GoRaptors wrote:WaltFrazier wrote:GoRaptors wrote:
After the last attempted run to the Olympics, The Canadian Basketalll group felt continuity was an issue and demanded a 3 year commitment from the NBA players. If the players committed then they would be given first priority if/when Canada makes the Olympics for the Olympic roster.. Nick Nurse received the 3 three year commitment from about 12 NBA players. Mathurin, Nembard and Sharpe were not in the NBA at that time and were not offered the opportunity.
Those 3 were not included in the preliminary lineup. However, I read there were invited as spectators to attend the initial practices that started about 1 week ago.
I get that but I feel like they shouldn't have frozen that 3 year group. Each year they should add new young NBA stars into the mix especially as guys will drop out like Joseph and Brissett and maybe Murray. Then you have NBA players to fill in rather than guys from Europe
I can appreciate your position. However, adding new guys on a yearly basis would somewhat diminish the commitment of the European based players, who play an important role in qualifying, too as it gives them even less of a chance to make the team. And, once again I read that those NBA guys were invited to watch the practices.
I am fairly certain it didnt really unfold this way.
Yes guys like Sharpe, Mathurin and Nembhard were not even in the NBA when the 3 year cycle committment was asked for last year and, yes, they were not asked at the time. But there was plenty of chatter from Canada Basketball and the media that Nembhard and Muthirn are close to the program, wanted to play and would be invited to camp with an opportunity to make the team.
During their exit interviews with the Pacers they both said as much but also hemmed and hawwed about this being a big offseason and they may need to focus on that. It looks like that is what happened in the end - they likely turned down the camp invite.
Reality is it is very rare to get these young guys playing before they have their second contract, they are too focused on offeason improvement, health and eyeing that big generational wealth 2nd contract. SGA, Murray, Brooks etc never really played until that 2nd contract was landed. This is not always the case, but it is usually what happens.
Most following the team closely here never really expected Nembhard, Mathurin or Sharpe to play....but there was some wishful thinking about Nembhard and Mathurin because they are so publically supportive of Canada Basketball. Sharpe is more a quiter mystery man. Mathurin is not even needed here - Nembhard stings a little with CoJo and Pangos dropping out. It will sting more if Murray drops.
I think they could (should?) have had a bigger camp with more players, but I suspect they made it clear they were going with the Core 14 guys as priorities. And rightfully so, as they gave their mutual committment. And anyone else was only making the team if enough guys dropped out. I doubt established NBA guys like Boucher, Wiggins or Lyles (or Nembhard/Mathurin for that matter) likely didn't want to play that game and not be sure of their place on the team. Guys like the Scrubbs and TBH are probably cool with whatever happens thus the guys filling the holes are Winter Core guys.
Respect the NBA ego and everything that pulls these guys away from playing FIBA (health, contracts, family, NBA clubs, agents) and enjoy what we are seeing here.
This is still by far the best team Canada has ever floored.... any Canada team with SGA & Olynyk with NBA starter level guys around them is going to an excellent team. If Murray ends up playing this is a medal contender, but probably without him as well.
People need to chill out a little and just let it unfold.
Why do I feel this conversation is had every 2nd or 3rd page? At least it is not "wHeRe Is WiGgInS, HURRR!?!?"
