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

[Attonitus]

One thing about AD, the guy was playing for Canada before it was cool to play for Canada. Does loyalty matter? It should a little because we know the NBA guys are always going to have a hard time suiting up all the time.

If I was a betting man, because of the loyalty factor, AD will make the cut for the Olympics should they make it. It makes the program look better, it rewards a guy for being available since he was eligible,and is a good story. As a basketball talent, he likes to start the break and push tempo from rebounds, he makes the right pass from time to time, and can use his post game against smaller guys, and knows the defensive schemes that Smart runs. And his towel waving, "bench energy" is top notch. He's a Vet who won't be a distraction (when he gets the DNP's) and is good in the locker room from what I can tell.

There is a certain amount of "you gotta dance who you showed up with" sorta logic to it. But I Agree not the greatest basketball logic as he is likely isn't the most talented Canadian outside the NBA.

We need to get rid of this kind of thinking if we want to be on top.

Carrying guys you don't need because they are loyal makes no sense and actually sends the wrong message to the rest of the team. You are basically saying seniority is more important than merit, which might work down at the ford plant but it has no place in competitive sports. Ejm is a younger and more talented version of AD who brings the same "bench energy" you speak of.

We act like guys like AD and Carl English made some major sacrifice to play for the NT or that they had any success. In fact, they are lucky that the program was so weak and that they even got a chance. People forget it wasn't that long ago we were on the same level as stalwarts like Uruguay and Panama.

[Raptolicism]

Friday night Olympic qualifier for Team Canada. Oh-$@#k-yeah. Going to be awesome.

[Undefeated]

Hell of a summer for CB this year.

Aside from both their JMNT and JWNT, the rest of the age group all medaled. No doubt the SMNT will do the same.

[Too Late Crew]

One thing about AD, the guy was playing for Canada before it was cool to play for Canada. Does loyalty matter? It should a little because we know the NBA guys are always going to have a hard time suiting up all the time.

English basically got a pat on the back while guys like Rautins, Kendall and Anderson weren't brought in/available for whatever reasons. That makes the Doornekamp inclusion reek of nepotism. We get mad when the Lithuanian coach limited JV's playing time in favour of past their prime vets, so why should we let the inclusion of Doornekamp slide even if in the grand scheme of things it isn't going to be a make or break proposition? It's one thing for the coaching staff to have their views on Doornekamp, but for the media to slop it up is sad. There has to be accountability from someone.

Its also magnified because not only do you have Phil Scrubb a Carlton Alumni (even though he mght deserve a slot based on merit) but in 2014 you had Thomas Scrubb Phil's brother and Cartlon player on the team. Thomas Scrubb isn't close to be being an elite player in Canada. He's not even a borderline NBA player. When you see 3 Carlton players on the team over 2 years with 2 of them clearly not elite it starts to reek.

I'd almost be tempted to say that the CIS should start looking at it. I think one could say its an unfair recruiting tool "Hey recruit come play for Smart at Carlton if you do he'll put you on the National team"

[Rapcity_11]

One thing about AD, the guy was playing for Canada before it was cool to play for Canada. Does loyalty matter? It should a little because we know the NBA guys are always going to have a hard time suiting up all the time.

English basically got a pat on the back while guys like Rautins, Kendall and Anderson weren't brought in/available for whatever reasons. That makes the Doornekamp inclusion reek of nepotism. We get mad when the Lithuanian coach limited JV's playing time in favour of past their prime vets, so why should we let the inclusion of Doornekamp slide even if in the grand scheme of things it isn't going to be a make or break proposition? It's one thing for the coaching staff to have their views on Doornekamp, but for the media to slop it up is sad. There has to be accountability from someone.

Its also magnified because not only do you have Phil Scrubb a Carlton Alumni (even though he mght deserve a slot based on merit) but in 2014 you had Thomas Scrubb Phil's brother and Cartlon player on the team. Thomas Scrubb isn't close to be being an elite player in Canada. He's not even a borderline NBA player. When you see 3 Carlton players on the team over 2 years with 2 of them clearly not elite it starts to reek.

