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

[aminiaturebuddha]

I haven't seen an official announcement. There's nothing on the Basketball Canada website (although I find they're not the best at updating info quickly). But there's also nothing at any of the other usual suspect Canadian b-ball websites like North Pole Hoops.

It would be strange for them not to take Bhullar, and I think that list is a little suspect as we'd already heard that Pierre was pulling out.

why would that be strange?

Maybe "strange" isn't the right word, but it would be a little surprising to me if Bhullar isn't named to the team for a few reasons. He's the only center, Triano has made positive remarks about him, and he was pulled away from his participation in NBA summer league, something I'm kind of surprised he would have done for only a couple of NT practice sessions if there weren't some kind understanding that he would also play in the games. But I guess we'll see.

[Mattd97]

i dont think theres any room on a competitive team for him, but agree to disagree

[aminiaturebuddha]

I don't disagree with that statement. I'm not saying that I think Bhullar "deserves" to be on the team necessarily, just that I'd be surprised if he isn't.

But I'm also not sure that I'd necessarily define the Pan Am team as a "competitive team". I mean, sure, we're trying to win, but it's not going to be like the FIBA Americas where winning is the only goal. There are probably other considerations (as has already been discussed in this thread with regards to Murray).

[Dr Comeback]

I think since FIBA rules there is no defensive 3 in the key Sim Bhullar could be really effective.

You should be able to build a really effective zone defense with sim bhullar anchoring the middle and Wiggins roaming on the wings.

[jonny three time]

Does that leave wiltjer as the only center on the team? Would Nicholson be the next best suited for the 5?

[frumble]

That list is a little odd. It seems right (and current) in that it has Heslip on and D. Joseph off (foot injury).

But the Pierre thing seems off. Its one thing for Wolstat to be wrong about something like "sources tell me player X will be available for the tournament," but the Pierre news was more straightforward - not a rumour about what might happen at some point in the future, but a simple statement that something did happen (someone left camp). I believe he reported it right after the July 12 media session, so presumably he picked up the news then.

And I agree with Buddha that it would be surprising if Bhullar did not make the team (not b/c I think he is particularly good, but because, as mentioned by Buddha, Triano had positive things to say about Bhullar, there may have been an implicit guarantee of a spot, there is no other true C option, etc.).


There was another basketball Canada PanAm camp media session earlier today. No news out of that from Grange or Wolstat or anyone else?

[mojo13]

Does that leave wiltjer as the only center on the team? Would Nicholson be the next best suited for the 5?

Triano was quoted today saying Anthony Bennett would play some C (but mostly PF). Draymond Green style!

I think Wiltjer may be a little weak to man the C - but who knows. Sim is a little slow anyways and cant play for long stretches, so you'll see a line-up for long stretches with no real center. Sort of like the u19 team with Chris Egi as the only big on the floor.

Starting line-up guesses anyone? I am a little perplexed - but my guess:
Anderson
English
Ejim
Bennett
Nicholson

Maybe start Sim? And Nicholson is the first guy in?
Sim is still there by the way - some video floating around today indicated he may have shattered a backboard in practice.

[TheFutureMM]

So... Uh... When are we getting the Pan AM roster? Should have been today.

[frumble]

Does that leave wiltjer as the only center on the team? Would Nicholson be the next best suited for the 5?

Triano was quoted today saying Anthony Bennett would play some C (but mostly PF). Draymond Green style!

I think Wiltjer may be a little weak to man the C - but who knows. Sim is a little slow anyways and cant play for long stretches, so you'll see a line-up for long stretches with no real center. Sort of like the u19 team with Chris Egi as the only big on the floor.

Starting line-up guesses anyone? I am a little perplexed - but my guess:
Anderson
English
Ejim
Bennett
Nicholson

Maybe start Sim? And Nicholson is the first guy in?
Sim is still there by the way - some video floating around today indicated he may have shattered a backboard in practice.

That sounds right to me. Although I can also see them going with Doornekamp over Ejim at the 3 (though I suspect both will get significant minutes, regardless of who starts).

With five games in five days, I think everyone should play a fair amount. The six just mentioned plus Heslip and Wiltjer should see at least 20 minutes a game, with a little less time for Bhullar, Murray, Cadougan, and Brooks (assuming they are the other four on the roster).


So still no word on final roster? I thought it was going to be announced yesterday?

I read that Joseph and Olynyk each attended part of camp.

In other news, seems that Pangos is looking at an offer from Gran Canaria. I don't see him picking up an NBA offer (especially not from the Mavs), and I think this would be a better move than D League.

