Team Canada Basketball Thread V2.0

[frumble]

Anyone know what the TV options will be in the US? I see that ESPN has the rights, but I am not sure how many games they will be showing.

And I see that CBC.ca will be streaming the exhibition games. Does anyone know if the stream is available in the US?

Thanks.

ESPN3 usually shows everything streaming live on-demand via the ESPN App. Everything. You want China vs Tunisia? Its there. Or was for the Qualifiers.

CBC content is usually not accessible from the US, but you can always tunnel your way into Canada through a VPN. I typically use TunnelBear.
It is an added step, but usually works. I used to watch all the LiveBasketball.tv broadcasts chasing Canada's games that were blocked out in the US and Canada by Tunneling into Germany or Singapore or something.



Frumble - so you think Boucher is a non-factor here? He is a unique player that could give teams fits.

Thanks for the TV info.

I see Boucher as being a clear step below Olynyk, Birch, and Ejim. So, with no fatigue concerns because of the schedule, I wouldn't use him unless there was foul trouble to one of the big 3. Perhaps against Senegal if we are having trouble with their size - in a case like that maybe he slots in ahead of Ejim. Maybe I am not giving him enough credit - I haven't seen much of him since he left Oregon.

[Gday_eh]

Pretty gutted that we have had all the drop outs. Thought Murray would at least make us competitive with Australia and Lithuania.
Senegal will now be a much bigger challenge as well.

Paid big money to fly over an watch the games in Perth, and while I am still excited to see the boys play live, my expectations of a close game are lower than before. Delly, Mills and Inglis are really going to cause problems for our guards/wings while they have overall stronger talent upfront (Kelly will be the best big between the two teams).

We have a pretty smart team but lack the athleticism of many of the teams at the WC.

Nurse says he will try and get the best out of the players, but I can't see Heslip or Wiltjer playing any decent defense no matter who the coach is....

[Double Helix]

I’m proud of the fellas who are making the time. No slight to them and they deserve our respect. Hypocritical of us to not show loyalty to the guys who have been there battling for Canada while we expect the more talented guys to be there for us.

I also have respect for Jamal Murray for being there in camp. That’s something at least and he’s so important to our future that I’m not going to slight him.

I hate these agents though and how they seem to influence this.

[Raptorfan2012]

Lets see what we got and help flush out starters and a rotation.

Guards:
CoJo/Pangos (P. Scrubb)

Cory Joseph - lock as a starter and primary guard defender and either primary or secondary ball handler. I think he shares primary initiation duties with Pangos.
Kevin Pangos - I recall he seemed to handle the ball a little more last summer when on the floor with CoJo. Giving CoJo's defensive responsibility it seems he may play a similar role. Highly probable as the second starter.
Phil Scrubb - seems like the third guard of our new "Big three". A better secondary ball handler than lead and I assume is more of a SG when on the floor with Pangos or CoJo. I hope we ride these guys hard with heavy minutes.
Heslip - hopefully only for heat checks and doesn't get much run.
Best - as said above, he is probably more useful than Heslip due to his defense, but I hope he is more situational.


Forwards:
This can go any number of ways
T. Scrubb / Ejim / Olynyk
Ejim / KO / Birch
T Scrubb (Ejim) / Olynyk / Boucher


Tommy Scrubb - Tommy is seemingly a more natural SF (than Ejim), has played plenty of SF for Canada and our front court is now a little thin (physically), so I am wondering if Ejim is more a PF in this group? Tommy had a great season in Italy and was great for Canadian the Qualifiers, but he is a big step down from the AUS/LTU wings. I hope he can just play good defense on these guys and knock down the odd open shot.
Melvin Ejim - Is he a starting PF because of what is behind him? I am not sure what we do here. Olynyk and Boucher maybe better starting PFs here? People love to call him a SF but I don't think he is - he has hardly ever played minutes for Canada at SF, but he may need to here.
Kelly Olynyk - Obviously a lock to start and lead the offense, he seems to pair up with Birch perfectly fine, but we are quite thin with size behind them. I am not sue how we could ever have both these guys off the floor vs AUS or LTU and not get crushed inside (probably happens anyways).
Khem Birch - So perhaps Khem is the back up C behind Olynyk? (they can be on the floor together no problem and I can see them starting together, but we have no C depth here so it may be better to bring Birch in as the first big off the bench, when Ejim rotates out and leave him in when KO rotates out. We need to see heavy minutes with Birch but I am just not too sure the rotation and how he is most needed defensively.
Boucher - For you guys who watch the Raptors is Boucher just a C? Or can he play as a PF? Or does that even matter? He can't guard the AUS and LTU bigs on his own - I think we know that. So what is his role here? Does Olynyk or Birch have to be on the floor next to him at all times?
Wiltjer - His defense is atrocious and really needs to be a gunner off the bench - a taller version of Heslip.