I'd almost be tempted to say that the CIS should start looking at it. I think one could say its an unfair recruiting tool "Hey recruit come play for Smart at Carlton if you do he'll put you on the National team"

I don't think Carleton needs any help recruiting.

It would also help your case if there was a SF (note, I said SF) that was better than Doornekamp not on the team.

[mojo13]

One thing about AD, the guy was playing for Canada before it was cool to play for Canada. Does loyalty matter? It should a little because we know the NBA guys are always going to have a hard time suiting up all the time.

English basically got a pat on the back while guys like Rautins, Kendall and Anderson weren't brought in/available for whatever reasons. That makes the Doornekamp inclusion reek of nepotism. We get mad when the Lithuanian coach limited JV's playing time in favour of past their prime vets, so why should we let the inclusion of Doornekamp slide even if in the grand scheme of things it isn't going to be a make or break proposition? It's one thing for the coaching staff to have their views on Doornekamp, but for the media to slop it up is sad. There has to be accountability from someone.

Its also magnified because not only do you have Phil Scrubb a Carlton Alumni (even though he mght deserve a slot based on merit) but in 2014 you had Thomas Scrubb Phil's brother and Cartlon player on the team. Thomas Scrubb isn't close to be being an elite player in Canada. He's not even a borderline NBA player. When you see 3 Carlton players on the team over 2 years with 2 of them clearly not elite it starts to reek.

I'd almost be tempted to say that the CIS should start looking at it. I think one could say its an unfair recruiting tool "Hey recruit come play for Smart at Carlton if you do he'll put you on the National team"

I don't think Carleton needs any help recruiting.

It would also help your case if there was a SF (note, I said SF) that was better than Doornekamp not on the team.

Kris Joseph maybe? Debatable.

[Alfred]

What channel will this be on?

[Rapcity_11]

Its also magnified because not only do you have Phil Scrubb a Carlton Alumni (even though he mght deserve a slot based on merit) but in 2014 you had Thomas Scrubb Phil's brother and Cartlon player on the team. Thomas Scrubb isn't close to be being an elite player in Canada. He's not even a borderline NBA player. When you see 3 Carlton players on the team over 2 years with 2 of them clearly not elite it starts to reek.

I'd almost be tempted to say that the CIS should start looking at it. I think one could say its an unfair recruiting tool "Hey recruit come play for Smart at Carlton if you do he'll put you on the National team"

I don't think Carleton needs any help recruiting.

It would also help your case if there was a SF (note, I said SF) that was better than Doornekamp not on the team.

Kris Joseph?

Is he with the program? (I have no idea)

[Pooh_Jeter]

Within Canada they don't need help, but in terms of guys who have D-1 scholarship offers in the States they could always use more positive press. Phil Scrubb hasn't looked out of place for Team Canada and if he made the NBA it would be a huge selling point for Carleton.

There should have been another point guard on this team, not a back-up SF. Wiggins, Stauskas and Ejim are all capable of playing the 3. Considering the complete lack of dynamic wing players in this tournament you could easily get away with playing a 3 PG lineup. In an emergency situation you could stick Bennett at the 3 too. I would take all of these options over playing Doornekamp.

[mojo13]

I don't think Carleton needs any help recruiting.

It would also help your case if there was a SF (note, I said SF) that was better than Doornekamp not on the team.

Kris Joseph?

Is he with the program? (I have no idea)

No one is quite sure. He was part of the 2013 FIBA Americas preparation then left the team under unexplained circumstances. Cut? Left for a contract? No one is quite sure. He was not part of the plans in 2014 or this year. He is still out there but I dont think has really found his footing playing in France. 2014 didnt seem like a good year for him and he was not on a very high level team (mediocre Pro-A team - JDA Dijon). He was pretty good in 2014 for Chalon-Sur-Saone though (Pro-A, Eurocup). I don't think he is near the level of player Ejim/Stauskas at the SF. But still maybe better than AD.

