Qualification for the 2016 Olympics took place in Melbourne on Saturday, with Australia and New Zealand competing for a spot in Brazil at the Oceania Basketball Championships.
New Zealand’s Haka war cry does not intimidate Australia’s NBA stars
Oceania basketball is back!
The Australian Boomers are packed with NBA talent. Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova all in Gold and Green this week. As New Zealand found out, they aren’t easily intimidated.
Like past meetings, New Zealand performed the Haka -- a traditional Maori war cry which is used to intimidate opponents. The Haka is also used in Rugby and various sports across New Zealand. The USA Basketball team was once pretty confused by it.
The Boomers, however, were not concerned and put on a show. They won 71-59 with Patty Mills (Dante Exum’s replacement) finishing with 17 points as Cavaliers point guard Dellavedova added 15 points.
New Zealand’s Corey Webster had a game-high 22 points, the only Kiwi to produce double figures.
Great win @AussieBoomers ! Need one more in NZ on Tuesday. Rod Laver Arena was rocking... Thank you Melbourne!!!
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) August 15, 2015 Patty had some fun, too!
Probably main reason Patty Mills likes to play for Australia. He gets to do this, which doesn't fly on Pop's team. pic.twitter.com/FIy8pIoC9i
— Dan McCarney (@danmccarneySAEN) August 15, 2015 Matthew Dellavedova to Andrew Bogut... showing off some NBA chemistry #AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/YfLIguv8Eg
— 72 days till NBA (@nathanleo) August 15, 2015 Both teams meet again next Tuesday.
★★★
SB Nation presents: NBA rookies imitate Kobe, LeBron and more stars
