James Jones: “This year we have from Frank [Kaminsky], Dario [Saric], Cheick [Diallo]… we can play Deandre [Ayton] at power forward if we need to, with Aron Baynes as our center.”
Aron Baynes Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: C
Born: 12/09/86
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight:259 lbs. / 117.9 kg.
Salary: $5,453,280
Born: 12/09/86
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight:259 lbs. / 117.9 kg.
Salary: $5,453,280
Baynes was typically staunch when leaving training, delivering his message as he breezed by journalists to the bus. “I’ve got three words for you; nothing else, no questions, nothing,” he said. “Regroup. Refocus. Reinvigorate.”
Boomers veteran Baynes, 32, said Tatum in particular was ready to explode thanks to his offensive weaponry and desire to improve defensively. “Definitely [he’s ready to reach superstar status],” Baynes said in Melbourne as the Boomers prepare for their two-game series against Team USA. “He’s so talented – even from the first day I played with him when he was a rookie in his first preseason, you could see how talented he was offensively and he also wants to work on the defensive end which isn’t common in the NBA – some guys live on that offensive talent but he wants to develop his all-round game.”
Aron Baynes: “Those younger guys [Tatum and Brown] are thirsty to go out and improve their game and there’s no better place than the summer time playing international ball against some of the best players in the world. Those guys are still in their rookie contracts and they’re looking to prove themselves over the next couple of years and they definitely have all the tools to do it. They’re competitors, I’ve played against them all the time in practice and I know what they’re capable of … and it’s fun to play alongside them.”
Joining Bolden and Cooks as fresh faces in the team is Jock Landale, who made his Boomers debut in February during the final FIBA World Cup qualifying window. Landale is currently signed to Lithuanian club Žalgiris Kaunas, while he also starred for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Summer League. Six members of the 2016 Olympic team will return, with Aron Baynes, Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding, Joe Ingles and Patrick Mills taking their places in the Boomers team. With five NBL players in the team, Rio Olympians Bogut and Goulding will suit up alongside Cameron Gliddon, Nicholas Kay and Nathan Sobey. The latter three will all play in their first major international tournament after playing key roles in helping the Boomers qualify for the World Cup.
NBA players Patty Mills, Aron Baynes, Matthew Dellavedova and Joe Ingles have been included in Australia’s 12-man squad for the FIBA World Cup next month in China. Three players were picked in the squad announced Wednesday to make their international debuts, including Jonah Bolden of the Philadelphia 76ers and Xavier Cooks, who played in Germany for Oliver Wurzburg before playing in the NBA Summer League with the Phoenix Suns. Jock Landale, who plays for Lithuanian club Zalgiris Kaunas and the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Summer League, also will make his debut for the Boomers.
Brian Robb: Danny Ainge to @Toucherandrich on Al Horford picking the Sixers: “I think that Al really likes to play the 4 more than the 5. He likes playing with Aron Baynes. He didn’t mind playing some 5 but I think…going to Philadelphia will allow him to be almost exclusively the 4.”
