WATCH TAB Courtside 1v1 on SBS with Megan Hustwaite weekly on Thursday from 7pm (AEST) via , or catch up via .
Maher, who has coached at the past six Olympic games in charge of Australia, New Zealand, China and Great Britain’s women's national teams, knows first-hand how hard it is to win a gold medal.
The veteran coach helped Australia to a bronze medal in Atlanta in 1996 and then silver at Sydney in Australia. He also led the Opals to bronze at the World Championships in 1998, while guiding China to a fourth-placed finish at the Beijing games in 2008.
The Opals are considered a good chance of a medal in Tokyo, with the Sandy Brondello-coached side determined to make history as the first Australian basketball team to win gold at the Olympics.
Standing in their way will be a star-studded United States team out to win their sixth straight Olympic women’s basketball gold medal.
Maher, who coached the Opals for seven years from 1993-2000, told Courtside 1v1 host Megan Hustwaite that Australia might need some help from their rivals if they are to be top of the dais in Tokyo.
“In the few instances when the USA has failed to win gold at a World Cup or at the Barcelona Olympics in '92, it has been because they were stunned in the semi-finals,” Maher said.
“They have never lost a final and I think they have too many good players to lose this time if they make it all the way. They are just a nightmare to go up against.
“Australia’s best chance to beat the USA is if there is a changing of the guard in their squad with a big turnover of players.
“If the Opals can have a great campaign and hope another country can turf the USA out in the semi or quarter-finals, then we could be a very good chance for that gold medal.”
Despite the challenges facing Australia in their quest for gold, Maher says this Opals team are in great shape to contest.
“Sandy (Brondello) is the right person for the job. She works in the WNBA and knows what it takes to be successful,” he said.
“This Australian squad has a few superstars and a good mix of younger and older players, which is always important.
“I think Sandy will know how to get the most out of this team and hopefully (she) can lead them to a medal.”
In the full chat, Maher opens up on his incredible coaching career, why Lauren Jackson is the greatest player of either gender Australia has ever seen and how he became a magician both on and off the court.
Maher’s interview is part of an SBS series - TAB Courtside 1v1, which gives fans a chance to get to know more about the unique personalities from the NBA, WNBA, NBL and WNBL, which help shape basketball in Australia.
Hustwaite, who has been covering all levels of Australian basketball for the past 13 years as a reporter, commentator and journalist, will helm the weekly show – every Thursday at 7pm (AEST) via - where she interviews stars of the past, present and future.
SBS will again broadcast multiple regular-season NBA games per week in HD on SBS VICELAND and streamed live via SBS On Demand. Plus, every game of the upcoming 2020-21 NBL season will be LIVE, FREE and in HD via SBS On Demand, with select games also live on SBS VICELAND.
