Team Canada Basketball Thread

[TooBad]

I'd be surprised if Xavier Rathan Mayes gets a second contract at this rate his shot is not good enough for the NBA. He is a very good passer/dribbler and a decent defender but I think you need to be able to shoot at that position to survive in the NBA.

[duppyy]

I don't get the hype around this guy. I hope I am wrong but I don't see anything that makes him standout at the NBA level.

Can't speak for everyone, but for me, it's mainly his demeanor and attitude. He's a leader and he doesn't Shai away from the competition or deterred by the moment. I remember watching his games at Hamilton Heights high school last year, alongside NAW. Nickeil was clearly the more clasically talented and refined player. Very clean 3-point shot, with good mechanics, completely ambidextrous, good athleticism, and very fundamentally sound. Shai's game looked significantly wilder. His shot was awkward (very low and slow release; has made great strides on that already), he almost never dunked, and often seemed to finish with the wrong hand. And yet, he was just the better player. Played with great composure, made the right decisions, and again, was not afraid to take charge and attack the basket, while NAW often settled and waited for the game to come to him.

In the year since, Shai has made fantastic strides (and as the ESPN people and his coach/teammates note, even within the college season over last few months). And he's done the same in each of the last few years. He's a real late bloomer. I think there are two reasons for these improvements, which are also why I believe in him: the first is that he just works extremely hard, harder than everyone else according to Calipari. He seems to want it more. So this will allow him to continue building on his strengths and improve those aspects that still need improvement, like his shot. The second (probably related) reason is that he just has the "it" factor -- that mentality that separates the best players from the rest.

Now, he is somewhat limited physically and athletically -- in terms of burst, as well as having a wiry frame that is never going to be bulk. So likely he's not going to become an NBA star and the ceiling is not incredibly high. But how many end-of-lottery players do become stars? We have to be realistic about this. But I do think he'll be a very solid NBA player. Good defensive presence, intelligent play, charisma, and helping teams win. Not flashy, but efficient. A player that teams are just happy to have (including, hopefully, team Canada one day).

I'm not saying that he won't be a decent 3rd string/backup PG but I don't get the lotto predication. He's going to be a bust in all likely -hood if he goes there.

I see shades of Tyler Ennis with SGA. I hope I'm wrong though.

[Hair Canada]

Can't speak for everyone, but for me, it's mainly his demeanor and attitude. He's a leader and he doesn't Shai away from the competition or deterred by the moment. I remember watching his games at Hamilton Heights high school last year, alongside NAW. Nickeil was clearly the more clasically talented and refined player. Very clean 3-point shot, with good mechanics, completely ambidextrous, good athleticism, and very fundamentally sound. Shai's game looked significantly wilder. His shot was awkward (very low and slow release; has made great strides on that already), he almost never dunked, and often seemed to finish with the wrong hand. And yet, he was just the better player. Played with great composure, made the right decisions, and again, was not afraid to take charge and attack the basket, while NAW often settled and waited for the game to come to him.

In the year since, Shai has made fantastic strides (and as the ESPN people and his coach/teammates note, even within the college season over last few months). And he's done the same in each of the last few years. He's a real late bloomer. I think there are two reasons for these improvements, which are also why I believe in him: the first is that he just works extremely hard, harder than everyone else according to Calipari. He seems to want it more. So this will allow him to continue building on his strengths and improve those aspects that still need improvement, like his shot. The second (probably related) reason is that he just has the "it" factor -- that mentality that separates the best players from the rest.

Now, he is somewhat limited physically and athletically -- in terms of burst, as well as having a wiry frame that is never going to be bulk. So likely he's not going to become an NBA star and the ceiling is not incredibly high. But how many end-of-lottery players do become stars? We have to be realistic about this. But I do think he'll be a very solid NBA player. Good defensive presence, intelligent play, charisma, and helping teams win. Not flashy, but efficient. A player that teams are just happy to have (including, hopefully, team Canada one day).

I'm not saying that he won't be a decent 3rd string/backup PG but I don't get the lotto predication. He's going to be a bust in all likely -hood if he goes there.

I see shades of Tyler Ennis with SGA. I hope I'm wrong though.

Tyler Ennis? I don't really see that. Just because they are both Canadian PGs? They have a really different physical profile. If anything, Shai reminds me more of a Shaun Livingston or a Delon Wright.

As for him likely being a "bust" if taken as a late lottery, well, that really depends on how you define a bust. If we agree that he is not a top-10 pick (no one really says he is and he'll have to lead KY to the title as an MVP to even be considered there), then we're talking an 11-14 pick. Now, let's take a 10-year period to see what these picks usually come up with. I'll take 2005-2014, because these are years where, by now, we can already assess with some confidence how players turned out.

