Team Canada Basketball Thread V2.0

[Jstock12]

Just heard about Joseph. Smh. Where's the patriotism? And why drag it on for so long if you knew all along you won't be playing.

[Jstock12]

Pangos had a bit of a tough season adjusting to a new system/role in Barcelona, but let's not forget he was the leader of Zalgiris in 2017-18 and together with Brandon Davies led them to their first Final Four appearance since 1999. Pangos is absolutely an elite PG at the Euroleague level, doesn't matter if he's on a stacked team with a lesser role (Barcelona) or the main guy (Zalgiris).

[OntZags]

Just heard about Joseph. Smh. Where's the patriotism? And why drag it on for so long if you knew all along you won't be playing.

AFAIK it hasn't been confirmed so we'll still wait and see.

And Joseph has more than paid his dues with Team Canada. I have zero doubt he wants to represent Canada in the Olympics. But this is a big commitment with a lot of pushback coming from your agents/teams.

I don't think he was stringing anyone along. I think the KO injury was what put him up in the air. Perhaps the teams' strong play in exhibition will coax him to rejoin the team with the goal of qualifying for the Olympics.

[Jstock12]

Just heard about Joseph. Smh. Where's the patriotism? And why drag it on for so long if you knew all along you won't be playing.

AFAIK it hasn't been confirmed so we'll still wait and see.

And Joseph has more than paid his dues with Team Canada. I have zero doubt he wants to represent Canada in the Olympics. But this is a big commitment with a lot of pushback coming from your agents/teams.

I don't think he was stringing anyone along. I think the KO injury was what put him up in the air. Perhaps the teams' strong play in exhibition will coax him to rejoin the team with the goal of qualifying for the Olympics.

Thanks for the info.

[OntZags]

Also has anyone heard whether Nembhard will actually be able to join the team? He's clearly a very useful asset for this squad but he'd be missing a bunch of school.

[Alfred]

Lol.

I'm just enjoying how Mirotic has reprimanded us on multiple occasions that being a starter means nothing in Europe (unlike the NBA), yet doubles back and points out Pangos is a backup for Barca. Good stuff....

Being a starter does not mean anything. But in NBA terms, how it was framed, like Pangos is their main point guard - that's incorrect. He's their second point guard clearly, after Heurtel. Non one cares who starts the games or not.

But it was framed like in NBA terms, like he's their lead point guard and he isn't. And since you follow him, you know he isn't. Perhaps luckily for Pangos, Heurtel got a serious knee injury and might miss the season, so that might give him more playing time. I wouldn't be surprised if they signed another point guard though.

Who starts the game in Europe, no one cares. But there are teams that have a clear main player at a position. Pangos was definitely the second point guard on Barca last year.

This isn't the same as when people here were constantly talking about it matters if you start or come off the bench in Europe - it doesn't. Not the same thing as just saying "Pangos is a starter" and leaving no context, since NBA fans always assume that means something in Europe.

So I'm not sure what your issue is...........

If Pangos starts in NBA = he's the team's best point guard

If Pangos starts in EuroLeague = he might be the best or he might not be the best

Why should people have an issue with someone pointing that out? Maybe Canadian basketball should drop the out of date NBA starters and bench already and join modern European approach of letting the coach have 100% control of match ups. The way the NBA does it is outdated and stupid.

You remind me of a poster that used to post on this forum that claimed he had an IQ of 200.

[Mattd97]

Just heard about Joseph. Smh. Where's the patriotism? And why drag it on for so long if you knew all along you won't be playing.

AFAIK it hasn't been confirmed so we'll still wait and see.

And Joseph has more than paid his dues with Team Canada. I have zero doubt he wants to represent Canada in the Olympics. But this is a big commitment with a lot of pushback coming from your agents/teams.

I don't think he was stringing anyone along. I think the KO injury was what put him up in the air. Perhaps the teams' strong play in exhibition will coax him to rejoin the team with the goal of qualifying for the Olympics.

Fox and bagley just dropped out too. Seems sacremento told everyone to not go. Except their only serbian..... interesting.... wonder who their gm is and where hes from....

[mojo13]

A couple people now on Twitter saying Doug Smiths report is wrong. Said they heard from CoJo personally.

Likely need a credible source beyond Smith to confirm this.

[Kenter16]

Also has anyone heard whether Nembhard will actually be able to join the team? He's clearly a very useful asset for this squad but he'd be missing a bunch of school.

The reports at the beginning of camp were saying he was not going to China because of his Florida commitments. I am hoping this has changed. If he drops out....
On the other hand if he wasn't coming he wouldn't be getting so much playing time. He's played a ton.

