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

[frumble]

So Canada is not bidding on hosting a Qualifier - not good for our chances.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/2015/09/30/canada-basketball-wont-bid-on-olympic-qualifying-tournament.html

I hear Philippines and Serbia are looking to host. Italy and Mexico have officially applied to host.

Either way we are going to be in the same draw as one, if not two, of France, Serbia, Greece and Italy. Gonna be tough and the Americas was clearly our best shot.

Thanks for the update. Not surprising, but still disappointing.

Yes, Americas was clearly our best shot at qualifying for Olympics.

The chances of our golden generation of hoops talent ever playing in an Olympics or Worlds now largely rest on whether Euro pros like Cadougan, Pangos, Heslip, Rautins, Doornekamp, and Birch can get us through the new qualification process to the 2019 Worlds.

[PoundTown]

If healthy, I don't see why Cojo, Ennis, Stausakas, Wiggins, KO, Heslip, Ejim, Lyles, Powell can't play. That is still a pretty damn good team, with an improved Wiggins. Considering guys from other countries will have to sit out as well for possible contract issues and injuries and such, Canada might do alright with all their guys still locked into rookie contracts.

[mojo13]

If healthy, I don't see why Cojo, Ennis, Stausakas, Wiggins, KO, Heslip, Ejim, Lyles, Powell can't play. That is still a pretty damn good team, with an improved Wiggins. Considering guys from other countries will have to sit out as well for possible contract issues and injuries and such, Canada might do alright with all their guys still locked into rookie contracts.

I think frumble is alluding to the issue that much of the qualification process will now be during the NBA season and that no one thinks NBA teams are going to release or break for guys to play. The assumption is that the Euro leagues will release players and that the SMNT will be comprised of that pool of players (Pangos, Birch, Hanlan, K. Jospeh, D. Joseph, Scrubb, Doornekamp, Heslip etc.). Which is clearly less optimal for Canada as we clearly have all our best players in the NBA (other countries this is not really true).

For all we know the Euro teams won't even release our Canadian players and we are left trying to qualify with a college team!*
It is clearly a messy situation that impacts all countries - some more than others.

*It would be interesting to see what Carlton could do with some of the alumni added in. Team work and system could make up for lack of talent?

[frumble]

If healthy, I don't see why Cojo, Ennis, Stausakas, Wiggins, KO, Heslip, Ejim, Lyles, Powell can't play. That is still a pretty damn good team, with an improved Wiggins. Considering guys from other countries will have to sit out as well for possible contract issues and injuries and such, Canada might do alright with all their guys still locked into rookie contracts.

I think frumble is alluding to the issue that much of the qualification process will now be during the NBA season and that no one thinks NBA teams are going to release or break for guys to play. The assumption is that the Euro leagues will release players and that the SMNT will be comprised of that pool of players (Pangos, Birch, Hanlan, K. Jospeh, D. Joseph, Scrubb, Doornekamp, Heslip etc.). Which is clearly less optimal for Canada as we clearly have all our best players in the NBA (other countries this is not really true).

For all we know the Euro teams won't even release our Canadian players and we are left trying to qualify with a college team!*
It is clearly a messy situation that impacts all countries - some more than others.

*It would be interesting to see what Carlton could do with some of the alumni added in. Team work and system could make up for lack of talent?

Yes, that is exactly what I mean. Thank you.

In other news, the Bucks waived Jorge Gutierrez this morning. This clears their PG log jam a little bit, and is probably good news for Tyler Ennis. But the lion's share of PG minutes will still probably go to Carter-Williams and Vasquez. Bayless will probably also get some PG minutes.

Has anyone been following how Ejim and Bachynski have been doing in camp? What are their chances of making their teams?

[mojo13]

Below is what we are looking at post-2016 Olympics - this is the qualification process for the World Cup, which in turn will be the main route into the 2020 Olympics (7 teams from the Worlds go to the 2020 Olympics an and 4 from later Qualification tournaments).

