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

[arbsn]

Surprised no Cadougan although he was a dud at Pan Am. Glad we've moved on from Anderson. Maybe Murray received approval to come play from Coach Cal?

Cojo / Murray / Hanlan
Stauskas / Heslip / Scrubb
Wiggins / English / Doornekamp
Bennett / Powell / Ejim
Nicholson / Olynyk / Sacre

A lottery team in the NBA but an NBA team nonetheless!

I'd cut Scrubb, Doornekamp and Sacre.

Scrubb is redundant on a team with Murray/Hanlan/Heslip; English can be the vet/glue guy although if Doornekamp makes it I will not be surprised; Ejim brings good versatility/athleticism; Sacre has size but you don't see many rim protectors like Sacre playing in FIBA where the shooting bigs like Olynyk thrive more

[Halftime Show]

Surprised no Cadougan although he was a dud at Pan Am. Glad we've moved on from Anderson. Maybe Murray received approval to come play from Coach Cal?

Cojo / Murray / Hanlan
Stauskas / Heslip / Scrubb
Wiggins / English / Doornekamp
Bennett / Powell / Ejim
Nicholson / Olynyk / Sacre

A lottery team in the NBA but an NBA team nonetheless!

I'd cut Scrubb, Doornekamp and Sacre.

Scrubb is redundant on a team with Murray/Hanlan/Heslip; English can be the vet/glue guy although if Doornekamp makes it I will not be surprised; Ejim brings good versatility/athleticism; Sacre has size but you don't see many rim protectors like Sacre playing in FIBA where the shooting bigs like Olynyk thrive more

FIBA Americas is a 12 man roster.

I would say Hanlan , Scrubb , Bhullar and Doornekamp should be the cuts.

CoJo/Murray
Nik/Heslip
Wiggins/Ejim
Nicholson/Bennett
Olynyk/Sacre

With English at the 2/3 and Powell at the 4/5 rounding out the team. That would be my ideal team from this group. Wouldn't be shocked if Doornekamp makes it or they cut Ejim in favour of some they feel can play the 1 if there's an injury.

[Undefeated]

Stauskas can play point. He did it at Michigan enough times.

[jonny three time]

Scrubb didn't play PanAms because he was playing Summer League.


Re the invite list, I am very glad to see Hanlan back with the program, but no true PG to backup Joseph seems odd. They are confident in the ability of Scrubb or Hanlan to run the point for the roughly 10 minutes a game Joseph will be out? Or they have NCAA/Kentucky approval to have Murray?

My best guess:

Olynyk Sacre
Nicholson Powell Bennett
Wiggins Doornekamp
Stauskas Heslip
Joseph Hanlan

That would leave Scrubb and English battling for the last spot, or it going to Murray if he is somehow available.

I'd bet this ends up being the lineup and it should be. In a perfect world TT is there for Powell, Murray for Hanlan and Rautins for heslip, but it still looks pretty good. I'm not sure whether Hanlan or Scrubb has better PG skills, but whoever does should be the one who's going as the talent difference isn't significant and it's more about team needs for that spot.

[Pooh_Jeter]

You can certainly get away with guys like Scrubb, Hanlan, Stauskas, Heslip, etc. playing 10 minutes/garbage time at PG, but what if CoJo gets in foul trouble or is hurt? It's a hypothetical situation, but you have to insulate against that possibility in the 12 man roster.

There is good depth at the 4/5 and while there may not be a great true SF option behind Wiggins, you can play small or go big (If Bennett and Ejim are on the team). Murray obviously isn't a finished product at this point, but beyond CoJo he has to be the #2 PG on the invite list. I would think for Cadougan or Anderson to not even be invited they have to have a pretty good feeling that Murray will be able to play at the FIBA's.

[bozothepope]

Eddie Ekiyor, one of Canada's best high school players, charged with hit and run in Ottawa. Not good.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/eddie-ekiyor-ottawa-basketball-star-charged-in-hit-and-run-1.3185787

[frumble]

You can certainly get away with guys like Scrubb, Hanlan, Stauskas, Heslip, etc. playing 10 minutes/garbage time at PG, but what if CoJo gets in foul trouble or is hurt? It's a hypothetical situation, but you have to insulate against that possibility in the 12 man roster.

There is good depth at the 4/5 and while there may not be a great true SF option behind Wiggins, you can play small or go big (If Bennett and Ejim are on the team). Murray obviously isn't a finished product at this point, but beyond CoJo he has to be the #2 PG on the invite list. I would think for Cadougan or Anderson to not even be invited they have to have a pretty good feeling that Murray will be able to play at the FIBA's.

Yes, it could be that they aren't being reckless, but have received reliable word that he will be able to play.

