Team Canada Basketball Thread V2.0

[mojo13]

Some great stuff on The Athletic from Sam Vecenie as he talked to 50 coaches around the NCAA about this years draft prospects. I believe it is all free to access. May need to download their app but it is a great read.

On RJ Barrett
https://theathletic.com/822553/2019/02/25/nba-draft-college-coaches-poll-what-do-coaches-think-of-dukes-core-players-other-than-zion-williamson/

On Clarke, Alexander-Walker
https://theathletic.com/829479/2019/02/27/nba-draft-college-coaches-poll-the-potential-lottery-upperclassmen/

On Brazdeikis, Shittu, Dort
https://theathletic.com/839775/2019/02/28/nba-draft-college-coaches-poll-will-these-freshmen-stay-or-will-they-go/

Kind of confirms my current belief that RJ, Clarke, NAW and Dort are the only probable first rounders this year.
Simi needs way more work, Iggy is a sketchy NBA prospect athletism-wise.

[BilboBanginz]

http://www.espn.com/nba/draft/bestavailable

Updated ESPN Big Board:

2. RJ Barrett
17. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
19. Brandon Clarke
28. Lugentz Dort
71. Simi Shittu
83. Ignas Brazdeikis
100. Marial Shayok

[aminiaturebuddha]

http://www.espn.com/nba/draft/bestavailable

Updated ESPN Big Board:

2. RJ Barrett
17. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
19. Brandon Clarke
28. Lugentz Dort
71. Simi Shittu
83. Ignas Brazdeikis
100. Marial Shayok

I would be shocked that Kabengele didn't somehow make a Top 100 list, but I've learned to take these predictions and rankings with several heaping spoonfuls of salt. Beyond the top 10 or 15, they're usually just throwing darts blindfolded.

[BilboBanginz]

https://theathletic.com/843963/2019/03/01/sam-vecenies-nba-draft-big-board-update-newest-top-100-version-3-0/

Another Big Board, this one from Sam Vecenie. It's a little more friendly to the Canadians:

2. RJ Barrett
13. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
15. Brandon Clarke
29. Luguentz Dort
68. Simi Shittu
71. Mfiondu Kabengele
87. Marial Shayok

[TheFutureMM]

I haven't seen Dort play at all this year but the projections are looking like a bubble late first rounder / early second rounder. What's the play here? Declare, get feedback, see if you can get the 1st round nod, and if not, go back to school? Or do you gamble it as a potential second rounder?

[BilboBanginz]

Man RJ is having an incredible year.

Read on Twitter

[Mattd97]

man iggy has really dropped off on draft boards

[mojo13]

I haven't seen Dort play at all this year but the projections are looking like a bubble late first rounder / early second rounder. What's the play here? Declare, get feedback, see if you can get the 1st round nod, and if not, go back to school? Or do you gamble it as a potential second rounder?

Dort has such a beastly physique there is no question he can physically play in the NBA. People love his speed and quickness and has been a very impressive end to end defender. I think people will chance him in the late first and hope he fixes his shot and becomes a better playmaker.
I’ve seen a number of comparisons to Patrick Beverly due to his physicality and defensive pressure.

[mojo13]

Man RJ is having an incredible year.

Read on Twitter

I don’t know. There are still questions to me about his efficiency and decision making.
Yes his counting stats are epic because of his insane usage. Impressive nonetheless. But his adavanced stats around efficiency are not great.

No guarantee his game translates well to the NBA. But man, I hope it does.

Relatively speaking I have more confidence right now that NAW and Clarke will meet or exceed current NBA expectations. Granted the expecatations are much higher for RJ.

[Hair Canada]

Dwight Powell over the last 4 games (since he got inserted into the starting lineup and began getting big minutes):
18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, shooting 76% from the field and... 9/10 from 3-point range. This last one is really important because I think the stretch-4 (or stretch-5) might be a more natural position for him given his lack of rim-protection abilities. He didn't start the year well from the perimeter, but in 2019 he has 45% from 3, although he hasn't been taking many until lately. He's a good free throw shooter (close to 80%), so it seems he should be able to maintain a good 3-point shooting with a higher volume. I'm really glad for him. Always felt that he can be a starter in this league if he's given the chance.

