13
Oct
Pre-season Analysis
Per-36 pop: Aussies in NBA fuel Boomers optimism
Johnny Furphy #12 of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 12, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Highlights
Giddey, Daniels and Furphy headline a potential Boomers Big 3 after strong preseason bursts.
- Boomers’ backcourt potential echoes Chuck Daly’s three-guard template
- Giddey’s per-36 line flirts with a triple-double whole Daniels continues MIP leap with elite two-way efficiency
- Furphy’s scoring pop and size round out the trio as Zikarsky’s long-term upside at centre is exciting
In 1989, Chuck Daly mastered the three-guard rotation with Isiah Thomas running the point, Joe Dumars rotating between the 1 and 2 and Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson cookin' at the 3. Daly's Detroit Pistons went back-to-back NBA champions in both '89 and 1990.
The 2028 Australian Boomers are poised to have their own Big 3 in the backcourt at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Chicago Bulls star Josh Giddey, Atlanta Hawks wing Dyson Daniels and, it's early days, but Indiana Pacers wing Johnny Furphy are emerging as a potential three-headed monster based on their 2025-26 NBA pre-season production.
Giddey, 23, signed a USD $100M four-year deal last month to stay in Chicago and by the time it expires it will be one of the most under-market contracts this decade.
Per 36 minutes, Giddey is averaging 17 points (33%), 10 rebounds and 11 assists ... a triple double. If Giddey can improve his shooting to at least 40% from the field, watch out!
Daniels, 22, who is set to become a restricted free agent in 2026, has started the 2025-26 season for the Atlanta Hawks where he left off as the NBA's Most Improved Player.
Per 36 minutes, Daniels is averaging 13.9 points (58.3%), 8.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks.
Furphy, 20, is delivering a highlight dunk almost every time he steps on the floor since the 2025 Summer League but that only tells part of the story.
Per 36 minutes, Furphy is averaging 23.2 points (50%), 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks.
Rocco Zikarsky is just 18 years old. He'll be 21 in LA and his per-36 numbers are elite. If his development matches his potential and he starts to earn regular minutes, the Boomers are set to have a dominant centre until the 2040 Olympic Games. Yes, 2040!
Below is a breakdown of the Australian men's basketballers in the NBA and their pre-season output including their per-36 minutes production.
Two or three games is an unrealistic benchmark, especially for rookies such as Tyrese Proctor but established vets such as Jock Landale and Duop Reath are a strong indicator of their potential if they each play big minutes.
Johnny Furphy - Indiana Pacers
@ Minnesota — W 135-134 (OT)
- MIN: 20 I PTS: 12 I REB: 3 I AST: 1 I STL: 0 I BLK: 1 I FG%: 50.0 I 3P%: 50.0 I FT%: 83.3 I Turnovers: 4
vs Oklahoma City — W 116-101
- MIN: 11 I PTS: 8 I REB: 3 I AST: 0 I STL: 1 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 50.0 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 100 I Turnovers: 0
Preseason Average (2 Games)
- MIN: 15.5 I PTS: 10.0 I REB: 3.0 I AST: 0.5 I STL: 0.5 I BLK: 0.5 I FG%: 50.0 I 3P%: 20.0 I FT%: 87.5 I Turnovers: 2.0
Per 36 Minutes
- MIN: 36 I PTS: 23.2 I REB: 7.0 I AST: 1.2 I STL: 1.2 I BLK: 1.2 I FG%: 50.0 I 3P%: 20.0 I FT%: 87.5 I Turnovers: 4.7
Dyson Daniels - Atlanta Hawks
@ Houston — L 122-113
- MIN: 20 I PTS: 8 I REB: 3 I AST: 6 I STL: 2 I BLK: 1 I FG%: 75.0 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 100.0 I Turnovers: 1
@ Memphis — W 122-116
- MIN: 24 I PTS: 9 I REB: 7 I AST: 1 I STL: 0 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 44.4 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 50.0 I Turnovers: 2
Preseason Average (2 Games)
- MIN: 22.0 I PTS: 8.5 I REB: 5.0 I AST: 3.5 I STL: 1.0 I BLK: 0.5 I FG%: 58.3 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 75.0 I Turnovers: 1.5
Preseason Per-36 (2-Game Average)
- MIN: 36 I PTS: 13.9 I REB: 8.2 I AST: 5.7 I STL: 1.6 I BLK: 0.8 I FG%: 58.3 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 75.0 I Turnovers: 2.5
Josh Giddey - Chicago Bulls
@ Cleveland — W 118-117
- MIN: 14 I PTS: 3 I REB: 3 I AST: 5 I STL: 3 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 25.0 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 50.0 I Turnovers: 2
vs Cleveland — W 119-112
- MIN: 22 I PTS: 14 I REB: 7 I AST: 6 I STL: 0 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 38.5 I 3P%: 40.0 I FT%: 100.0 I Turnovers: 3
