Basketball On The Internet.

WHAT was the point of Australia's "friendly" international against China last night? It certainly had zero to do with Paris Olympic selection because newspapers and media running with the final 12 for the Games this morning meant the team was determined before last night's irrelevant 91-58 win at John Cain Arena. 

That's how deadlines work. So what was the point of it all for a Chris Goulding, for example? In 12 minutes he had 12 points on 4-of-6 threes. That was after a quality performance against China on Tuesday as well.

Sorry mate. We already had the team picked.

Matisse Thybulle, our stunning unforeseen star of the Tokyo Olympic medal-winning campaign, lost in the shuffle of that abortive World Cup shemozzle last year? 

Nah. We can't use you this time around. What the? Paris now appears to be a "last hurrah, farewell tour" after all.

Gold? Give us a break.

Our Boomers team for Paris is Dyson Daniels, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Josh Giddey, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Jock Landale, Will Magnay, Jack McVeigh, Patty Mills, Duop Reath.

It's a fine team no doubt, but sure to be ridiculed because we all have our favourite players who - in our minds - absolutely, positively should have been there.

But if you're pumping for Xavier Cooks, then beyond his stellar work in-and-around the basket, can he give you a mid-range, a long-range or a free throw? There's your clue why he didn't stick in the NBA.

Nick Kay lacks his athleticism but he is on par with Dellavedova for his willingness to scrap, get boards and he does hit shots.

Magnay? Yes, we likely need that one genuine inside banger considering how much range and  versatility Landale and Reath provide.

And we've been enjoying it for years but there's very little like the Dellavedova alley-oop lob for a dunk - be it to Andrew Bogut, Aron Baynes, Jock Landale or Will Magnay.

At international level, that work-of-art should be renamed the Delly-oop.

So while there is still much to like about our team to Paris, Thybulle's absence is a poor reflection on the coaching staff's ability to properly utilise him, while also an insight into coach Brian Goorjian's unshakeable belief in those he views as "my guys".

You know who they are.

Now take a quick look again at our 12-men on a mission and ask yourself will they beat a team comprised of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Kawhi Leonard and Jayson Tatum?

If your answer is no, then rule out gold in Paris straight away.

All things being equal, which can be a hazardous belief with FIBA shuffling the pots, a USA-France gold medal game, the hosts led by Victor Wembanyama, wouldn't be something to rule out.

Australia's biggest challenge will be getting out of the group stage. If the Boomers achieve that, then all bets are off as to how deep they then can go.

In the finish though, it's curious how much - other than seeing them on home soil - the China series achieved. It helped Jack McVeigh, no question and his selection is the feel-good story of this team.

The Boomers first quarter defence, restricting China to six points, was exemplary. In fact its D throughout was bewitching and in stark contrast to the leaking boat we sank with at the World Cup.

But let's be honest - was this China's under-23 team? 

Landale, 19 points at 60 per cent and nine boards, three assists, two steals and a block, had a night out, Kay played 10 minutes for eight points on 3-of-3 shooting (2-of-2 threes) as the Boomers romped through every quarter.

Their 27-10 third, where Goulding showed why he has been a Boomers mainstay, was particularly impressive. Too bad the team was already selected.

AUSTRALIA BOOMERS 91 (Landale 19, Goulding 12, Giddey 11; Landale 9 rebs; Dellavedova, Ingles 4 assts) d CHINA 58 (Liao 15, He 10, Cheng 8; Yang 10 rebs; Yang 3 assts) at John Cain Arena.