[Alfred]

As I've said before, I don't think Phil Scrubb is part of some CIS/national team conspiracy. He would have made the team regardless.

That leaves Doornekamp. Guys. He's the last dude on the roster -- if you've ever been a part of a team sport, you know how important it is to have a good locker room. I assume he's a good influence in there, otherwise I doubt he makes the roster. And it's not like he's been completely embarrassing, just kind of lacklustre.

[Rapcity_11]

Kris Joseph?

Is he with the program? (I have no idea)

No one is quite sure. He was part of the 2013 FIBA Americas preparation then left the team under unexplained circumstances. Cut? Left for a contract? No one is quite sure. He was not part of the plans in 2014 or this year. He is still out there but I dont think has really found his footing playing in France. 2014 didnt seem like a good year for him and he was not on a very high level team (mediocre Pro-A team - JDA Dijon). He was pretty good in 2014 for Chalon-Sur-Saone though (Pro-A, Eurocup). I don't think he is near the level of player Ejim/Stauskas at the SF. But still maybe better than AD.

Yeah, so a pretty big mystery. Not something to get worked up about for sure.

Also, Stauskas is not a 3 by any stretch. And Ejim is way better at the 4. So we're still left looking for a backup 3!

[Pooh_Jeter]

Kris Joseph?

Is he with the program? (I have no idea)

No one is quite sure. He was part of the 2013 FIBA Americas preparation then left the team under unexplained circumstances. Cut? Left for a contract? No one is quite sure. He was not part of the plans in 2014 or this year. He is still out there but I dont think has really found his footing playing in France. 2014 didnt seem like a good year for him and he was not on a very high level team (mediocre Pro-A team - JDA Dijon). I don't think he is near the level of player Ejim/Stauskas at the SF. But still maybe better than AD.

I don't think Doornekamp is any better than Jevohn Shepherd either. There may not be another wing superstar that is going to match-up with Wiggins in the near future, but there are a bunch of guys in the NCAA ranks who could be useful players in a couple years. Brooks, Pierre, Justin Jackson, and Gill-Caesar to name a few. That doesn't even mention any of the guards who could potentially slide over to the 3 in FIBA play either.

[Alfred]

Doornekamp is 29 and has been on the National team for a while now. Maybe the coaching staff felt that he would be a good influence on a very young Team Canada?

[Rapcity_11]

Is he with the program? (I have no idea)

No one is quite sure. He was part of the 2013 FIBA Americas preparation then left the team under unexplained circumstances. Cut? Left for a contract? No one is quite sure. He was not part of the plans in 2014 or this year. He is still out there but I dont think has really found his footing playing in France. 2014 didnt seem like a good year for him and he was not on a very high level team (mediocre Pro-A team - JDA Dijon). I don't think he is near the level of player Ejim/Stauskas at the SF. But still maybe better than AD.

I don't think Doornekamp is any better than Jevohn Shepherd either. There may not be another wing superstar that is going to match-up with Wiggins in the near future, but there are a bunch of guys in the NCAA ranks who could be useful players in a couple years. Brooks, Pierre, Justin Jackson, and Gill-Caesar to name a few. That doesn't even mention any of the guards who could potentially slide over to the 3 in FIBA play either.

Sounds like a future problem then...no need to talk about it now since those guys aren't ready. Raise your gripe when those guys can actually play.

Shepherd? Marginally better, at best.

As it stands now there really isn't a clearly better 3 to have on the roster.

[Undefeated]

Can't wait until the day Wiggins and RJ play together for the SMNT.

[Pooh_Jeter]

As I've said before, I don't think Phil Scrubb is part of some CIS/national team conspiracy. He would have made the team regardless.

That leaves Doornekamp. Guys. He's the last dude on the roster -- if you've ever been a part of a team sport, you know how important it is to have a good locker room. I assume he's a good influence in there, otherwise I doubt he makes the roster. And it's not like he's been completely embarrassing, just kind of lacklustre.

