You do not necessarily need NBA experience to succeed at the international level in men’s basketball. On Tuesday, Australia’s leading scorer, Jock Landale of Melbourne, had 18 points as Australia defeated Italy 86-83.
Landale, who plays for the Melbourne United of the National Basketball League, showed NBA scouts that he can play elite basketball at the Olympic level. His presence near the glass was significant in a narrow three-point win over a stingy squad from Italy.
With the win, Australia finds themselves as one of four teams undefeated in the Olympic men’s basketball tournament to date. In addition to beating the Italians, they have also defeated Nigeria 84-65 to begin the Olympic men’s basketball tournament. In the 19-point win over Nigeria on Sunday, the Australian leading scorer was San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills of Canberra, who had 25 points.
One must realize that of the four undefeated teams so far, only Australia and France have a record of two wins and zero losses. The others are Slovenia and Spain, who have only played once. We all know about Slovenia’s remarkable 118-100 win over Argentina, (led by Luka Doncic’s 48 points). Meanwhile, Spain beat Japan 88-77 in their opening game thanks to 20 points by Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The biggest story from the Olympic men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday was the United States, who rebounded after a stunning 83-76 loss to France on Sunday, with a dominating 120-66 win over Iran. The American leading scorer was Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard of Oakland, California, who had 21 points.
