State of the Union. Team Canada Basketball. (FIBA Americas Aug.31-Sep.15)

[NBACommissioner]

I'm going to laugh when AB outplays Wiggins in Mexico for Canada. I think it could happen as Wiggins driving will be taken away just like in college because the bigs can stay in the key whereas AB is designed for these Tourny's. In the international game you usually have to be able to man handle people or shoot the light out neither Wiggins is that good at.

[frumble]

Brazil released its preliminary squad for FIBA Americas.

Brazilian Preliminary Squad: Derek Evandro Ramos, Larry James Taylor Júnior, Ricardo Fischer, Rafael Freire Luz, Vitor Alves Benite, Danilo Fuzaro Siqueira, Leonardo Simões Meindl, Marcus Vinicius Vieira de Souza “Marquinhos”, Carlos Alexandre Rodrigues do Nascimento “Olivinha”, Marcus Vinicius Urban Toledo dos Reis, Augusto Cesar de Lima Brito, João Paulo Lopes Batista, Rafael Ferreira de Souza, Rafael Hettsheimeir, Ronald Rudson Rodrigues dos Reis. - See more at: http://www.fibaamericas.com/en/noticiasread4.asp?r=EF965001113B48029387779D12ED6D33#sthash.SkoeFxzC.dpuf

Looks quite similar to their PanAm squad.

No Splitter, Barbosa, or Varejao (still injured?)

[mojo13]

Brazil released its preliminary squad for FIBA Americas.

Brazilian Preliminary Squad: Derek Evandro Ramos, Larry James Taylor Júnior, Ricardo Fischer, Rafael Freire Luz, Vitor Alves Benite, Danilo Fuzaro Siqueira, Leonardo Simões Meindl, Marcus Vinicius Vieira de Souza “Marquinhos”, Carlos Alexandre Rodrigues do Nascimento “Olivinha”, Marcus Vinicius Urban Toledo dos Reis, Augusto Cesar de Lima Brito, João Paulo Lopes Batista, Rafael Ferreira de Souza, Rafael Hettsheimeir, Ronald Rudson Rodrigues dos Reis. - See more at: http://www.fibaamericas.com/en/noticiasread4.asp?r=EF965001113B48029387779D12ED6D33#sthash.SkoeFxzC.dpuf

Looks quite similar to their PanAm squad.

No Splitter, Barbosa, or Varejao (still injured?)

No Nene or Raul Neto too.
I'll speculate that this is an indication they made the payment owed to FIBA by July 31st. Perhaps they are using the tournie as another exhibition/development opportunity.

Let's hope so - I have found nothing confirming this yet though.

[mojo13]

You read between the lines here and it sure seems like they are confident the auto-bid to the Olympics is secure:

From Fibaamericas.com website:
#FIBAAmericas2015 - Magnano convokes the National Team and Marquinhos joins Pan American Champion

RIO DE JANEIRO (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - The celebration of the conquest of the Gold Medal at the Pan American Games 2015 was shortened for the Brazilian National Team and their coach Ruben Magnano.

With one month to go for the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship, the Brazilians began their route to their next continental commitment, by unveiling the list of players that will be part of the Preliminary Squad.

Keeping most of the players who were in Toronto, the experienced coach added recognized names, such as Marquinhos, to this new stage of the team.

The Brazilian National Federation has clear intentions for this team.

"Within the plan prepared by the Technical Department and the Technical Commission of the Brazilian team, the 2015 season will be used to improve the development and the experience of some athletes, already thinking about the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games and the future of the national team.”

The Brazilians will begin preparing for the FIBA Americas C’ship on August 4 and the first preparatory commitment will be at home in the Super Desafio in Brasilia from August 7- 9.

The team will then travel to Argentina for the Cuatro Naciones tournament from August 13 - 15.

The next stop for the Pan American champions will be San Juan, where they will face the national teams of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the Jenaro "Tuto" Marchand Continental Cup, from August 23 to 27.

After the Tuto Cup, the Brazilians will move to Mexico where they will be part of Group A and will begin their participation in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship against Uruguay on August 31. In addition, the team will face the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama during the First Round of the 2015 FIBA Americas C’ship.

