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Three key pillars of Australias Olympic basketball squad are united in their belief the Boomers can push for a drought-breaking medal at Rio - even gold.The Boomers have never won an Olympic medal, with their best result a fourth-place finish in 1988, 1996 and 2000.Boomers can win gold - in Tokyo, says GoorjianDespite being weakened by the withdrawal of 2016 No.1 NBA draft pick Ben Simmons and 2014 No.5 selection Dante Exum -- and the possible unavailability of important big man Andrew Bogut (knee) - the Boomers are full of confidence ahead of next months Games.As the squad went through its paces during a physical scrimmage in Melbourne on Saturday, key playmakers Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills, and coach Andrej Lemanis, were all adamant the Aussies could push for an elusive medal, and perhaps even shock the world by claiming gold.Our goals are to achieve something Australias never done before - to win a medal, San Antonios Mills said.Our goal is gold - weve dreamt about it from when we were little kids, laying in bed dreaming about it, getting that gold medal put around our necks on the podium. To put that into reality [would be amazing].Were going to the Olympics not to just participate, but to try to win a gold medal. We all believe in it. Thats the belief we have. I think its been more felt this time around than any other program Ive been involved in.Mills partner in crime Dellavedova, fresh off winning the NBA championship with Cleveland before a $US38.4 million move to Milwaukee, said he also had his sights firmly on the gold medal.The 25-year-old said Australias famous fighting spirit and team-first mentality would help the Boomers fight above their weight division at Rio.I think our camaraderie -- the things that make Australians Australian -- is what our big advantage is, he said. We have a lot of guys going well all over the world but when we come back [as a squad], theres only one goal, and thats to win. Weve played together for a number of years now, so the understanding on the court, our systems, we know each other on and off the court.Weve got the most guys weve ever had playing in the NBA, weve got guys playing at a really high level in Europe, the NBL is going as well as it has for a long time, so ... were not going to be intimidated by anybody.Delly excited by new Bucks team-mate Thon MakerA sign of that camaraderie was on display at Saturdays scrimmage, with Exum --who withdrew from the squad in June to focus on his recovery from a knee reconstruction in September last year - watching on intently from the sidelines, cajoling and cheering on the squad despite his unavailability for Rio.Lemanis - who will select his 12-man squad for Rio on Monday morning - said he was confident the team at his disposal could secure a podium finish.Absolutely, he said. Its something weve spoken about as a team and we believe we have enough talent and enough chemistry to go to Rio and be successful. I dont think its any secret that as a team weve set our sights on the gold medal.A key wildcard for the Boomers could be the inclusion of Bogut, who is battling bone bruising from last months NBA Finals series.His coach believes Bogut could be a key player even if he wasnt at full fitness for the Olympics.Hes such a difference-maker, his presence is so positive for the group ... so its worthwhile giving him every opportunity to play, Lemanis said.Even if he doesnt play any of the lead-in games, were still OK with that. Im OK with [Bogut playing at 60 or 70 percent fitness] - but its Andrews call, its something only he can make a call on. But if he says hes in, Im good with that.The Boomers will finalise their preparation for Rio with two games against an American College All-Stars side at Melbournes Hisense Arena?on July 12 and 14.Jeremiah McKinnon Jersey .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. Brian Dawkins Jersey .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. http://www.cheapeaglesjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-fletcher-cox-jersey . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Bruce Hector Jersey . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Brian Westbrook Jersey . The third-ranked Ivanovic, who won the event in 2008 and 10, served five aces and broke Wickmayer, also a former winner in 2009, five times. "The result looked easier than it really was," Ivanovic said.MIAMI -- Miami Dolphins rookie cornerback Xavien Howard underwent knee surgery to repair his meniscus and is expected to be sidelined several weeks.Howard, a second-round pick, missed the first three-plus weeks of training camp recovering from arthroscopic surgery on the same knee. The latest injury occurred in practice Tuesday when he got tangled up with receiver Kenny Stills.Its tough when you just went through this, and now you have to go through it again, coach Adam Gase said. It becomes part mental and physical at this point. Hes a really good young player, and he has brought a lot to our defense.Howard will be replaced in the starting lineup Sunday against Tennessee by Byron Maxwell, who was benched last week for poor play.Cornerback Chris Culliver, recovering from a serious knee injury last Thanksgiving, is on the physsically unable to perform list and is expected to begin practicing in Week 7.dddddddddddd.We have that window to keep evaluating when we can get him on the field, Gase said. When that time comes, then obviously hell be in the conversation very fast.Ruled out against the Titans along with Howard were linebacker Koa Misi (neck) and tight end Jordan Cameron (concussion). Running back Arian Foster (hamstring) is doubtful.Center Mike Pouncey is expected to play. He missed the first four games with a hip injury and returned to practice this week.Left tackle Branden Albert, who has been slowed this week by a virus, is listed as questionable.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL[url=http://www.authenckle Branden Albert, who has been sloweBaseball Jerseys[/url] ' ' '