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

[Samurai_Raps]

I've never seen Scrubb play before this tournament. The Broadcasters from the livebasketball stream seem to love him.
From the few games I've seen he has no shortage of confidence. He looks for his shot a little too much, and some of his drives were out of control. He has a good 3 point range, better than I would have expected. He made some ill advised passes which led to turnovers. I think he's done decent job, and certainly doesn't look out of place. As he's completely developed in the Canadian system, I must say, I am somewhat encouraged.

[tout court]

Granted I haven't seen the games and it goes without saying I didn't see camp in Toronto, but how can Hanlan only have played 15 minutes over three games?

Stauskas seems to get his minutes regardless of how putrid his play is, and it doesn't appear that Sacre's game is at all suited to FIBA style play. Even Ejim has gotten some burn. With Murray coming up and Ennis injured maybe there is no future for Hanlan on this team but it would have been nice to see him get more of a chance at this tourney.

[JPHolling]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3eOe6rSYVM[/youtube]

pretty bad highlights...

[TheFutureMM]

Granted I haven't seen the games and it goes without saying I didn't see camp in Toronto, but how can Hanlan only have played 15 minutes over three games?

Stauskas seems to get his minutes regardless of how putrid his play is, and it doesn't appear that Sacre's game is at all suited to FIBA style play. Even Ejim has gotten some burn. With Murray coming up and Ennis injured maybe there is no future for Hanlan on this team but it would have been nice to see him get more of a chance at this tourney.

Agreed. If I'm the coaching staff the least I could do for Hanlan is give him some burn in this exhibition tourney just so I didn't waste his time by bringing him down here. Has he played more than 20 minutes in three games? At this point he might have wanted to just stay home if they intend to cut him from the FIBA roster.

[Samurai_Raps]

i agree too..and because of this..I think he'll see some serious burn in the last game against Puerto Rico. i think in general, the coaching staff have made good decisions.

[frumble]

Granted I haven't seen the games and it goes without saying I didn't see camp in Toronto, but how can Hanlan only have played 15 minutes over three games?

Stauskas seems to get his minutes regardless of how putrid his play is, and it doesn't appear that Sacre's game is at all suited to FIBA style play. Even Ejim has gotten some burn. With Murray coming up and Ennis injured maybe there is no future for Hanlan on this team but it would have been nice to see him get more of a chance at this tourney.

Could not agree more. Scrubb has gotten 69 minutes to Hanlan's 16.
It seems like they have already made up their minds.

I think it would be complete folly to cut Hanlan and go into FIBAs with only 4 guards on the roster, one of whom is unproven at this level and appears to be struggling.

[mojo13]

A few thoughts

Nik seems to be struggling with his shot and is a little sloppy with some TOs. But you can see it is there waiting to break out. His shot is so quick with a high release, and he is such a relatively tall guard in FIBA. If that shot hones in he will be very valuable. You can see how frustrated he is with some of the open misses - he knows he can hit those with his eyes closed. I actually think he is defending pretty well and doesn't seem to be hurting us there. We see how valuable Heslip is in his role. It would be deadly for Nik to be on his game at the same time.

I also noticed a few minutes with Nik and Heslip on the floor at the same time with Nik at the SF. That was interesting. Also saw a few minutes (perhaps last game) of Hanlan and Scrubb on the floor at the same time.

I was really behind Sacre being on this team for his size and bulk. I was nervous a big solid traditional center would have their way with Powell, Bennett or KO. Or what happens if KO is really hurt? I question whether Canada is big enough and can defend the paint, but then I am trying to think of whether they will face any big traditional post players? I am not sure if we will, Ayon is only 6'10 250, DR, PR, ARG don't seem to have anyone physically overwhelming. So maybe Sacre really isn't needed here? Bennett and Powell seem to be holding their own when playing the 5.

The announcer (Ex-PR national team coach) is in love with this Canadian team. Calling them the heavy favorites to qualify. Much is to do with the depth and how Canada doesn't let up at all with the bench in (the bench has outscored the starters in a couple games). He also was very complementary to our lesser known players like Scrubb and Powell. I hope Triano doesnt tighten up the rotation too much with the Fiba Americas - we really need to run deep, it is such an advantage for us.