If that is the case, I think I would still bring Hanlan as the other guard (Joseph and Stauskas as the starters, Heslip, Murray, and Hanlan as the bench).

I think people are underestimating how good Hanlan is (or reading too much into his poor Summer League). He brings a skill set that Stauskas, Heslip, English do not, and I see him as being highly probably to make the squad.


Re going big, I can't recall a single instance when Canada has gone big (had someone like Bennett or Ejim on the floor with two other bigs) ever. I just don't think it is something they are comfortable with, and I don't see it happening.

For those hoping for no Doornekamp, I think a more likely scenario is to have someone like Stuaskas or English as the nominal 3. E.g., Doornekamp doesn't make the roster, and English does. But I still see this as being less likely than Doornekamp making it.


All in all, its a very solid training camp roster. Better than I had expected.

[aminiaturebuddha]

Scrubb didn't play PanAms because he was playing Summer League.


Re the invite list, I am very glad to see Hanlan back with the program, but no true PG to backup Joseph seems odd. They are confident in the ability of Scrubb or Hanlan to run the point for the roughly 10 minutes a game Joseph will be out? Or they have NCAA/Kentucky approval to have Murray?

My best guess:

Olynyk Sacre
Nicholson Powell Bennett
Wiggins Doornekamp
Stauskas Heslip
Joseph Hanlan

That would leave Scrubb and English battling for the last spot, or it going to Murray if he is somehow available.

I'm actually relatively comfortable with Hanlan playing backup for 10 minutes a game, and certainly provides a better shooting / spacing option than Anderson or Cadougan would have. Going forward, good to have him in the program, especially as he'll be getting good international experience this year in Lithuania.

I would prefer Ejim to Doornekamp, but I don't think it'll make a big difference if they end up choosing the veteran.

Our front court depth is extremely impressive, and our shooting with Stauskas, Heslip, Olynyk, and Nicholson should be very helpful against good zone defenses. If Triano can fashion a functional defense out of this group, I like our odds. But of course, as you've mentioned, the one game semi final can be a crap shoot.

[Mr Gametime]

Rotation looks like this...

PG Corey Joseph, Jamal Murray
SG Jamal Murray, Stauskas, Heslip
SF Andrew Wiggins, Stauskas,
PF Andrew Nicholson, Anthony Bennett
C Kelly Olynyk, Robert Sacre

It's possible Ejim makes the rotation but Triano is Heslip's uncle so I think he'll play.

[mojo13]

Rotation looks like this...

PG Corey Joseph, Jamal Murray
SG Jamal Murray, Stauskas, Heslip
SF Andrew Wiggins, Stauskas,
PF Andrew Nicholson, Anthony Bennett
C Kelly Olynyk, Joel Anthony,

It's possible Ennis or Ejim makes the rotation but Triano is Heslip's uncle so I think he'll play.

Ennis? Joel Anthony?
Did you just get here?


Anywhoo....on a more serious note:
1) it is tough for me to not see English on this team. For all he has done for the SMNT and our need for veteran Fiba leadership I still think we need him. Despite his PanAms performance. At least we should know what we have with him. Stauskas is sort of an unknown and heslip seems better as an off the bench heat check, microwave guy. I'm not convinced heslip can guard anyone.
2) I like Hanlan as a back up PG, I think he brings something to the table. He is better than what he showed at summer league.
3) I will still bet against Murray playing. I am not convinced he can per ncaa regs. why bring him to training camp then? I think the thought originally was 14 guys at camp and now we see 16. Why not get him even more experience with the SMNT and have him around until he needs to get to campus.
4) do Ejim, Powell and Bennett all make the team? I do think it comes down to either Ejim or Doornekamp.
5) I think Sacre is an important piece here. Outside of him this roster looks a little soft. It is certainly young and inexperienced and I still worry we will get pushed around by more wily, older and stronger teams. We need some beef on this team when Wiggins inevitablly gets clobbered taking it to the hoop. The idea warms me up to Doornekamp to be honest. We need some guys to keep the Balkmans, Batistas, Ayons and like somewhat under control.

I am pretty happy with this roster as well. I am a little nervous about our ability to defend, but there is hopefully enough depth here that we can run teams pretty hard.

[UcanUwill]

Hanlan signed with Zalgris in Lithuania

http://www.sltrib.com/home/2817655-155/draft-pick-olivier-hanlan-signs-in

Good move for him. He wasn't ready but still has potential. I like this move more for him than going to the dleague where he would have continued to be a volume shooting guy.

Hopefully he rounds his game out and we see him again in a couple years

I am a Zalgiris fan, what can you tell about Hanlan, is he any good?

[frumble]

Re Murray's possible participation, Matt Jones of Kentucky sports radio thinks the most likely scenario is that he is in camp but not the tournament. I really don't think they would have him "go down there, play for a few and then return." Don't want to be playing the semi-final game with only 11 guys.