Scrubb is a solid player and certainly hasn't embarrassed himself out there, but it's still puzzling how Hanlan was given absolutely no chance to earn himself a spot on this roster at the Tuto Marchand Cup. Who was and wasn't invited is still a mystery too. This isn't a conspiracy in the effect that Scrubb and Doornekamp will be starting over CoJo and Wiggins, but it sure seems like Carleton guys are getting the benefit of the doubt given the coaching staff. Look at Plumlee with Team USA.

Also, Doornekamp is ahead of Powell and Sacre in the rotation right now and was ahead of Ejim until the Powell injury.

Please stop with the "He is a good locker room guy" stuff. I'm sure Doornekamp is a great dude and causes no problems in the locker room, but it isn't as though this is some magical skill that few possess. If that is the criteria for making the team just give Drake a call and ask him to suit up as the 12th man.

[Pooh_Jeter]

No one is quite sure. He was part of the 2013 FIBA Americas preparation then left the team under unexplained circumstances. Cut? Left for a contract? No one is quite sure. He was not part of the plans in 2014 or this year. He is still out there but I dont think has really found his footing playing in France. 2014 didnt seem like a good year for him and he was not on a very high level team (mediocre Pro-A team - JDA Dijon). I don't think he is near the level of player Ejim/Stauskas at the SF. But still maybe better than AD.

I don't think Doornekamp is any better than Jevohn Shepherd either. There may not be another wing superstar that is going to match-up with Wiggins in the near future, but there are a bunch of guys in the NCAA ranks who could be useful players in a couple years. Brooks, Pierre, Justin Jackson, and Gill-Caesar to name a few. That doesn't even mention any of the guards who could potentially slide over to the 3 in FIBA play either.

Sounds like a future problem then...no need to talk about it now since those guys aren't ready. Raise your gripe when those guys can actually play.

Shepherd? Marginally better, at best.

As it stands now there really isn't a clearly better 3 to have on the roster.

Ejim should be the back-up 3 currently and Doornekamp should have been left off the team in favour of another PG. That is the gripe people have. In the future Doornekamp's place on any National Team will be even further marginalized.

Also, in addition to my previous post to Alfred, Doornekamp has played more minutes than Nicholson too.

[Alfred]

As I've said before, I don't think Phil Scrubb is part of some CIS/national team conspiracy. He would have made the team regardless.

That leaves Doornekamp. Guys. He's the last dude on the roster -- if you've ever been a part of a team sport, you know how important it is to have a good locker room. I assume he's a good influence in there, otherwise I doubt he makes the roster. And it's not like he's been completely embarrassing, just kind of lacklustre.

Scrubb is a solid player and certainly hasn't embarrassed himself out there, but it's still puzzling how Hanlan was given absolutely no chance to earn himself a spot on this roster at the Tuto Marchand Cup. Who was and wasn't invited is still a mystery too. This isn't a conspiracy in the effect that Scrubb and Doornekamp will be starting over CoJo and Wiggins, but it sure seems like Carleton guys are getting the benefit of the doubt given the coaching staff. Look at Plumlee with Team USA.

Also, Doornekamp is ahead of Powell and Sacre in the rotation right now and was ahead of Ejim until the Powell injury.

Please stop with the "He is a good locker room guy" stuff. I'm sure Doornekamp is a great dude and causes no problems in the locker room, but it isn't as though this is some magical skill that few possess. If that is the criteria for making the team just give Drake a call and ask him to suit up as the 12th man.

Ejim you have a gripe with, but Sacre? They play completely different positions, and almost all of Canada's competition play small.

I'd agree if Doornekamp was embarrassing himself out there, but it's not like they're playing a man down while he's been on the court.

Maybe he is a good locker room guy that can add some leadership. Is that so absurd that it has to be completely written off?

[Alfred]

If your position is not that he was included on the roster, but is playing too many minutes, I could agree with that.