier Cooks, Nick Kay, and possibly Jack White filling in at the center position.

Embracing small ball

The choice to embrace a small-ball style of play means that the Boomers will rely on a combination of forwards and tall guards to make up for the lack of traditional big men. This strategy was already evident in their recent victory over South Sudan, where guards Josh Green and Matisse Thybulle shined alongside center Duop Reath. Coach Goorjian believes that this style of play will be necessary to overcome the challenges posed by taller teams like France and Georgia in the upcoming lead-up games before the tournament begins.

Adapting the game plan

Goorjian acknowledges that his coaching strategy needs to be flexible and adapt to the available talent on the team. While in club basketball, coaches often focus on developing a specific style of play, international basketball requires a different approach. The primary consideration is selecting the best players available and then formulating a game plan that maximizes their strengths. In the absence of Landale, Goorjian recognizes the need to adjust and focus on specific aspects of the game to achieve the team’s goals.

Conclusion

The Boomers will face significant challenges in their quest for the FIBA World Cup without the presence of Jock Landale. However, the team’s ability to adapt and embrace a small-ball style could potentially overcome these obstacles. Jack White’s opportunity to step up as Landale’s replacement provides an exciting subplot to the team’s journey. Boomers fans will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of the World Cup, as the team aims to achieve their long-awaited breakthrough on the international stage.