Preseason Average (2 Games)
- MIN: 18.0 I PTS: 8.5 I REB: 5.0 I AST: 5.5 I STL: 1.5 I BLK: 0.0 I FG%: 33.3 I 3P%: 28.6 I FT%: 75.0 I Turnovers: 2.5
Per-36 (2-Game Average)
- MIN: 36 I PTS: 17.0 I REB: 10.0 I AST: 11.0 I STL: 3.0 I BLK: 0.0 I FG%: 33.3 I 3P%: 28.6 I FT%: 75.0 I Turnovers: 5.0
Rocco Zikarsky - Minnesota Timberwolves
vs Denver — W 126-116
- MIN: 13 I PTS: 9 I REB: 8 I AST: 0 I STL: 0 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 37.5 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 75.0 I Turnovers: 1
vs Indiana — L 135-134 (OT)
- MIN: 3 I PTS: 0 I REB: 1 I AST: 1 I STL: 0 I BLK: 1 I FG%: 0.0 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 0.0 I Turnovers: 0
@ New York — L 100-95 (OT)
- MIN: 14 I PTS: 2 I REB: 3 I AST: 0 I STL: 0 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 50.0 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 0.0 I Turnovers: 1
Preseason Average (3 Games)
- MIN: 10.0 I PTS: 3.7 I REB: 4.0 I AST: 0.3 I STL: 0.0 I BLK: 0.3 I FG%: 38.5 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 75.0 I Turnovers: 0.7
Per-36 (3-Game Average)
- MIN: 36 I PTS: 13.3 I REB: 14.4 I AST: 1.1 I STL: 0.0 I BLK: 1.1 I FG%: 38.5 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 75.0 I Turnovers: 2.5
Tyrese Proctor - Cleveland Cavaliers
vs Chicago — L 118-117
- MIN: 12 I PTS: 14 I REB: 0 I AST: 2 I STL: 1 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 83.3 I 3P%: 75.0 I FT%: 50.0 I Turnovers: 0
@ Chicago — L 119-112
- MIN: 10 I PTS: 7 I REB: 1 I AST: 4 I STL: 0 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 28.6 I 3P%: 16.7 I FT%: 66.7 I Turnovers: 1
Preseason Average (2 Games)
- MIN: 11.0 I PTS: 10.5 I REB: 0.5 I AST: 3.0 I STL: 0.5 I BLK: 0.0 I FG%: 52.9 I 3P%: 45.8 I FT%: 58.3 I Turnovers: 0.5
Per-36 (2-Game Average)
- MIN: 36 I PTS: 34.4 I REB: 1.6 I AST: 9.8 I STL: 1.6 I BLK: 0.0 I FG%: 52.9 I 3P%: 45.8 I FT%: 58.3 I Turnovers: 1.6
Luke Travers - Cleveland Cavaliers
vs Chicago — L 118-117
- MIN: 12 I PTS: 5 I REB: 1 I AST: 0 I STL: 1 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 40.0 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 50.0 I Turnovers: 0
@ Chicago — L 119-112
- MIN: 10 I PTS: 8 I REB: 4 I AST: 1 I STL: 0 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 60.0 I 3P%: 33.3 I FT%: 20.0 I Turnovers: 0
Preseason Average (2 Games)
- MIN: 11.0 I PTS: 6.5 I REB: 2.5 I AST: 0.5 I STL: 0.5 I BLK: 0.0 I FG%: 50.0 I 3P%: 20.0 I FT%: 33.3 I Turnovers: 0.0
Per-36 (2-Game Average)
- MIN: 36 I PTS: 21.3 I REB: 8.2 I AST: 1.6 I STL: 1.6 I BLK: 0.0 I FG%: 50.0 I 3P%: 20.0 I FT%: 33.3 I Turnovers: 0.0
Jock Landale - Memphis Grizzlies
vs Detroit — L 128-112
- MIN: 19 I PTS: 9 I REB: 7 I AST: 1 I STL: 1 I BLK: 1 I FG%: 42.9 I 3P%: 66.7 I FT%: 100.0 I Turnovers: 1
vs Atlanta — L 122-116
- MIN: 23 I PTS: 9 I REB: 7 I AST: 1 I STL: 0 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 50.0 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 100.0 I Turnovers: 3
Preseason Average (2 Games)
- MIN: 21.0 I PTS: 9.0 I REB: 7.0 I AST: 1.0 I STL: 0.5 I BLK: 0.5 I FG%: 46.7 I 3P%: 33.3 I FT%: 100.0 I Turnovers: 2.0
Per-36 (2-Game Average)
- MIN: 36 I PTS: 15.4 I REB: 12.0 I AST: 1.7 I STL: 0.9 I BLK: 0.9 I FG%: 46.7 I 3P%: 33.3 I FT%: 100.0 I Turnovers: 3.4
Duop Reath - Portland Trail Blazers
@ Golden State — L 129-123
- MIN: 11 I PTS: 9 I REB: 3 I AST: 0 I STL: 0 I BLK: 1 I FG%: 50.0 I 3P%: 50.0 I FT%: 0.0 I Turnovers: 1
vs Sacramento — W 124-123
- MIN: 9 I PTS: 2 I REB: 1 I AST: 1 I STL: 0 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 33.3 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 0.0 I Turnovers: 0
Preseason Average (2 Games)
- MIN: 10.0 I PTS: 5.5 I REB: 2.0 I AST: 0.5 I STL: 0.0 I BLK: 0.5 I FG%: 41.7 I 3P%: 33.3 I FT%: 0.0 I Turnovers: 0.5
Per-36 (2-Game Average)
- MIN: 36 I PTS: 19.8 I REB: 7.2 I AST: 1.8 I STL: 0.0 I BLK: 1.8 I FG%: 41.7 I 3P%: 33.3 I FT%: 0.0 I Turnovers: 1.8
Lachlan Olbrich - Chicago Bulls
vs Cleveland — W 119-112
- MIN: 7 I PTS: 6 I REB: 2 I AST: 0 I STL: 1 I BLK: 0 I FG%: 75.0 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 0.0 I Turnovers: 0
Preseason Average (1 Game)
- MIN: 7.0 I PTS: 6.0 I REB: 2.0 I AST: 0.0 I STL: 1.0 I BLK: 0.0 I FG%: 75.0 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 0.0 I Turnovers: 0.0
Per-36 (1-Game Projection)
- MIN: 36 I PTS: 30.9 I REB: 10.3 I AST: 0.0 I STL: 5.1 I BLK: 0.0 I FG%: 75.0 I 3P%: 0.0 I FT%: 0.0 I Turnovers: 0.0
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