So the forwards are more a question here...and I am really unsure how Boucher folds in here.

I think Nurse will try to use Boucher as a stretch 4. If Boucher cant even make this rotation, then Raptors might as well cut him and find someone else as well

[TrueNorth31]

Grange on Fan 590.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/590/prime-time-sports/canada-mens-basketball-team-cant-live-perfect-world/

[Red_Claw]

Giannis is quoted saying "I would exchange my MVP title for a gold medal in China".

Giannis has more pride then the drop outs combine.

[Double Helix]

Nationalism is a bigger propaganda tool in other countries than Canada. We might have the least nationalism propaganda of the entire world. Part of it is being America’s little brother and being subjected to their media constantly. Part of it is our multicultural embrace that allows for more flags from other countries every World Cup of Soccer to be seen on people’s cars than Canadian flags on cars on Canada day. This happens because we don’t make nationalism a big part of identity and instead allow and encourage people to share their cultures from the past here.

The soft nationalism can therefore be beaten by pushy agents who scare their players about injury risks and how little FIBA means to them in comparison to the Olympics and know our young guys will listen because only the Olympics truly inspires these guys more. Heck, the panam games might even resonate more with them from exposure in comparison to FIBA.

I’d hoped that the increase of NBA execs like Nash, and Grunwald and having the son of the President might all combine to make this historic but it still remains lower than it could be.

[gundysmullet]

Nationalism is a bigger propaganda tool in other countries than Canada. We might have the least nationalism propaganda of the entire world. Part of it is being America’s little brother and being subjected to their media constantly. Part of it is our multicultural embrace that allows for more flags from other countries every World Cup of Soccer to be seen on people’s cars than Canadian flags on cars on Canada day. This happens because we don’t make nationalism a big part of identity and instead allow and encourage people to share their cultures from the past here.

The soft nationalism can therefore be beaten by pushy agents who scare their players about injury risks and how little FIBA means to them in comparison to the Olympics and know our young guys will listen because only the Olympics truly inspires these guys more. Heck, the panam games might even resonate more with them from exposure in comparison to FIBA.

I’d hoped that the increase of NBA execs like Nash, and Grunwald and having the son of the President might all combine to make this historic but it still remains lower than it could be.

If we’re going to be completely objective and not politically correct, the truth is that Canada and Canadians in general or just not very patriotic. There has been an injection of one world globalism into the mindsets of many Canadians. Globalism sucks.

[And1Skip]

Highly recommend you watch this HoopsTalk with Nick Nurse, GG and Barrett. Though Harrison Sandford is a little awkward as a host since he knows nothing about Canada Basketball and he keeps suggesting Canada might win Gold makes it awkward to the guests who prob know that’s not gonna happen lol

Regardless, Nurse has amazing stories to tell. Always love listening to him speak.

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[Dubber12]

It is rough when young talented guys like Donovan Mitchell, Fox, Tatum choose to play for the US and Murray and SGA turn down Canada. The US doesn’t have its “first tier” guys playing but they have the top guys from the last few draft classes. I don’t understand why someone like SGA or Murray turns this down.

EDIT: this would have been so perfect for SGA and Murray because they are part of that same generation and Canada has a claim to some of the best up and comers. Team Canada sucks now. We are the second best country in terms of basketball talent but our FIBA ranking is abysmal. I think we have the worst buy-in of any country. It’s all very upsetting.

