Smyth tells Boomers to 'take the game on'

Australian and NBL basketball legend Phil Smyth has called on the Boomers to be fearless in the upcoming FIBA World Cup, and believes there are more teams to be wary of than just traditional powerhouses, the USA.

Smyth won three NBL titles, a Grand Final MVP and four Defensive Player of the Year awards across his 13-year NBL playing career, and added three more titles as head coach of the Adelaide 36ers.

He also represented Australia at five separate World Cups and four Olympics campaigns.

The United States are set to name a roster filled with high-level NBA talent, but will likely be without some of the biggest names in world basketball.

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“It will still be a big game, but not as intimidating as if LeBron and those types of players are there,” Smyth told News Corp.

“You go back to 2019 and the US were seventh, so it wasn’t like they were a powerhouse at the last World Cup.

“Sometimes we’re not paying attention to how good some of the European teams are … if the 'Joker' (Nikola Jokic) plays for Serbia, for example, that changes their dynamics pretty quickly.

“You’re probably going to be more worried about playing against France or Spain than playing against America.”

For the full story head to >> Why Team USA has lost its “fear” factor at the World Cup.