[TrueNorth31]

Also has anyone heard whether Nembhard will actually be able to join the team? He's clearly a very useful asset for this squad but he'd be missing a bunch of school.

The reports at the beginning of camp were saying he was not going to China because of his Florida commitments. I am hoping this has changed. If he drops out....
On the other hand if he wasn't coming he wouldn't be getting so much playing time. He's played a ton.

I imagine he went to summer school ( scroll back we've covered these issues in depth ) so as to stay eligible at Florida.

[TrueNorth31]

Well nuanced radio hit ( well except for the hot takes from Jeff Blair who's basketball knowledge is almost non existent ) from Grange on the Fan 590.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/590/prime-time-sports/canada-basketball-trouble/

He talks about the snowball effect occurring as one player dropping out leads to another backing out. As well he discusses how difficult it is for the Fiba World Cup and the Olympic Basketball Tournament to coexist ( something we've also discussed here ).

[TrueNorth31]

It should be pointed out there's some big differences between how the Australian basketball federation and Canada Basketball run their operations.

Probably the major difference is in revenue generation. By virtue of its geography Australia has been able to attract teams travelling to the World Cup to play exhibitions games down under ( the time difference between Australia and China is negligible ). In the coming week Australia will host 2 exhibition games against Team USA in Melbourne with the games being played at Marvel Stadium, home to Aussie Rules Football with a seating capacity of over 55,000 for basketball. Apparently the games sold out quickly ( at what appears to be an average $ 250 per ticket ) , but that was before Team USA had all their no shows. Now there's a lot of anger, some people feel duped, and there is no ticket refunds in the offing. Personally I think the Aussies will give a good show and hopefully folks will be happy.

Another major factor , is that because of these exhibition games and their geography, the Aussies have been able to stay on home soil with their families for the entire 4 week World Cup preparation cycle. Team Canada on the other hand was at home for only 5 days, before hitting the road for 6 long weeks of play and preparation.

The big difference though is that the Aussies get paid to represent their country. The Aussie Boomer players have a CBA agreement with their federation that includes the following.

Key features of the National Teams Collective Bargaining Agreement

- New revenue sharing model sees players obtain 25 per cent share from key events.

- Doubled daily payments for all camps and training days.

- Injury insurance; full contract insurance while on national team duties.

- New pregnancy and parental policy. A new best practice policy; a carer on the road for children up to 4 years old.

- Accommodation and travel; best practice travel standards, including business class and hotels.

- Protection of player image rights and royalty payments.

- A Past Player Program; a development program to care for and engage with past players.

- New standard player contracts implemented

- Increased funding for ABA Player Development and Wellbeing Program for all players.

- Scheduling notice; advance notice of a two-year schedule.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/basketball-australia-and-players-association-agree-to-inaugural-national-teams-collective-bargaining-agreement/news-story/8ef9becfb921397656f30f7372c8052c

The key factor is the revenue sharing model. Quick back of the envelope reckoning have ticket sales from the 4 exhibition games at over 30 million dollars, and that's before the selling of event advertising, media rights and concession revenue. I imagine the Aussie players will share a financial take of between 8-10 million bucks. Benefitting in the financial windfall of these games certainly helps attract Australian player participation. Now certainly a guy like Joe Ingles who makes $ 12 million/year isn't going to play just for some extra money - it's more of a feeling that your helping your less well paid teammates and the guys who got you through the qualification rounds have better playing conditions that helps drive turnout.

[BilboBanginz]

During halftime one of the Aussie broadcast crew members said that they have confirmed that Cory Joseph WILL be with the team in China.

Doug Smith in shambles?

[And1Skip]

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[And1Skip]

So why is Canada playing New Zealand two exhibition games in Sydney and there are actually people in the stands watching? Must have been cheap tickets or that they thought Canada was brining more NBA players.

And this NZ team is pretty mediocre. Their best players are some vet named Corey Webster and his little brother Tai? What happened to Steven Adams?

[And1Skip]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching team Canada played in these exhibitions bc of Nick Nurse's coaching. (though unfortunately we don't have enough real consistent shot makers...we need to hope these guys catch fire in China)

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[basketball royalty]

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Doug Smith record of being completely wrong remains impeccable.

[Oakville_Raptor]

Doug Smith needs to retire...

[And1Skip]

Doug Smith needs to retire...

I respect him and his career, but yes I think its time. The guy writes stupid articles for the Star after each Team Canada exhibition game and he's not even there and he didn't know where to get the box score until the middle of the first game in Australia. There's no interesting parts in his content. He just summarizes the game in 3-4 paragraphs. At least someone like Blake Murphy though not being there in person, would offer insight to other things like who's gonna make the team, etc.

[BilboBanginz]

Nembhard also may be out..

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