The 2015 FIBA Americas Championship will qualify the two teams that reach the gold-medal match to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, while the teams that finish third, fourth and fifth will classify to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Brazilian Preliminary Squad: Derek Evandro Ramos, Larry James Taylor Júnior, Ricardo Fischer, Rafael Freire Luz, Vitor Alves Benite, Danilo Fuzaro Siqueira, Leonardo Simões Meindl, Marcus Vinicius Vieira de Souza “Marquinhos”, Carlos Alexandre Rodrigues do Nascimento “Olivinha”, Marcus Vinicius Urban Toledo dos Reis, Augusto Cesar de Lima Brito, João Paulo Lopes Batista, Rafael Ferreira de Souza, Rafael Hettsheimeir, Ronald Rudson Rodrigues dos Reis.
- See more at: http://www.fibaamericas.com/en/noticiasread4.asp?r=EF965001113B48029387779D12ED6D33#sthash.RGL0WNVE.dpuf

[frumble]

No Nene or Raul Neto too.
I'll speculate that this is an indication they made the payment owed to FIBA by July 31st. Perhaps they are using the tournie as another exhibition/development opportunity.

Let's hope so - I have found nothing confirming this yet though.

That makes sense. You would think they would have at least one of their NBA guys if qualification were at stake.

Still have to contend with Argentina, Mexico, DR, and others, but one fewer team to worry about if the dues issue has indeed been resolved.


In other news, I see Phil Scrubb signed with AEK in the top Greek league - essentially replacing Carl English.
Good to see him land a spot in a top tier Euro league.

[mojo13]

Argentina preliminary roster announced.
Similar to PanAms with the addition of Scola, Nocioni, Campazzo and Safar. Scola still scares the bejevus out of me in FIBA ball.
No Delfino (hurt) no Ginobili (too old)...anyone else of substance missing? This is still a dangerous team who knows how to FIBA.


FIBAAmericas2015 - Argentina in fine fettle as veterans join squad
8/4/2015


BUENOS AIRES (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Argentina did not make it to the podium of the Pan American Games but the national team nevertheless has an extra bounce in its step with the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City less than a month away.

Stalwarts Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni were missing in Toronto but are now with the squad, along with Facundo Campazzo and Selem Safar.

All four were members of last year's squad at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in
Spain, where Argentina made it to the Round of 16.

Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez was left encouraged by what he saw from the latest training session.

"I thought it would be much more of a grind and that I would have to intervene many more times," Hernandez said.

"But it went very smoothly.

"I am very happy with what we are doing."

Argentina have a coupe of warm-up games coming up in Brasilia against the Brazil and Uruguay, games that will be played 7 and 9 August.

Hernandez's side will then take part in a four-team tournament 14- 15 August in Tecnópolis, Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela participating.

Argentina take on Uruguay in another friendly in Buenos Aires two days later before traveling to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for more games.

Brazil, Canada, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will be present with the Argentinians.

Hernandez's Argentina will play in Group B at the FIBA Americas Championship (31 August - 12 September) against Canada, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

The sides that reach the Final of the even will clinch places in the Rio de Janeiro Games while the teams that come in third, fourth and fifth will claim berths in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Argentina preliminary squad: Federico Aguerre, Nicolas Aguirre, Matias Bortolin, Nicolas Brussino, Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, Marcos Delia, Pablo Espinoza, Tayavek Gallizi, Patricio Garino, Franco Giorgetti, Nicolas Laprovittola, Leo Mainoldi, Marcos Mata, Andres Nocioni, Nicolas Richotti, Selem Safar, Luis Scola, Juan Manuel Torres and Luca Vildoza.

Go to fiba.com/Americas2015 for more coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.
- See more at: http://www.fibaamericas.com/en/noticiasread4.asp?r=F498A14B1C2444C6BE1FFF9E7B6E66C0#sthash.yNrmPf3e.dpuf

[frumble]

Argentina preliminary roster announced.
Similar to PanAms with the addition of Scola, Nocioni, Campazzo and Safar. Scola still scares the bejevus out of me in FIBA ball.
No Delfino (hurt) no Ginobili (too old)...anyone else of substance missing? This is still a dangerous team who knows how to FIBA.