[frumble]

Team announced. No Anderson. Wow. No other surprises.

I wonder if Anderson was hurt. Also wonder what this means for back-up point for FIBAs (assuming Joseph is starter)

http://press.olympic.ca/canadian-mens-basketball-team-announced-for-toronto-2015-pan-am-games

Anthony Bennett
Sim Bhullar
Dillon Brooks
Junior Cadougan
Aaron Dornekamp
Melvin Ejim
Carl English
Brady Heslip
Daniel Mullings
Jamal Murray
Andrew Nicholson
Kyle Wiltjer

[TheFutureMM]

Team announced. No Anderson. Wow. No other surprises.

I wonder if Anderson was hurt. Also wonder what this means for back-up point for FIBAs (assuming Joseph is starter)

http://press.olympic.ca/canadian-mens-basketball-team-announced-for-toronto-2015-pan-am-games

Anthony Bennett
Sim Bhullar
Dillon Brooks
Junior Cadougan
Aaron Dornekamp
Melvin Ejim
Carl English
Brady Heslip
Daniel Mullings
Jamal Murray
Andrew Nicholson
Kyle Wiltjer

I'm guessing Daniel Mullings was Devoe's replacement and Aaron Dornekamp was Pierre's? Otherwise pretty standard.

[TheBatman]

Guessing Triano is going to play Heslip at PG similar to the last fiba tournament.

[aminiaturebuddha]

That's good news for Brooks that he made the team. Maybe he can learn how to play without forcing his game because he won't be one of the primary options on the team. If he ever hopes to make the NBA, he'll probably have to learn how to be a role player and not be so reckless with the ball. Being on a team where he isn't expected to carry the scoring burden will hopefully help in that learning process.

[aminiaturebuddha]

I wonder if Anderson was hurt. Also wonder what this means for back-up point for FIBAs (assuming Joseph is starter)

I guess that would mean Cadougan has the inside track? Not a thrilling prospect really.

[TheFutureMM]

Any news whatsoever on Andy Rautins? This guy hasn't been involved with the program since 2013. Not that he is a game changer but he is very serviceable at the 2. Might need him once English departs...

[frumble]

I wonder if Anderson was hurt. Also wonder what this means for back-up point for FIBAs (assuming Joseph is starter)

I guess that would mean Cadougan has the inside track? Not a thrilling prospect really.

Yes, that is what I am afraid of. Unless Anderson stepped aside for PanAms because of short-term injury, or to give younger guys some experience, and will be there for FIBAs, we are looking at Cadougan as front-runner for the backup spot for FIBAs? (or even starter if Joseph not able to sort out insurance or other issues?!?)

Other possibilities? Pangos comes on board? Maybe a combo guard like Mullings or a 2 guard like Heslip plays point? (anyone know how much point Mullings played at NMSU?) Maybe Hanlan?

Will be interesting to see if Heslip or Mullings get any time at point at PanAms.

[Left Side Drive]

Is Trey Lyles Canadian and if so does he plan to be a regular on the senior team? Guy has American and Canadian citizenship and did play for Canada in FIBA U19 WC, but havn't heard much about him.

[mojo13]

Is Trey Lyles Canadian and if so does he plan to be a regular on the senior team? Guy has American and Canadian citizenship and did play for Canada in FIBA U19 WC, but havn't heard much about him.

Trey has been discussed many times on this thread.
Trey has been part of Team Canada in the junior ranks for many years and is fully expected to be part of the SMNT in the future. 1st round rookies typically don't participate in summer national team duties. I think playing for the Canadian u19 team locked him in for us. It is not like he would be good enough to ever make Team USA anyways.


re: jermaine Anderson - I'd speculate he stepped aside for this one. And will like be part of the Fiba team.

Re: Andy Rautins: I heard he is a little banged up from his season in Europe. But I'd speculate he will be part of Fiba Americas.

[aminiaturebuddha]

Other possibilities? Pangos comes on board? Maybe a combo guard like Mullings or a 2 guard like Heslip plays point? (anyone know how much point Mullings played at NMSU?) Maybe Hanlan?

Will be interesting to see if Heslip or Mullings get any time at point at PanAms.

Admittedly I didn't watch a lot of NMSU, but I don't think Mullings ever played much at the point at all. I'm not sure that's really part of his game.

Hanlan or Pangos would probably be decent options. I'm guessing that they'll both end up in Europe this year (I think Hanlan's disastrous summer league performance probably means the Jazz won't sign him) but I don't really know how that would work out in terms of being flexible to play for the FIBA Americas team.

[Undefeated]

Pangos already has an offer to play in Spain from what I read earlier today