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Australia's playoff performances prove we're one of the NBA's premier countries

Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Roar Guru
24th April, 2018
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If you have been following the NBA playoffs, you know Ben Simmons is terrorising the Miami Heat like he did to the rest of the league in the regular season.

While the Philly point-forward has dominated the news, all the other Australians in the NBA have made appearances in games, with most contributing meaningful minutes.

There are currently seven Aussies in the league: Thon Maker and Matthew Dellavedova of the Milwaukee Bucks, Patty Mills of the San Antonio Spurs, Dante Exum and Joe Ingles of the Utah Jazz, Aron Baynes of the Boston Celtics, and of lest we not forget, Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers.

In evaluating the countries that make up the NBA, it seems that Australia is among the best in the sport.

While countries like France, Spain, and Serbia have risen the ranks, the young stars of Australia have really started to put their country on the map.

We all know what Simmons can do, but the long-awaited emergence of Maker and all-around solid play by marksman ‘Slow-Mo’ Joe has been worthy of praise.

Perhaps the most exciting development among Aussies in the Association comes with the defensive tenacity the 21-year-old has exuded.

Maker has never shown any sort of defensive skill in his two years in the NBA, but his weakside help has been sensational.

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In fact, the South Sudanese Aussie is currently leading the NBA playoffs in blocks with 3.3 per game. After playing just one minute in Milwaukee’s first two postseason fixtures combined, he played 24 in Game 3 and 31 in Game 4, totalling five blocks in both.

It is no coincidence that the Bucks were able to take both games from the Boston Celtics after the arrival of Maker.

Thon Maker Milwaukee Bucks NBA 2016

(AP Photo/John Locher)

His fellow countryman, Dellavedova, has also logged meaningful minutes totalling a +12 plus/minus in both Bucks wins.

Staying in the Boston-Miluakee series, aside from getting dunked on by the ‘Greek Freak’, Giannis Antentokounmpo, Aron Baynes has provided the needed big body inside for the Celtics. He finished with nine points and 11 boards his last game out.

Moving over to the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference and Joe Ingles and Dante Exum. Ingles, in particular, has provided his patented smart play and deadly shooting against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Though Paul George has got his fair share of buckets, Ingles’ switching on defence and heady offensive play has created many of open buckets for the Jazz.

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Fan-favourite Patty Mills of the Spurs has continued his consistent play into the postseason. Despite trailing three games to one to San Antonio, Mills has averaged 12.3 points per game in the series as the team’s starting point guard.

Oh, and that guy Simmons – he’s pretty good. He’s averaged just about a triple-double through four games, all while playing solid defence. Now with a 3-1 lead over the Miami Heat, he appears primed to continue his historic play as the postseason progresses.

It is undeniable, Australia’s basketball talent is immense… and it is only going to get better.

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