Looks like they are only missing three guys from their 2014 World Cup team - Prigioni, Leo Gutierrez, and Hermann. Each of those guys also made their Olympic squad in 2012, and were at least rotation players in 2012 and 2014, but are also each 35+. So understandable that they are not there this time around.

We will have far more NBA guys (in fact, I think we could have more than the rest of the field combined), but as you note, they will still be good.


Re our backup PG situation, from a local TV interview linked on Hoops Hype, Pangos will be moving to Spain on August 20th, and will be starting training camp shortly thereafter. So it doesn't look like he will be available.

[mojo13]

Melvin Ejim signs a partially guaranteed deal with the Orlando Magic.
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/04/report-magic-sign-melvin-ejim-to-partially-guaranteed-contract/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[NBACommissioner]

Melvin Ejim signs a partially guaranteed deal with the Orlando Magic.
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/04/report-magic-sign-melvin-ejim-to-partially-guaranteed-contract/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

wonder if he can still play for Canada...If they want him

[frumble]

From reading these FIBA articles it seems there is a contrast between the way the Latin American teams are preparing for the qualifying tournament and the way Canada is.

Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico and the Dominican have already started camp. PR has been in camp since late July, and the others started the last 2 or 3 days.

These countries also have several warm up games scheduled before the Tuto Marchand Cup (which includes those four teams and Canada).

E.g., it seems Argentina and Brazil have six games scheduled before the Marchand games - a tournament involving them and Uruguay from August 7-9. and then one with them, Mexico and Venezuela from August 13-15. Argentina then has an additional game vs. Uruguay on August 17.

DR and PR also have friendlies scheduled before Marchand.

These teams also have more guys in camp. Argentina has 20, DR has at least 17, and Brazil and PR have 16.


In contrast, Canada will be starting camp on August 13 (I thought it was going to be the 9th, but article in today's Toronto Sun says the 13th). And they have no games scheduled before the Marchand games.

And they will only have 14 guys in camp.

I realize there are limitations involved - its probably very hard to get the Latin American teams to come up here to play, and hard to convince our guys to commit to an extra week or two (either in camp here or playing friendlies in Latin America). But the bottom line is those teams will have roughly 4 weeks of camp and 6-10 exhibition games before the qualifying tournament, while we will only have about 2.5 weeks of camp and 4 exhibition games.

[Badonkadonk]

Exum tears his ACL playing for the Aussies.

As if NBA teams weren't spooked enough to let their players go ...

[dTox]

Orlando Magic: The team added a player to their training camp roster on Tuesday as they signed swingman Melvin Ejim to a two-year contract on Tuesday, reports the Orlando Sentinel. Ejim earned the invite after playing well for their summer league team last month.

[mojo13]

From reading these FIBA articles it seems there is a contrast between the way the Latin American teams are preparing for the qualifying tournament and the way Canada is.

Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico and the Dominican have already started camp. PR has been in camp since late July, and the others started the last 2 or 3 days.

These countries also have several warm up games scheduled before the Tuto Marchand Cup (which includes those four teams and Canada).

E.g., it seems Argentina and Brazil have six games scheduled before the Marchand games - a tournament involving them and Uruguay from August 7-9. and then one with them, Mexico and Venezuela from August 13-15. Argentina then has an additional game vs. Uruguay on August 17.

DR and PR also have friendlies scheduled before Marchand.

These teams also have more guys in camp. Argentina has 20, DR has at least 17, and Brazil and PR have 16.


In contrast, Canada will be starting camp on August 13 (I thought it was going to be the 9th, but article in today's Toronto Sun says the 13th). And they have no games scheduled before the Marchand games.

And they will only have 14 guys in camp.

I realize there are limitations involved - its probably very hard to get the Latin American teams to come up here to play, and hard to convince our guys to commit to an extra week or two (either in camp here or playing friendlies in Latin America). But the bottom line is those teams will have roughly 4 weeks of camp and 6-10 exhibition games before the qualifying tournament, while we will only have about 2.5 weeks of camp and 4 exhibition games.

There is a not so well known FIBA/NBA rule in place saying that NBA players can not participate with their national teams for more than 35 days each summer.

That is why you'll see teams playing prep games in Europe / Latin America early without their NBA players and then they will join once they are within that 35 day window.

