If we are to single out one Aussie capable of making the jump to the NBA, Joe Ingles should be it. He’s an NBA player.
His talent and potential were always evident during his time in the NBL, but moving to Europe has seen him mature and set the tone for a transition to the best league in the world.
Watching our Olympic team in London this year, I thought Ingles was our best player. He played great defence, he rebounded, he passed the ball well. He showed a whole lot more poise and maturity in his game.
The experience of playing at such a major event and at the highest level in Europe for Barcelona means his game is at the perfect stage for an NBA move next season.
He wouldn’t just be making up the numbers, either.
I think when he gets to the NBA, people are going to be very surprised to see he can actually contribute at that level. He’s a very good defender and can be an amazing NBA player defensively.
For his size and his length, he also handles the ball well. People forget that Joe is 6’8″. With his wingspan, he’s probably like a 6’10”.
The player his size reminds me of is Toni Kukoc. If he can pick up the Kukoc jump shot – he’s not far off and he’s got the ability to do it – then he can really make it in the NBA.
But for now, he’s already an NBA level defender and a great passer, which will help him go to the next level.
While Ingles is ready to go, there are a few Australian players overseas right now who might not be too far behind him.
His Barcelona teammate Nathan Jawai is quite possibly next in line.
Nathan was probably a bit immature when he arrived in the NBA. Since then he’s had to go out and do the hard yards in Serbia, Russia and now Spain, and as a result he’s got his game and his numbers back to a strong level.
I think there’s a spot for him in the NBA now he’s more mature.
Behind Jawai I’d have Aron Baynes. A couple of years ago you wouldn’t have predicted it, but he’s shown in Europe and at the Olympics that he’s got an NBA body.
On top of this, his game has improved to where he’s a double-double every night in a top European league.
Next up, I like Matthew Dellavedova. He’s a real student of the game and was sensational at the Olympics. He was a stabiliser for the team, controlling the offence and defence.
Delly can shoot, guard multiple positions and is very good at the pick and roll. He reads rotations well and finds the open man.
Even if he doesn’t go first round, I think there will be a spot for him somewhere in the NBA.
Aleks Maric is someone who will probably get an opportunity over the next couple of years. I don’t think he’ll ever be a star in the NBA but with his big body he can certainly play a role.
He’s a hard worker, a real banging big inside. He can hold down some minutes in the right situation.
Lastly, a player worth keeping an eye on is Washington State senior Brock Motum, who averaged 18 points last year.
He’s 6’10”, a left hander and inside and out he’s got the ability to push for a spot in the NBA. He needs a big senior year but if he does that, he’ll give himself a real chance.
Shane Heal is the current coach of the NBL’s Sydney Kings. He played NBA basketball for the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs and represented Australia at four Olympics. Follow him on Twitter: @ShaneHeal
ConorHarvey1888
Roar Rookie
I follow Saint Marys in college basketball quite a bit, and i rate Dellavedova very highly. As stated, he can guard multiple positions, and he is also capable of shooting the 3, driving to the basket, or dishing it to teammates. While likely not a first rounder, I definitely think he deserves a roster spot. Not an aussie, but another player I think is ready for the NBA is New Zealander Tom Abercrombie. An outstanding athlete, top notch defender, good rebounder, terrific alley-oop finisher, and a reliable 3 point shot all point towards Abercrombie having the skills necesarry to land himself on an NBA roster. After the Olympics he generated interest from the Houston Rockets, as well as several European clubs, before ultimately staying with the Breakers. While I was happy as it meant i got to continue watching him for the breakers, I felt he could have taken his opportunity to jump to the NBA when it came.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Nice game tonight, Heal, wasn't it? :D
JVGO
Guest
Wasn't there an epic shootout between Scnidt and Gaze at the Olympics?