So we're talking 40 draft picks. Only one of these became an NBA star (Klay Thompson). About 7-8 were/are consistent starters for at least one season (players like JJ Redick, Markieff Morris, and Steven Adams). The rest are/were either role players from the bench (Olynik, McDermott, Patrick Patterson), or even worse, had short and uninfluential NBA careers of 3-4 years before disappearing to oblivion/Europe/China (Ty Hansborough, Earl Clarck, Terrence Williams, Anthony Randolph, Acie Law, Julian Wright, and many others). In fact, I think this last group is about half of the players on the list.

So if your definition of a bust is a late lottery pick who did not become a star, then I would say that's setting the bar really high (97.5% of the players fail to meet that). Statistically speaking, there's only about a 20% chance that these picks yield a solid consistent NBA starter. So if Shai becomes a good contributor, even from the bench (again, I'm thinking Delon Wright for example), I don't think we can think of him as a bust.

By the way, these statistics should also put in perspective the careers of players like Stauskas, Ennis, or Nicholson. We tend to be terribly disappointed by them and view them as "total busts", but in fact, they are just following the career path of about half (if not more) of the first-round draft picks. Yes, even Stauskas, who was picked 8th, just like Rafael Araujo, Joe Alexander, Jordan Hill, Al-Farouq Aminu, Terrence Ross, Brandan Wright, and Marquese Chriss.

[duppyy]

I'm not saying that he won't be a decent 3rd string/backup PG but I don't get the lotto predication. He's going to be a bust in all likely -hood if he goes there.

I see shades of Tyler Ennis with SGA. I hope I'm wrong though.

Tyler Ennis? I don't really see that. Just because they are both Canadian PGs? They have a really different physical profile. If anything, Shai reminds me more of a Shaun Livingston or a Delon Wright.

As for him likely being a "bust" if taken as a late lottery, well, that really depends on how you define a bust. If we agree that he is not a top-10 pick (no one really says he is and he'll have to lead KY to the title as an MVP to even be considered there), then we're talking an 11-14 pick. Now, let's take a 10-year period to see what these picks usually come up with. I'll take 2005-2014, because these are years where, by now, we can already assess with some confidence how players turned out.

So we're talking 40 draft picks. Only one of these became an NBA star (Klay Thompson). About 7-8 were/are consistent starters for at least one season (players like JJ Redick, Markieff Morris, and Steven Adams). The rest are/were either role players from the bench (Olynik, McDermott, Patrick Patterson), or even worse, had short and uninfluential NBA careers of 3-4 years before disappearing to oblivion/Europe/China (Ty Hansborough, Earl Clarck, Terrence Williams, Anthony Randolph, Acie Law, Julian Wright, and many others). In fact, I think this last group is about half of the players on the list.

So if your definition of a bust is a late lottery pick who did not become a star, then I would say that's setting the bar really high (97.5% of the players fail to meet that). Statistically speaking, there's only about a 20% chance that these picks yield a solid consistent NBA starter. So if Shai becomes a good contributor, even from the bench (again, I'm thinking Delon Wright for example), I don't think we can think of him as a bust.

By the way, these statistics should also put in perspective the careers of players like Stauskas, Ennis, or Nicholson. We tend to be terribly disappointed by them and view them as "total busts", but in fact, they are just following the career path of about half (if not more) of the first-round draft picks. Yes, even Stauskas, who was picked 8th, just like Rafael Araujo, Joe Alexander, Jordan Hill, Al-Farouq Aminu, Terrence Ross, Brandan Wright, and Marquese Chriss.

I wasn't talking about their game, just their NBA trajectory.

Performing well above expectations in college, carrying a popular college team and getting big praise from Dick to not being able to crack it in the big leagues(I don't see Ennis getting another contract after his time with lakers is up)

Again I hope I'm wrong.

[Mirotic12]

It seems like Wiltjer is now glued to Olympiacos' bench. He's not playing at all in EuroLeague, and has even been benched recently in Greek League. I guess paring him with a defense first coach just wasn't going to work out.

[mojo13]

It seems like Wiltjer is now glued to Olympiacos' bench. He's not playing at all in EuroLeague, and has even been benched recently in Greek League. I guess paring him with a defense first coach just wasn't going to work out.

Well with the plethora of PFs on their roster all now healthy this isn’t too much of a surprise. He was more brought in as a temporary replacement for Tillie wasn’t he? However it is disappointing he couldn’t supplant someone like Hollis Thompson who hasn’t played well most of the year. Great learning experience for Kyle regardless.


Anyways - here is last week of Canadian pros.
http://www.usbasket.com/Canada/news/526193/Kevin-Pangos-selected-the-top-Canadian-playing-abroad-in-last-week's-games

The highlight here is clearly Phil Scrubb continuing his fine and healthy form in the BBL. He is leading the league in scoring and has to be in the MVP conversation.

[TooBad]

I can't believe Bennett hasn't made his way back to the NBA yet.

Watch on YouTube

[aminiaturebuddha]

I can't believe Bennett hasn't made his way back to the NBA yet.