The good news is the Top 7 teams in FIBA Americas qualify for the Worlds,

August 2017: FIBA Americas tournament. Meaningless outside of a chance to gain experience. Maybe the team on non-NBA guys that will play in Nov and Feb.

November 2017: Home and home WC qualification series. Euro guys and D-leaguers?

February 2018: Home and home WC qualification series. Euro guys and D-leaguers?

June 2018: Maybe we get reinforcement from NBA players who haven't advanced beyond a certain point in the play offs could play in this qualifying round. Like the WCs in Hockey?

September 2018: Home and home WC qualification series. A full strength team perhaps? Or maybe a blend with the Euro/D league guys for continuity.

November 2018: Home and home WC qualification series. Euro guys and D-leaguers?

February 2019: Home and home WC qualification series. Euro guys and D-leaguers?

September 2019: World Cup - Full team if we make it.

It should be noted that the final three qualifying rounds will likely be against tougher competition as that's the point where the qualifying teams from the initial four groups are combined into the two final qualifying groups. Whoever ends up playing in those games will have to be able to ensure a finish in the top 7 out of 12 qualified FIBA Americas teams. Top 7 is not a sure thing - someone is not going to make it from this group: USA, DR, PR, MEX, VEN, ARG, CAN, BRA. URG and PAN could surprise too.

So this is not a great format for Canada with clearly the bulk of our best players in the NBA. Teams like Venezuela and Mexico have most of their players outside the NBA and may have better chemistry and continuity. Brazil had a pretty good non-NBA team in the PanAms. Mixing and matching guys into each qualification series is going to be serious disadvantage. Also how do you get 2nd tier guys to commit knowing they will be replaced by NBA guys if we qualify?

I really don't understand why FIBA moved this direction - it seems like a mess.

[mojo13]

If healthy, I don't see why Cojo, Ennis, Stausakas, Wiggins, KO, Heslip, Ejim, Lyles, Powell can't play. That is still a pretty damn good team, with an improved Wiggins. Considering guys from other countries will have to sit out as well for possible contract issues and injuries and such, Canada might do alright with all their guys still locked into rookie contracts.

I think frumble is alluding to the issue that much of the qualification process will now be during the NBA season and that no one thinks NBA teams are going to release or break for guys to play. The assumption is that the Euro leagues will release players and that the SMNT will be comprised of that pool of players (Pangos, Birch, Hanlan, K. Jospeh, D. Joseph, Scrubb, Doornekamp, Heslip etc.). Which is clearly less optimal for Canada as we clearly have all our best players in the NBA (other countries this is not really true).

For all we know the Euro teams won't even release our Canadian players and we are left trying to qualify with a college team!*
It is clearly a messy situation that impacts all countries - some more than others.

*It would be interesting to see what Carlton could do with some of the alumni added in. Team work and system could make up for lack of talent?

Yes, that is exactly what I mean. Thank you.

In other news, the Bucks waived Jorge Gutierrez this morning. This clears their PG log jam a little bit, and is probably good news for Tyler Ennis. But the lion's share of PG minutes will still probably go to Carter-Williams and Vasquez. Bayless will probably also get some PG minutes.

Has anyone been following how Ejim and Bachynski have been doing in camp? What are their chances of making their teams?

I have been looking for news. Ejim seems to be on the edge and has a decent chance. The Magic cut two guys not named Ejim yesterday (Jordan Sibert PG and Keith Appling SG). Supposedly it is down to Ejim SF/PF , Deveyn Marble SG , Greg Steisma C, and Nnnana Egwu C for the last two spots. Ejim is the only one with a guarantee (partial $150K).

Bachynski, I think is more the long shot. He has been getting praise from the coaches as a guy who "knows his training camp role". That doesn't sound too promising, but maybe he catches on at the end of the bench?

[mojo13]

Whelp...so much for Ejim. Waived tonight.
At least he gets 150k for his troubles.
Wonder what is up now? D until something comes up in Europe?