Now let's add Olynyk to the picture. Over his last 5 (similar deal -- finally a starter with 30+ minutes):
20 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, 61% from the field and 60% from 3 (13 makes during this stretch).

How about this duo occupying the frontcourt for Canada in the WC? We won't have too much rim protection and toughness on D (Birch can help with that), but boy, what spacing and shooting for the FIBA game.

[Hair Canada]

So finally they decided to make the state of affairs at the helm of Canada Basketball official. Barrett Sr. has been "promoted" to the GM job he's been effectively doing for the last 5 years or so (maybe more?) and Nash moved aside to an advisor role. It's about time.

[And1Skip]

Read on Twitter

So Triano is not going to be the coach?

[aminiaturebuddha]

That would really be the best thing for all concerned is Triano moves on. I personally think that Roy Rana has earned the opportunity, given Canada's performance in the qualifying games, as well as his earlier track record at the international junior levels with some of the younger Canadian stars who are now becoming key players.

[mojo13]

That would really be the best thing for all concerned is Triano moves on. I personally think that Roy Rana has earned the opportunity, given Canada's performance in the qualifying games, as well as his earlier track record at the international junior levels with some of the younger Canadian stars who are now becoming key players.

100% agree.

And I hope Barrett's promotion comes with a 5 year retroactive pay raise.

[BilboBanginz]

Triano is just a living reminder of all the disappointing years the Senior team had from the early-2000s - 2018. Time to move on.

[Patman]

Man RJ is having an incredible year.

Read on Twitter

I don’t know. There are still questions to me about his efficiency and decision making.
Yes his counting stats are epic because of his insane usage. Impressive nonetheless. But his adavanced stats around efficiency are not great.

No guarantee his game translates well to the NBA. But man, I hope it does.

Relatively speaking I have more confidence right now that NAW and Clarke will meet or exceed current NBA expectations. Granted the expecatations are much higher for RJ.

I see RJ as a hybrid between Grant Hill and Bradley Beal. He will definitely be a very good NBA player. Superstar? Maybe. And yeah, his efficiency will likely not be good his first one or two years, but most rookies have the same issue unless they just score garbage buckets.

[TrueNorth31]

I think the Barrett announcement confirms what has been common knowledge for some time - that Nash has only been peripherally and symbolically involved with the program for some time now. I seriously doubt given Canada Basketball's rather precarious finances that Nash was getting any sort of salary ( they were in the red last season, but if you get into the World Cup and especially the Olympics all sorts of new revenue streams open up which in finding them is Glen Grunwald's main focus).

I'm fine with either Triano or Rana. I think the issue with Triano may well be availability. The World Cup finishes on September 15/19 and last year NBA training camp opened September 21 for some teams. Triano is the lead assistant with the Hornets and it's a very onerous and time consuming job being the #1 guy, so he may not actually be available. Ryerson on the other hand has given Rana lots of flexibility.

Another interesting aspect of all this is the length of the camp they are pondering. For the 2015 Mexico qualifications it was a 1 month commitment. Recently in an interview the team trainer said it would be a 6 week commitment next August. Doug Smith said the following in his blog,

"First, they have to find athletes who are committed, totally committed, to the program. You’re looking at, probably, a five- or six-week commitment – a week, at least, of a camp, an ambitious North American exhibition schedule, a week of games and acclimation on the other side of the world and more than two weeks of the tournament itself. That’s a huge time commitment, the most asked by the countries top players since the 2000 Sydney Games."

If they can play some revenue generating international games in Canada that would help ( the dream scenario is a home/away match-up with the States). The Americans are having some games against Australia pre tournament in Melbourne. Canada is also apparently going to Australia a week before the tournament for some games and to become acclimated to the general time zone.