Watch on YouTube

That video shows the talent that he's always had. Unfortunately, he just doesn't use it consistently enough. Even in the G-League, he'll have games like that, and then games where he just doesn't bother showing up, misses a bunch of shots and makes no impact on any other aspect of the game.

Basically, at this point he's got to prove that he'll do it consistently. I wouldn't expect he'll get a call-up this season. It might take another half season of him playing this way consistently before someone gives him another shot in the big leagues.

[TooBad]

I can't believe Bennett hasn't made his way back to the NBA yet.

Watch on YouTube

That video shows the talent that he's always had. Unfortunately, he just doesn't use it consistently enough. Even in the G-League, he'll have games like that, and then games where he just doesn't bother showing up, misses a bunch of shots and makes no impact on any other aspect of the game.

Basically, at this point he's got to prove that he'll do it consistently. I wouldn't expect he'll get a call-up this season. It might take another half season of him playing this way consistently before someone gives him another shot in the big leagues.

He has definitely improved a lot too though since his NBA days. He used to routinely air ball everything and looked lost out there and now he's a legitimate three point shooter and seems to have a much better understanding of the game based on his passing and shot selection. His defense can still improve but at least he makes an effort now (I have only really seen him for Canada this year though). But yeah he is still not very consistent and he should work on his post game. But I still think worse players have gotten call up to the NBA.

[Hair Canada]

First minutes today for Boucher at GS? Fingers crossed.

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/warriors-chris-boucher-could-make-debut-wednesday/

[aminiaturebuddha]

XRM only lasted the length of his 10-day contract in the NBA. It looks like the Grizzlies are going to let it expire and instead sign Briante Weber.

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/xavier-rathan-mayes-10-day-contract-set-to-expire/

At least he got a taste, and now has a better idea of what he'll need to work on if he ever hopes to get another call-up.

[Alpha Mentality]

I can't believe Bennett hasn't made his way back to the NBA yet.

Watch on YouTube

Wow I think that's the best highlight video I have ever seen of him. Looked liked a monster.

[TooBad]

First minutes today for Boucher at GS? Fingers crossed.

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/warriors-chris-boucher-could-make-debut-wednesday/

Boucher got a Minute tonight...Another Canadian in the league haha. Although, Mayes is out which I predicted would happen (Awful shooter).

[TooBad]

I can't believe Bennett hasn't made his way back to the NBA yet.

Watch on YouTube

Wow I think that's the best highlight video I have ever seen of him. Looked liked a monster.

Yeah, He hasn't dunked like that since Minnesota. I thought he lost his athleticism TBH (I guess he was just fat and now he's in shape again).

[TooBad]

Memphis needs to sign AB. He still has a lot to work on but his 3 pt shooting should get him a job somewhere.

Watch on YouTube

[TheFutureMM]

Found a lot of good material over the last day relating mostly to March Madness...

Q&A with Rowan Barrett regarding our Canadian's in March Madness - nice little story featuring Shai.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/qa-canada-basketball-assistant-gm-canadians-march-madness/

The Ringer Article on Shai - nice read.

https://www.theringer.com/college-basketball/2018/3/15/17122176/shai-gilgeous-alexander-kentucky-calipari

SB article on "All-Canadian" NCAA teams. Crazy to think how far we've come where we now have articles like this.

https://www.midmajormadness.com/2018/3/10/17099034/take-a-look-at-the-2017-18-ncaa-all-canadian-college-basketball-teams

[Alpha Mentality]

Found a lot of good material over the last day relating mostly to March Madness...

Q&A with Rowan Barrett regarding our Canadian's in March Madness - nice little story featuring Shai.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/qa-canada-basketball-assistant-gm-canadians-march-madness/

The Ringer Article on Shai - nice read.

https://www.theringer.com/college-basketball/2018/3/15/17122176/shai-gilgeous-alexander-kentucky-calipari

SB article on "All-Canadian" NCAA teams. Crazy to think how far we've come where we now have articles like this.

https://www.midmajormadness.com/2018/3/10/17099034/take-a-look-at-the-2017-18-ncaa-all-canadian-college-basketball-teams

Shoutout to Jahvon Blair from Brampton. Ho Man!

[TheFutureMM]

Watch on YouTube

People were talking about Kentucky going as far as Shai takes them and he delivered tonight. Absurd stat line.

The real test will be against Arizona. Can't wait.

[Alpha Mentality]

Yea hes very disruptive with that length. He might be able to make it to the NBA with just his defence.

[TooBad]

Watch on YouTube

People were talking about Kentucky going as far as Shai takes them and he delivered tonight. Absurd stat line.

The real test will be against Arizona. Can't wait.

He looks much better in this video than the past ones I watched. He plays very controlled but he has a deceptive first step. I want to see if he can do this in the NBA. Kentucky only played 8 guys that game.