Doornekamp is winning me over. Gritty, smart, plays within himself, knows his role.

Wiggins sure looks like he has a couple more gears in him, but looks to be holding off and letting other guys carry the load right now. I mention this as it gives me a sense of calm - knowing Wiggins can turn it up when needed.

Good to see DR and BR play with much more class than ARG. It gives me more respect to them.

I agree that Hanlan should stick. Assuming KO is healthy it seems a big is the wisest cut. The 5th guard seems needed with so many games in a short period. I sort of feel Ejim is the likely cut with a possible chance of Sacre. Ejim is valuable but seems redundant, Sacre has a real role (although it may not be needed).

[Patman]

I think Sacre is the one that will be cut. The depth chart will probably look as follows:

PG - Joseph / Heslip / Scrubb
SG - Stauskas / Scrubb / Hanlan
SF - Wiggins / Doornekamp / Ejim
PF - Nicholson / Bennett / Ejim
C - Bennett / Olynyk / Powell

[Samurai_Raps]

so glad we have FIBA ball and these exhibition games. I need my basketball fix during the offseason.

[jonny three time]

Aanyone have a link to tonight's box score/live stats? When I go to the FIBA live stats page it asks me to sign in, but when it's a direct link it works.

[frumble]

Aanyone have a link to tonight's box score/live stats? When I go to the FIBA live stats page it asks me to sign in, but when it's a direct link it works.

http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/18/16/21/18/73GQYC3zqmNJU/

I think Sacre is the one that will be cut. The depth chart will probably look as follows:

PG - Joseph / Heslip / Scrubb
SG - Stauskas / Scrubb / Hanlan
SF - Wiggins / Doornekamp / Ejim
PF - Nicholson / Bennett / Ejim
C - Bennett / Olynyk / Powell

I don't think they are comfortable with Heslip at point. In your scenario I think the guard/wing rotation is more like:
PG - Joseph/Scrubb/Hanlan
SG - Stauskas/Heslip/Hanlan
SF - Wiggins/Doornekamp/Stauskas

As for the bigs, I think they are largely interchangeable between PF and C, and that Olynyk and Bennett will get the most minutes, followed by Nicholson and Powell.

I agree that Hanlan should stick. Assuming KO is healthy it seems a big is the wisest cut. The 5th guard seems needed with so many games in a short period. I sort of feel Ejim is the likely cut with a possible chance of Sacre. Ejim is valuable but seems redundant, Sacre has a real role (although it may not be needed).

Well put. In a context-free situation, Ejim would be the better choice. But given the other 4 bigs on the team, Sacre has more value, even if he barely ends up playing.

That being said, I would not be surprised or that disappointed if the cut were Sacre. If it were Hanlan, however, I would be very disappointed.

[Samurai_Raps]

i think the live basketball stream is a great deal. 7.99$ for a month and get all these games plus the FIBA America games in Mexico. Well worth it IMO

[vi3t]

i think the live basketball stream is a great deal. 7.99$ for a month and get all these games plus the FIBA America games in Mexico. Well worth it IMO

how's the quality? still waiting to see if ballstream is gonna show any games otherwise I might do that

[JPHolling]

any chance we got a steam tonight

[frumble]

Olynyk again not in uniform. Per Wolstat, Heslip may not play either (took shot in eye yesterday).
Seems that at the least Hanlan will get a chance at the 2 tonight.

Starters are same as last couple games:
Joseph
Stauskas
Wiggins
Nicholson
Bennett

[Samurai_Raps]

i think the live basketball stream is a great deal. 7.99$ for a month and get all these games plus the FIBA America games in Mexico. Well worth it IMO

how's the quality? still waiting to see if ballstream is gonna show any games otherwise I might do that

stream is decent quality. I get less choppiness than my ballstreams account for some reason

[Samurai_Raps]

winner of this game will be the Tuto Marchand champion!

[Samurai_Raps]

Rick Pitino coaching Puerto Rico

[vi3t]

any chance we got a steam tonight

check the go to streaming site FRS, it's there today

[WhatYaWant]

any chance we got a steam tonight

check the go to streaming site FRS, it's there today

i
dont
see
it