Swampy
Guest
There is no doubt Gaze could have spent more time in the NBA. Regardless he is like Oscar Schmidt - an absolute legend. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Worlds biggest
Guest
Agree Hammer, Ingles was outstanding at the Olympics and has NBA player written all over him. Playing in Europe is good grounding and would love to see him with the Celtics.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I never bought into the Mackinnon NBA talk for the simple reason that he couldn't shoot to save himself. Yes, he was athletic, but he was the exact same player at 18 than he was at 32 - he didn't really improve. Even when his shot was falling, it was mechanical, slow, and had a low release. He would have been eaten alive in the NBA, because he would have been, at best, on par with other players in terms of athleticism. I think Ingles is different because he's taller, longer and more versatile on offence.
sledgeross
Guest
Cheers Swampy, I actually rate Newley, and think he could play NBA ball. Godo size for a SG, can dunk in traffic, can shoot the 3 and handle/pass well enough. Good point about shooting though. I honestly belive Andrew Gaze could have spent much longer in teh NBA if he had more opportunity (or he actually wanted to). He could definitely hit the open jumpers and was decent size. Have a look at players like Kerr, kapono etc and I think Gaze was underused as a potential bench player.
Swampy
Guest
Nice call sledgeross. I think Brad Newly fell into a similar fate. To be brutally honest, if you are white, you must be able to shoot jumpers. McKinnon couldn't. Ingles can and has range as well. Heal is right that he could make it - he just needs to show that he can nail that open 20-25 foot jumper. The thing that most people miss about the NBA is how good most players are at knocking down open shots. When players can't (see Allen, Tony) they become a liability to their team. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
sledgeross
Guest
True Ryan, but we are biased because he is aussie. I remember the Sam Mackinnon scenario. When he burst onto the scene with his dunking, and then developed his game, everyone was thinking NBA for sure. Good athlete, rebounder and defender, decent shooter. But I remember Brett Brown saying something that put it into persepective for me. It was along the lines of yes, Sam is a great athlete here in the NBL, but you put him into any NBA draft, and he doesnt make the top 20 athletes. Of course, Ingles has a completely different skill set but he defensive skills are not going to make him standout in teh NBA.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
What may just get Ingles in the NBA is his defence. He's a brilliant defender, and as ludicrous as this sounds, I thought he did a tremendous job on LeBron James in the Olympics. You're never going to truly stop LeBron, but Ingles stayed in front of him, made him work hard for his shots and off the dribble, and extremely surprisingly (for me anyway), he wasn't outmuscled too badly. He's got long arms, moves his feet, and has good defensive instincts, so considering his versatility on offence, I could definitely see him in the NBA.
Swampy
Guest
Let's be very clear with facts. Unless you are the 'star' player for your team in Europe you will not earn more than a bench player in the NBA. Joe Ingles is not the star player at Barcelona - in fact he's not even in the top 3 there. The average salary in the NBA is $5.15m for 2012. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
sledgeross
Guest
Yeah, Joe can play in the NBA, the problem is that there are plenty of other players with similar skill sets. What makes him unique is his size. Agree, Jawai and Baynes look to be developing nicely, with Baynes showing a willingness to thump people in the paint. Really impressed me in the Olympics, and Jawai has progessed in the Euroleague, stepping up each season. Disagree about Dellavedova. Dont think he is quite good enough for the nba. Noticed in London he doesnt have a left hand and isnt particulary good at beating blokes off the dribble. While he is a good 3 point shooter, he's a set shooter, and needs to plant his feet. Hope Im wrong, because I really enjoy his effort and tenacity.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
Joe is a quality player - the key is whether he can be a borderline starter. If he's not likely to be in the rotation he is way better off staying in Europe. The NBA is not the be all and end all. Plenty of players in Europe can "make the NBA" but choose to stay in Europe as they play 30mins a game and are paid better than the 9th or 10th man on a team in the NBA.
JVGO
Guest
Ingles has played a couple of Summer Leagues with the Warriors to not great effect i believe. Warriors though they have an Aussie connection with Bogut now are pretty set at SF with Barnes and Rush although with Rush out for the season there might be an opening if they are threatening a playoff run and need some more cheap back up. He would still be behind the vastly experienced Richard Jefferson though I imagine, so way down the bench.
Johnno
Guest
Agreed Shane, Ingles had an awesome Olympics, he really fired up vs the dream team. If he is not NBA standard then wow, the NBA must be some hot league to get into. Always amazed me how Sam Mckinnon never got a NBA start at any stage of his career, just goes to show how high the standard is. Joe Ingles is as good as David Anderson I am convinced of that and , David Anderson has had stints in the NBA and done quite well.