[radeonboy]

There really is no reason for guys like SGA and Powell not to go to the WC when in the US you have equivalent or a bit better young talent like Smart and Jaylen Brown going. If you’re not injured then what’s the excuse? Why were they playing in the OvO fest last week then?

Apparently Drake is bigger than Canada........

Idea for the future.

Give the reigns of Canada Basketball to Drake and watch the attendance of the Canadian NBA players start to stick.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Nationalism is a bigger propaganda tool in other countries than Canada. We might have the least nationalism propaganda of the entire world. Part of it is being America’s little brother and being subjected to their media constantly. Part of it is our multicultural embrace that allows for more flags from other countries every World Cup of Soccer to be seen on people’s cars than Canadian flags on cars on Canada day. This happens because we don’t make nationalism a big part of identity and instead allow and encourage people to share their cultures from the past here.

The soft nationalism can therefore be beaten by pushy agents who scare their players about injury risks and how little FIBA means to them in comparison to the Olympics and know our young guys will listen because only the Olympics truly inspires these guys more. Heck, the panam games might even resonate more with them from exposure in comparison to FIBA.

I’d hoped that the increase of NBA execs like Nash, and Grunwald and having the son of the President might all combine to make this historic but it still remains lower than it could be.

The counter to this argument is that hockey players rarely turn down an opportunity to represent Canada in major tournaments. These kids all grew up playing in tournaments for Canada in the summer, when they also had a lot to lose. There's a bigger story here that just won't get reported because our beat writers are enjoying the summer and just do the occasional vague venting on twitter.

[Mattd97]

Drake having a bigger involvement is actually a great idea that I'm surprised hasnt happened. Other than the fact that Canada basketball is a joke and so a great idea not happening is par for the course.
In hindsight I wonder if rana would have secured more participation than nurse. No way of knowing, and certainly there was hope nurse being an NBA winning coach and it made sense. But these guys all play in the program every summer growing up and then none want anything to do with the senior team

[Westside Gunn]

Nationalism is a bigger propaganda tool in other countries than Canada. We might have the least nationalism propaganda of the entire world. Part of it is being America’s little brother and being subjected to their media constantly. Part of it is our multicultural embrace that allows for more flags from other countries every World Cup of Soccer to be seen on people’s cars than Canadian flags on cars on Canada day. This happens because we don’t make nationalism a big part of identity and instead allow and encourage people to share their cultures from the past here.

The soft nationalism can therefore be beaten by pushy agents who scare their players about injury risks and how little FIBA means to them in comparison to the Olympics and know our young guys will listen because only the Olympics truly inspires these guys more. Heck, the panam games might even resonate more with them from exposure in comparison to FIBA.

I’d hoped that the increase of NBA execs like Nash, and Grunwald and having the son of the President might all combine to make this historic but it still remains lower than it could be.

If we’re going to be completely objective and not politically correct, the truth is that Canada and Canadians in general or just not very patriotic. There has been an injection of one world globalism into the mindsets of many Canadians. Globalism sucks.

not true. look at our hockey players.

since basketball players are children of recent immigrants it may take 2 or 3 more generations for families to have a real attachment to this country. everyones different some embrace more quickly than the others but others just love holding on to the past.

i still remember what matt bonner tried to do years back so he can play for team canada. i cant imagine any canadian going through all that trouble to play for their country like that

[Kid Canada]

Cojo/pangos
Scrubb/best
Scrubb
Ejim/Boucher
Olynyk/Birch

It’s still a decent team.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Nationalism is a bigger propaganda tool in other countries than Canada. We might have the least nationalism propaganda of the entire world. Part of it is being America’s little brother and being subjected to their media constantly. Part of it is our multicultural embrace that allows for more flags from other countries every World Cup of Soccer to be seen on people’s cars than Canadian flags on cars on Canada day. This happens because we don’t make nationalism a big part of identity and instead allow and encourage people to share their cultures from the past here.

The soft nationalism can therefore be beaten by pushy agents who scare their players about injury risks and how little FIBA means to them in comparison to the Olympics and know our young guys will listen because only the Olympics truly inspires these guys more. Heck, the panam games might even resonate more with them from exposure in comparison to FIBA.