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/1/uk-chatter-what-we-are-hearing-around-lexington/

The one hushed comment you still hear around Lexington is Jamal Murray and his Canadian national team experience. He was added to the Canadian roster today for FIBA Americas and if he accepts (which he is expected to) for Training camp, he will miss time in Lexington. The bigger question is whether he will (after going through Training Camp) join the team if he makes it (which he may). If he does that, it puts UK in a tough spot…he would come to school for three days, then leave and there is a drop dead date that he must return by and it isn’t clear if FIBA Americas will be done. Some are suggesting that could mean he doesn’t play for the Canadian team…and that probably is the most likely scenario. He also could go down there, play for a few and then return. He could potentially get some kind of waiver to continue to play and then return later than normal due to the special situation. Or he could decide to play and then not come to Lexington at all. The latter is VERY UNLIKELY, but I do think it is still in the back of folks’ minds and it does make everyone want to get clarification of what the schedule will be and Murray’s plans. I expect that Murray goes to Training Camp, plays with the team and then skips the FIBA Americas…but we still don’t know for sure and I think everyone will feel better when we do.

[frumble]

Anywhoo....on a more serious note:
1) it is tough for me to not see English on this team. For all he has done for the SMNT and our need for veteran Fiba leadership I still think we need him. Despite his PanAms performance. At least we should know what we have with him. Stauskas is sort of an unknown and heslip seems better as an off the bench heat check, microwave guy. I'm not convinced heslip can guard anyone.
2) I like Hanlan as a back up PG, I think he brings something to the table. He is better than what he showed at summer league.
3) I will still bet against Murray playing. I am not convinced he can per ncaa regs. why bring him to training camp then? I think the thought originally was 14 guys at camp and now we see 16. Why not get him even more experience with the SMNT and have him around until he needs to get to campus.
4) do Ejim, Powell and Bennett all make the team? I do think it comes down to either Ejim or Doornekamp.
5) I think Sacre is an important piece here. Outside of him this roster looks a little soft. It is certainly young and inexperienced and I still worry we will get pushed around by more wily, older and stronger teams. We need some beef on this team when Wiggins inevitablly gets clobbered taking it to the hoop. The idea warms me up to Doornekamp to be honest. We need some guys to keep the Balkmans, Batistas, Ayons and like somewhat under control.

I am pretty happy with this roster as well. I am a little nervous about our ability to defend, but there is hopefully enough depth here that we can run teams pretty hard.

Good points.

1
I agree in the sense that it seems silly to dismiss English on the basis of 5 poor games at the PanAms. He has been a very good European pro for many years, including this past season. That being said, I can't see them cutting Stauskas or Heslip for English. Heslip has shot as well or better than English in FIBA play, had a very good 2014/2015 (D league and Europe), and, based on PanAms, is viewed by the staff more favorably. I don't see that changing in training camp.

Stauskas of course had an awful 2014/15, but I think that was partly due to circumstance and small sample size, and that he will make it on the basis of potential and pedigree.

But English can still make it. Assuming no Murray, it is essentially between English and Scrubb for that last guard spot.

2
Agree on Hanlan. He is a significant pleasant surprise for the roster. I would be quite disappointed if he didn't make the team.

3
Yes, some value to getting him training camp experience, even if he won't be able to play tournament due to NCAA.

4
I don't think Ejim, Powell, and Bennett make it. Slim chance Ejim beats out Powell or Bennett.
Re Doornekamp vs. Ejim, I think it is Doornekamp - reluctance to play a "big" at the 3, revealed preference for Doornekamp, need to have a bruiser, nephew factor, etc.

5
Sacre does fill a role. He may not get as many minutes as Powell or Bennett, but will be good to have him available for situations/matchups that may arise.
Yes, we do have a lot of guys not known for their D (e.g., Stauskas, Heslip, Nicholson, Olynyk, Bennett), but Joseph and Wiggins should be ok to good defensively.

[Potential]

When's Canada's first game?

[Dirk]

When's Canada's first game?

The FIBA Americas starts on the 1st of September for Canada vs Argentina. At 3:30PM EST.

Full schedule:
http://fibaamericas.com/mex2015/calendario.asp?w=1
http://fibaamericas.com/mex2015/cal_mex.pdf

[aminiaturebuddha]

On Murray, I tend to think he's just there for the training camp. And actually, maybe that's not such a bad idea, especially if the management thinks that he would be a useful player next year for the Olympics. Might as well get him more comfortable practicing and playing with guys who will be his teammates going forward.

The only potential hiccup with that is that if he's a one-and-done player and heading to the NBA next year, often incoming rookies (like Lyles this year) don't play for national teams in summer tournaments. But as this will be the Olympics (standard caveat: if Canada qualifies) maybe an NBA team would make an exception and release him to participate.