[mojo13]

DraftExpress review on XRM
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Top-NBA-Prospects-in-the-ACC-Part-Eight-Prospects-16-20-5300/
Possible second rounder for 2016 draft but strong upside into the first round if he shoots meaningfully better than last year (shot just 28% of three pointers and 33.6% of all jump shots) and learns to take care of the ball better.

He is supposed to be a good shooter and is newly learning the PG role so those are realistic areas for improvement.

[mojo13]

....and Bachynski cut today.
Didn't see much of a chance there.

[Dirk]

Powell will likely get meaningful minutes to start the season with the Mavs(C/PF). He looked stronger in pre-season, some very athletic plays(finishing alley oops which is big part of Dallas game the last few years with Wright/Chandler) and rebounded well. Unfortunately, at this stage he just seems pretty much just a live active body, that is lacking better awareness(he pick up fouls very easily for instance) and really without establishing himself at a position. Doesn't shoot well enough for a PF and can't hold his ground on defense against bigger bodies. Needs to improve his defence and be a more consistent shooter. If he can just rebound the ball and hold his ground better on d he'll probably be in the rotation. Mavs can't be picky, they only have one legit Center right now, and even if he is better suited at PF, Powell will probably be called upon to play minutes there right away. There are a ton of minutes to be had at backup C/PF and he is up against players like Mejri(Tunisian 7 footer who moves well but is very skinny and will be pushed around easily), former Raptor great Charlie Villanueva, Jeremy Evans maybe... it really is a golden opportunity for him.

[Dr Comeback]

Whelp...so much for Ejim. Waived tonight.
At least he gets 150k for his troubles.
Wonder what is up now? D until something comes up in Europe?

Pretty sure these are D-League deals designed to get around the D-league salary limits.

150k and an handshake agreement you play for their D-league team with a chance to be called up if someone gets injured.

[mojo13]

12 teams have expressed interest in hosting the Olympic Qualifiers:

Europe: Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Serbia and Turkey
Americas: Mexico
Asia: Iran & Philippines

http://www.fiba.com/pr64-twelve-countries-from-three-continents-confirm-interest-in-hosting-2016-fiba-olympic-qualifying-tournaments

[frumble]

With Bachynski, Ejim, and Dalembert being cut over the past few days, and Anthony sticking, I believe there will be 12 Canadians on opening day NBA rosters:

Joseph
Ennis (out until mid Nov)
Stauskas
Wiggins
Bennett
Powell
Lyles
Nicholson
Thompson
Olynyk
Anthony
Sacre

I think that is down one from last year (added Lyles but lost Dalembert and Nash).

[Samurai_Raps]

Jamal Murray was one assist shy from a triple double yesterday in his first exhibition game with UK. Granted it was a weakling opponent, this has only ever been done once in the history of UK basketball. He had an amazing line of 22 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals. Damn..good things to look forward to

http://www.kentucky.com/2015/11/02/4118239/live-updates-kentucky-basketball.html

[Samurai_Raps]

Post game interview after his near triple double…is that a new logo Raptors Shirt i see????
He's coming to the Raps 2016!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTanKV1_5Fw[/youtube]

[UcanUwill]

Jamal Murray was one assist shy from a triple double yesterday in his first exhibition game with UK. Granted it was a weakling opponent, this has only ever been done once in the history of UK basketball. He had an amazing line of 22 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals. Damn..good things to look forward to

http://www.kentucky.com/2015/11/02/4118239/live-updates-kentucky-basketball.html

Wow, beast mode.

[Patman]

Jamal Murray was one assist shy from a triple double yesterday in his first exhibition game with UK. Granted it was a weakling opponent, this has only ever been done once in the history of UK basketball. He had an amazing line of 22 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals. Damn..good things to look forward to

http://www.kentucky.com/2015/11/02/4118239/live-updates-kentucky-basketball.html

So... he's the next Michael Carter-Williams?

[curryking3]

Post game interview after his near triple double…is that a new logo Raptors Shirt i see????

Lock him up!

Get 'er done Masai!

[thunderforce]

Team Canada to FIBA . Stop killing us man .

[Undefeated]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InmT9ZBqMg8[/youtube]