I’d hoped that the increase of NBA execs like Nash, and Grunwald and having the son of the President might all combine to make this historic but it still remains lower than it could be.

If we’re going to be completely objective and not politically correct, the truth is that Canada and Canadians in general or just not very patriotic. There has been an injection of one world globalism into the mindsets of many Canadians. Globalism sucks.

not true. look at our hockey players.

since basketball players are children of recent immigrants it may take 2 or 3 more generations for families to have a real attachment to this country. everyones different some embrace more quickly than the others but others just love holding on to the past.

i still remember what matt bonner tried to do years back so he can play for team canada. i cant imagine any canadian going through all that trouble to play for their country like that

But like I said, these players pretty much all played for Team Canada growing up. They're used to representing their country. It's when they reach the pro level that they seem to drop out.

[the_other_guy]

Won’t surprise me at all if Canada doesn’t qualify for the Olympics.

New window system out of all countries, probably hurts Canada the most. Just lucky to be in world cup to begin with, but here you go, you got to main event, this is the time to show up with all the talent, and most guys arent playing, i feel for you guys.

Nothing to feel sorry about. I still consider us one of the best bball nations in the world right now. Maybe the best after the U.S.

Can't argue with opening night NBA rosters of 19-22 players - growing every year. So what? - no one in North America gives a crap about FIBA besides the couple dozen suckers that post here. Not much we can do about that.

Maybe we just need to get up to 30-40 NBA players before we can field a championship caliber team? At this pace it won't take too long.

Based on what? List of NBA players?

[TrueNorth31]

The hockey analogy is a poor one - when Canada goes to the World Championship turnout for the top players is generally poor ( Mitch Marner, Mark Giordano , Sean Monahan and several other top NHL players just this past season spurned Team Canada). To get a roster of 23 players they need to ask 70-80 guys to participate before they finally fill out the squad. Just like the States in basketball though we have so many NHL players we can actually manage with our tremendous depth to send a reasonable team.

Canadian basketball depth isn't quite there yet. The Americans have had massive defections as well, only 1 of the top 20 American born NBA all star players is actually playing , Kemba Walker. The Yanks have such a deep pool of players however, that they are still able to send a competitive team.

When it comes to the Olympics however , ( when Canada is actually playing ) the NHL participation rate really picks up ( they have the pick of the litter player wise, and of course there is massive media coverage and only a short one week commitment which really helps drive participation). Hopefully closer to the Olympics a similar level of interest for our NBA players occurs - we certainly need all hands on deck.

[ItsDanger]

The hockey analogy is a poor one - when Canada goes to the World Championship turnout for the top players is generally poor ( Mitch Marner, Mark Giordano , Sean Monahan and several other top NHL players just this past season spurned Team Canada). To get a roster of 23 players they need to ask 70-80 guys to participate before they finally fill out the squad. Just like the States in basketball though we have so many NHL players we can actually manage with our tremendous depth to send a reasonable team.

Canadian basketball depth isn't quite there yet. The Americans have had massive defections as well, only 1 of the top 20 American born NBA all star players is actually playing , Kemba Walker. The Yanks have such a deep pool of players however, that they are still able to send a competitive team.

When it comes to the Olympics however , ( when Canada is actually playing ) the NHL participation rate really picks up ( they have the pick of the litter player wise, and of course there is massive media coverage and only a short one week commitment which really helps drive participation). Hopefully closer to the Olympics a similar level of interest for our NBA players occurs - we certainly need all hands on deck.

Last year, the best player in hockey, Connor McDavid, played in a meaningless world championship. The 2017 roster was an all star lineup. I guarantee that if it was an olympic qualifying tournament, the best players would show up.

I think the scheduling is the biggest problem, 6+ weeks for a handful of games is insane. Look at CJ McCollum, he stated he would play this tournament if guaranteed an Olympic roster spot (after listing reasons why he isn't going to Woj).

[And1Skip]

Nigeria has a pretty good looking team on paper. Good thing its just exhibition games.

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