Team Canada Basketball Thread V2.0

And1Skip · Post #2281 » by **And1Skip** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:56 am

So Wiggins this week is in the Bahamas with most of his team and coaches for a mini-camp/retreat. So he chose this (to prep for a crucial year for him for his career) plus his kids camp in Vaughan last week instead of playing for Canada. The camp he could have re-scheduled, but the team retreat he wanted to be there for his new coach. Though, Josh Okogie elected to play for his country with corrupt team organizers and arguably he's just as important to the Wolves as Wiggins is.

Post #2282 » by **Calinks** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 4:54 am

Eh, kind of ranty so apologies.

I am so very disappointed with Team Canada. I'm not Canadian so it's not the same as some of you feel perhaps but I have always taken a liking to Canada and fantasized about USA vs Canada North American throw downs. It always seemed like a pipe dream but this summer I thought it could come true. Ever since Bennett was taken number 1 I started noticing the Canadian talent in the NBA. This summer I was struck with glee when I found out 3 of some of the top rookies drafted had Canadian ties (Barrett, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Brandon Clarke) before I even knew those three studs were Canadian I was hyping up team Canada to people.

I'd look at the early FIBA projections/power rankings and shake my head "People are sleeping on Canada." I seriously though they would contend for a top three finish in the World Cup. I think if 70 percent of Canada's talent showed up, I'd take them over any team outside the US. I have that much belief in the pure talent. I'm super familiar with Wiggins and pretty much have lost faith in him, that said I still have no doubt he could have games were he balled out and could be a wrecking ball on an international stage. Combine that will flat out ballers like Murray and SGA, sheesh. That team is a problem.

Lo and behold nobody has shown up. It's so frustrating. Its been a problem for me all summer too, the NBA summer league was the same thing, I was so excited to see all these rookies and half of the big names didn''t bother. A lot of that was contract issues (which is inexcusable for the NBA IMO seeing as they market summer league now) but it still left a really bad taste in my mouth. None of the Timberwolves rookies played and I was dying to see them in action.

These teams and agents just do not want their players doing ANYTHING basketball related unless it an official NBA game and or can earn them more earning power. Logically, it does make sense but it doesn't make it any easy on a fan to accept. We want to see these great athletes compete, we love basketball, and we want more of it. It's just too bad the agents, teams. and players don't feel the same.

At this rate I wont be shocked if we start seeing a ton of players skip out on pre-season. Everyone is min-maxing every aspect of their career just to get the big pay days. Eliminating all risks or non essential duties. Smart I suppose for your career but it kills so much of the passion and love for the game. Canada is poised to do BIG THINGS. I just hope to God they get to the Olympics and hopefully at least there, the big boys show up. I want to see Canada get a medal so I can be like "I told you so!" cause right now everyone thinks I'm a clown for hyping Canada up lol, they just don't know man. they will see, one day.

BilboBanginz · Post #2283 » by **BilboBanginz** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 12:25 pm

Read on Twitter

super_balls · Post #2284 » by **super_balls** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:08 pm

Read on Twitter

Welp looks like Brisset is out and possibly another big. :banghead:

And1Skip · Post #2285 » by **And1Skip** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:14 pm

super_balls wrote:

Read on Twitter

Welp looks like Brisset is out and possibly another big.

WHO???? on quick google search ( :banghead:

) he appears to be a wing/PF not a C. WTF, with Brisett down, they'd still have 12? Or is Corey not showing up? (and they just sent Notice home yesterday so doesn't make sense for him to come back)

BilboBanginz · Post #2286 » by **BilboBanginz** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:18 pm

I have no idea if this guy is legit or not but..

Read on Twitter

BilboBanginz · Post #2287 » by **BilboBanginz** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:25 pm

Read on Twitter

And1Skip · Post #2288 » by **And1Skip** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:48 pm

Read on Twitter

?s=20

BilboBanginz · Post #2289 » by **BilboBanginz** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:51 pm

Read on Twitter

duppyy · Post #2290 » by **duppyy** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:02 pm

These injuries don’t bode well long term. Teams won’t allow players to participate soon.

WellYouKnow · Post #2291 » by **WellYouKnow** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:14 pm

Read on Twitter

Kenter16 · Post #2292 » by **Kenter16** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:21 pm

Who spot is Conor Morgan taking? I get the idea of adding another big man. We need some more size. I guess it would be Best getting cut.
Where is Andrew Nicholson BTW? He plays in China, wouldn't he be the obvious add? I get he had a falling out with Triano (rumored), but it seems strange with a new coach that they wouldn't ask him.

frumble · Post #2293 » by **frumble** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:26 pm

I'm glad they brought in someone to replace Brissett - we needed another front court guy more than we needed a 7th guard.