Obviously the longer time commitment would preclude some players from taking part. It's a pretty long commitment , and for some players with young families it's a tough ask. Still in terms of balancing talent with team cohesion and being able to run your stuff competently I think it's a reasonable balance.

[NotMyKawhi]

I think the Barrett announcement confirms what has been common knowledge for some time - that Nash has only been peripherally and symbolically involved with the program for some time now. I seriously doubt given Canada Basketball's rather precarious finances that Nash was getting any sort of salary ( they were in the red last season, but if you get into the World Cup and especially the Olympics all sorts of new revenue streams open up which in finding them is Glen Grunwald's main focus).

I'm fine with either Triano or Rana. I think the issue with Triano may well be availability. The World Cup finishes on September 15/19 and last year NBA training camp opened September 21 for some teams. Triano is the lead assistant with the Hornets and it's a very onerous and time consuming job being the #1 guy, so he may not actually be available. Ryerson on the other hand has given Rana lots of flexibility.

Another interesting aspect of all this is the length of the camp they are pondering. For the 2015 Mexico qualifications it was a 1 month commitment. Recently in an interview the team trainer said it would be a 6 week commitment next August. Doug Smith said the following in his blog,

"First, they have to find athletes who are committed, totally committed, to the program. You’re looking at, probably, a five- or six-week commitment – a week, at least, of a camp, an ambitious North American exhibition schedule, a week of games and acclimation on the other side of the world and more than two weeks of the tournament itself. That’s a huge time commitment, the most asked by the countries top players since the 2000 Sydney Games."

If they can play some revenue generating international games in Canada that would help ( the dream scenario is a home/away match-up with the States). The Americans are having some games against Australia pre tournament in Melbourne. Canada is also apparently going to Australia a week before the tournament for some games and to become acclimated to the general time zone.

Obviously the longer time commitment would preclude some players from taking part. It's a pretty long commitment , and for some players with young families it's a tough ask. Still in terms of balancing talent with team cohesion and being able to run your stuff competently I think it's a reasonable balance.

I want rana


But we are good either way. I think RJ will lead us for years to come.

[frumble]

I haven't seen Dort play at all this year but the projections are looking like a bubble late first rounder / early second rounder. What's the play here? Declare, get feedback, see if you can get the 1st round nod, and if not, go back to school? Or do you gamble it as a potential second rounder?

Come out. I think professional leagues (G-league or Europe) would be better for his development than NCAA, and he may as well get paid. And he turns 20 in a few weeks. At 21 he would be a little old for the 2020 draft.

How about this duo occupying the frontcourt for Canada in the WC? We won't have too much rim protection and toughness on D (Birch can help with that), but boy, what spacing and shooting for the FIBA game.

And passing. I think they are our best two passing bigs.
They worked well together in the European exhibition tour a few summers ago and I would love to see them playing together in games that matter.

Another interesting aspect of all this is the length of the camp they are pondering. For the 2015 Mexico qualifications it was a 1 month commitment. Recently in an interview the team trainer said it would be a 6 week commitment next August. Doug Smith said the following in his blog,

"First, they have to find athletes who are committed, totally committed, to the program. You’re looking at, probably, a five- or six-week commitment – a week, at least, of a camp, an ambitious North American exhibition schedule, a week of games and acclimation on the other side of the world and more than two weeks of the tournament itself. That’s a huge time commitment, the most asked by the countries top players since the 2000 Sydney Games."

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

[mojo13]

Glen Grunwald was on the Fan 590 this afternoon. Sounds like the coaching situation is wide open and everything is on the table. No commitment to Triano when the host asked. No commitment to a Canadian coach either. They want the best coach they can get to put the players in the best situation possible. But admitted a Canadian would be “ideal”.

Also said they were going to pick the best TEAM possible for the WC, which is not necessarily the best players available.

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