Works for a country when they only have 1-4 NBA players - No sense for Canada to start early when most of our guys are NBA players.

Not sure how that impacts Nicholson and Bennett from their participation in the PanAm, games though - maybe it doesn't count? Maybe it wont take them over 35 days.

[frumble]

There is a not so well known FIBA/NBA rule in place saying that NBA players can not participate with their national teams for more than 35 days each summer.

That is why you'll see teams playing prep games in Europe / Latin America early without their NBA players and then they will join once they are within that 35 day window.

Works for a country when they only have 1-4 NBA players - No sense for Canada to start early when most of our guys are NBA players.

Not sure how that impacts Nicholson and Bennett from their participation in the PanAm, games though - maybe it doesn't count? Maybe it wont take them over 35 days.

Interesting - I did not know that.

If camp really does open on Aug 9 (as Basketball Canada reported a couple months ago), it would be exactly 35 days from beginning of camp to end of qualifying tournament (Aug 9 - Sept 12).

(Even if it is Aug 13, as reported in yesterday's Sun, Nicholson and Bennett would still be over 35 if PanAms count. So maybe they join after camp is underway, or maybe PanAms don't count - which would seem odd.)

[mojo13]

There is a not so well known FIBA/NBA rule in place saying that NBA players can not participate with their national teams for more than 35 days each summer.

That is why you'll see teams playing prep games in Europe / Latin America early without their NBA players and then they will join once they are within that 35 day window.

Works for a country when they only have 1-4 NBA players - No sense for Canada to start early when most of our guys are NBA players.

Not sure how that impacts Nicholson and Bennett from their participation in the PanAm, games though - maybe it doesn't count? Maybe it wont take them over 35 days.

Interesting - I did not know that.

If camp really does open on Aug 9 (as Basketball Canada reported a couple months ago), it would be exactly 35 days from beginning of camp to end of qualifying tournament (Aug 9 - Sept 12).

(Even if it is Aug 13, as reported in yesterday's Sun, Nicholson and Bennett would still be over 35 if PanAms count. So maybe they join after camp is underway, or maybe PanAms don't count - which would seem odd.)

My guess is Bennett/Nicholson either start later or don't participate for a few prelim games? Perhaps travel days or non-practice days don't count?

[Patman]

Exum tears his ACL playing for the Aussies.

As if NBA teams weren't spooked enough to let their players go ...

Sucks, but if players want to play some ball in the summer, they'll find a way. Whether it's a high-level FIBA tourney, or some rec league in a high school arena. I'd assume that NBA teams would prefer their players play in the former than the latter.

[NBACommissioner]

Exum tears his ACL playing for the Aussies.

As if NBA teams weren't spooked enough to let their players go ...

Sucks, but if players want to play some ball in the summer, they'll find a way. Whether it's a high-level FIBA tourney, or some rec league in a high school arena. I'd assume that NBA teams would prefer their players play in the former than the latter.

Yea players can have this happen in the drew league or Summerleague too. What's the difference?

[Mattd97]

Exum tears his ACL playing for the Aussies.

As if NBA teams weren't spooked enough to let their players go ...

Sucks, but if players want to play some ball in the summer, they'll find a way. Whether it's a high-level FIBA tourney, or some rec league in a high school arena. I'd assume that NBA teams would prefer their players play in the former than the latter.

Yea players can have this happen in the drew league or Summerleague too. What's the difference?

top quality doctors and insurance

[Patman]

Sucks, but if players want to play some ball in the summer, they'll find a way. Whether it's a high-level FIBA tourney, or some rec league in a high school arena. I'd assume that NBA teams would prefer their players play in the former than the latter.

Yea players can have this happen in the drew league or Summerleague too. What's the difference?

top quality doctors and insurance

This. The players are taken care of like it's an NBA game. The players are taped and stretched by an athletic trainer. And they are iced down after a game.

[NBACommissioner]

Yea players can have this happen in the drew league or Summerleague too. What's the difference?

top quality doctors and insurance

This. The players are taken care of like it's an NBA game. The players are taped and stretched by an athletic trainer. And they are iced down after a game.

So then the NBA team should lend National teams their doctors if they care so much.