So, assuming the Joseph reports are true, we have one more cut to make? Presumably Best or Keane and we end up with:

Birch
Ejim
Wiltjer
Klassen

T Scrubb
Morgan

Pangos
Joseph
Scrubb
Nembhard
Heslip
KK/Best

Two months ago would anyone have guessed that Klassen or Morgan would make our roster, let alone both?

mojo13 · Post #2294 » by **mojo13** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:41 pm

Morgan is a good add considering the circumstances. I just don't understand why it had taken so long. He should have been added the moment everyone started to bail and definitely once Olynyk went down.

Morgan played pretty good for Canada in the Qualifier windows. He had a decent solid rookie season in the ACB with Joventut and to my knowledge is returning for a 2nd year (always a key sign).

But if he was available he should have been added a long time ago. He is better than Klassen, but a different type of player. Klassen is more of a bigger, physical paint presence (defense and rebounding) that we desperate need versus Lithuania and Australia. Morgan provides more speed, athleticism and outside shooting that we seem to have lost with Brissett.

Once again - where the F is Nicholson? He could have been a real game changer here. He is a way better player than Wiltjer, or Morgan, or Klassen, or Brissett or even Ejim for that matter.

Mattd97 · Post #2295 » by **Mattd97** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:46 pm

frumble wrote:Two months ago would anyone have guessed that Klassen or Morgan would make our roster, let alone both?

What a ride

mojo13 · Post #2296 » by **mojo13** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:52 pm

Germany just handled Australia quite easily. Wont by 10 but it was never really and they led by more for most of the game.

Germany is a bit of a dark horse for me and I think very under rated, but perhaps this is another sign that the Aussie's are not that good. Further Bogut turned his ankle in the game and went straight to the locker room - time will tell how bad it is.

mojo13 · Post #2297 » by **mojo13** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 4:00 pm

And1Skip wrote:
super_balls wrote:

Read on Twitter

Welp looks like Brisset is out and possibly another big.

WHO???? on quick google search ( ) he appears to be a wing/PF not a C. WTF, with Brisett down, they'd still have 12? Or is Corey not showing up? (and they just sent Notice home yesterday so doesn't make sense for him to come back)

How can you call yourself a bball fan and especially a fan of Canada Basketball and not know the great Conor Morgan?

Just kidding.... he is a little more under the radar but likely one of our best young non-NBA bigs. He was a great CIS player and then started out in the NBL (Australia - NZ Breakers) and then last year moved to the ACB (Spain) with Joventut. He has succeeded beyond most peoples expectations and is really on the path to becoming a good Euro pro among the level of Ejim, the Scrubbs, Doornekamp, Pangos, Wiltjer, Rautins etc. He is not that far of a step down from any off those guys right now. Frankly before seeing Brissett play fairly well, I would have called for Morgan being on the team way, way before Brissett.

Kenter16 · Post #2298 » by **Kenter16** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 4:08 pm

One of my frustrations over this whole summer is evident again today... Where the F is Canada Basketball and their PR team? Why does this announcement come from his club team? Can't Canada Basketball post something on their own twitter account? It is very difficult to get anything out of them.

mojo13 · Post #2299 » by **mojo13** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 4:21 pm

Kenter16 wrote:One of my frustrations over this whole summer is evident again today... Where the F is Canada Basketball and their PR team? Why does this announcement come from his club team? Can't Canada Basketball post something on their own twitter account? It is very difficult to get anything out of them.

I am sure it comes down to being chronically under funded. The poor soul who is managing their social media probably has 5 or 6 other jobs at Basketball Canada. Not an excuse, but likely just reality.

Mattd97 · Post #2300 » by **Mattd97** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 4:41 pm

mojo13 wrote:
Kenter16 wrote:One of my frustrations over this whole summer is evident again today... Where the F is Canada Basketball and their PR team? Why does this announcement come from his club team? Can't Canada Basketball post something on their own twitter account? It is very difficult to get anything out of them.

I am sure it comes down to being chronically under funded. The poor soul who is managing their social media probably has 5 or 6 other jobs at Basketball Canada. Not an excuse, but likely just reality.

Out of university I interviewed with them for a $500 per month internship in their offices located in an etobicoke plaza/strip mall. The role organized all of their training camps. So the person trying to make sure Jamal Murray gets to training camp is making 500 bucks a month as a temporary intern.

I'm glad I didnt get it, cause the guy interviewing me was a Patriots fan and I would hate to think I appeal to a Pats fan