Getting a bit ahead thinking of next year, but in my view this is the most logical reason to have Murray participate in the training camp this year.

[Jstock12]

My favorite team has just signed Hanlan. Could any of you guys provide me with some feedback on him on whether he's capable of playing some backup PG minutes in Euroleague? His summer league stats are pretty terrible. Judging from those, he won't be more than a 3rd string PG for us.

[Dr Positivity]

Anywhoo....on a more serious note:
1) it is tough for me to not see English on this team. For all he has done for the SMNT and our need for veteran Fiba leadership I still think we need him. Despite his PanAms performance. At least we should know what we have with him. Stauskas is sort of an unknown and heslip seems better as an off the bench heat check, microwave guy. I'm not convinced heslip can guard anyone.
2) I like Hanlan as a back up PG, I think he brings something to the table. He is better than what he showed at summer league.
3) I will still bet against Murray playing. I am not convinced he can per ncaa regs. why bring him to training camp then? I think the thought originally was 14 guys at camp and now we see 16. Why not get him even more experience with the SMNT and have him around until he needs to get to campus.
4) do Ejim, Powell and Bennett all make the team? I do think it comes down to either Ejim or Doornekamp.
5) I think Sacre is an important piece here. Outside of him this roster looks a little soft. It is certainly young and inexperienced and I still worry we will get pushed around by more wily, older and stronger teams. We need some beef on this team when Wiggins inevitablly gets clobbered taking it to the hoop. The idea warms me up to Doornekamp to be honest. We need some guys to keep the Balkmans, Batistas, Ayons and like somewhat under control.

I am pretty happy with this roster as well. I am a little nervous about our ability to defend, but there is hopefully enough depth here that we can run teams pretty hard.

Good points.

1
I agree in the sense that it seems silly to dismiss English on the basis of 5 poor games at the PanAms. He has been a very good European pro for many years, including this past season. That being said, I can't see them cutting Stauskas or Heslip for English. Heslip has shot as well or better than English in FIBA play, had a very good 2014/2015 (D league and Europe), and, based on PanAms, is viewed by the staff more favorably. I don't see that changing in training camp.

Stauskas of course had an awful 2014/15, but I think that was partly due to circumstance and small sample size, and that he will make it on the basis of potential and pedigree.

But English can still make it. Assuming no Murray, it is essentially between English and Scrubb for that last guard spot.

2
Agree on Hanlan. He is a significant pleasant surprise for the roster. I would be quite disappointed if he didn't make the team.

3
Yes, some value to getting him training camp experience, even if he won't be able to play tournament due to NCAA.

4
I don't think Ejim, Powell, and Bennett make it. Slim chance Ejim beats out Powell or Bennett.
Re Doornekamp vs. Ejim, I think it is Doornekamp - reluctance to play a "big" at the 3, revealed preference for Doornekamp, need to have a bruiser, nephew factor, etc.

5
Sacre does fill a role. He may not get as many minutes as Powell or Bennett, but will be good to have him available for situations/matchups that may arise.
Yes, we do have a lot of guys not known for their D (e.g., Stauskas, Heslip, Nicholson, Olynyk, Bennett), but Joseph and Wiggins should be ok to good defensively.

I agree that Doornekamp could sneak in at backup SF.

Joseph, English, Hanlan
Stauskas, Heslip
Wiggins, Doornekamp
Nicholson, Bennett
Olynyk, Sacre, Powell

If he can cut it there Bennett plays at SF to allow both Sacre and Powell to be in the rotation

[mojo13]

My favorite team has just signed Hanlan. Could any of you guys provide me with some feedback on him on whether he's capable of playing some backup PG minutes in Euroleague? His summer league stats are pretty terrible. Judging from those, he won't be more than a 3rd string PG for us.

On Hanlan he is a tough read for me. However, I wouldn't read too much into his summer league performance.
He was undoubtedly one of the better scorers in the NCAA last year. He played on a really bad Boston College team in a very strong conference and was asked to carry the offensive load as a score first, ball dominate guard and did a great job with it. Despite being the go-to guy and getting much of the attention from defenses he was quite efficient.

This issue with the NBA is he is a little undersized as a SG at 6'3. The question has become for the Utah Jazz is can he be a more traditional pass first PG in the NBA. He seemed to struggle in summer league with a much reduced role and being asked to be more of a traditional PG.

If you need a 6'3 scoring guard, I think you will be pleased. He has a good handle, is quick, can get to the rim and has a good outside shot. If you need a pass first PG I am not sure he is there yet - at least not at an NBA level yet.

A few others here probably have a better take on Hanlan that me...

[NG15]

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