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The Boomers have lost two point guards in less than a week but coach Andrej Lemanis insists it hasn’t shaken their confidence ahead of Saturday’s opening Rio Olympic Games qualifier.
Perth Wildcats skipper Damian Martin was on Thursday ruled out of the clash with New Zealand at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena after hurting his calf during training earlier in the week.
It follows last week’s ACL injury to NBA point guard Dante Exum, who went down in Australia’s final warm-up game in Europe against Slovenia and was replaced by Patty Mills.
Cairns Taipans captain Cam Gliddon, who has played previously for the Boomers, comes in for Martin.
With Martin and Exum injured and Andrew Bogut and Ryan Broekhoff rested because of soreness, Lemanis hasn’t had all 12 players at practice at the same time since arriving home last Friday.
“You’d rather it be smooth but it is what it is,” Lemanis said.
“It’s just important the attitude that we take in. We’re a good, talented side; we’re a group that’s played a lot of basketball together over the course of time.
“They’re all just starting to find their rhythm and chemistry.
“We’ll take good confidence into the game. New Zealand has been playing well and I’m sure it’ll be a good battle.”
Martin, who was struggling to walk on Thursday, had asked for as long as possible to recover from his injury but left it up to medical staff to make the final call on his fitness.
“It was a little bit of a no-brainer in the end but still devastating that I don’t get to run out in front of 14,000 people on Saturday night,” said the 30-year-old, who will stay with the squad for their second-leg in Wellington next Tuesday.
“It’s one of those injuries … I just pushed off on my calf and felt a small pop.
“It’s just a shame it happened so close to such a big event.”
Bogut, meanwhile, declared himself ready after completing a full contact session on Thursday.
The NBA champion sat out the Boomers’ scrimmage against NBL side Melbourne United on Wednesday and last week’s final European tour game with a “bit of tightness”.
“I’m good – everything pulled up fine today,” he said.
“I just have to be smart. There’s no point being a hero right now when the end goal is Saturday and Tuesday (in Wellington).
“Being in the NBA for 10 years isn’t an accident. The coaches understand that and let me listen to my body when I need a recovery or off day.
“Some days you just need to put your hand up and get the ice on.”
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