Team Canada Basketball Thread V3.0

[aminiaturebuddha]

Great to see Pangos back again. With him, Robertson, and Wiltjer, those are some great shooting options when we need to spread the floor. It would be interesting to put 2 of those guys on the court anytime Edey sees the floor, because with Argentina's relative lack of size this time, they'll need to pack the paint a bit against Edey.

Overall, while this "core group" thing hasn't been perfect, it's definitely giving us teams with a very good chance to win and put us in a position to qualify for the World Cup. That's probably more than can be said for qualifying teams in previous eras.

[BasketBrawlers]

Really curious to see if Murray will actually play in the games, or if he is just working out with the team for future tournaments

[mojo13]

Great to see Pangos back again. With him, Robertson, and Wiltjer, those are some great shooting options when we need to spread the floor. It would be interesting to put 2 of those guys on the court anytime Edey sees the floor, because with Argentina's relative lack of size this time, they'll need to pack the paint a bit against Edey.

Overall, while this "core group" thing hasn't been perfect, it's definitely giving us teams with a very good chance to win and put us in a position to qualify for the World Cup. That's probably more than can be said for qualifying teams in previous eras.

I don't know...the 2018 Summer WC Qualfier teams had a good NBA turnout. Olynyk, Powell, Brooks, CoJo, Birch, TT, (plus Pangos, Ejim). and even a young Barrett. Then no one showed for the 2019 World Cup.




Kenter - for the AmeriCup I'm almost certain the NBA guys drop and then we see the names from the previous list come in (Bandoo, Gray, Kigab, Kennedy etc). They will all be at Vic for a combined camp supposedly.

The real question is who else crossees over from this 15 to the AmeriCup list. If it is all the non-NBA guys it could be a decent team. Even a possible medal contender.
Wiltjer, Pangos (less likely), Robertson, TBH, Scrubb + Scrubb, Edey, Ejim, Young with some young bloods? I'd take that....

Almost the Winter Core team less Alexander but plus Wiltjer/Ejim?

[mojo13]

Really curious to see if Murray will actually play in the games, or if he is just working out with the team for future tournaments

He will not be playing. Nor will Dort, Brooks, RJ, Birch as stated in the release.

[aminiaturebuddha]

Great to see Pangos back again. With him, Robertson, and Wiltjer, those are some great shooting options when we need to spread the floor. It would be interesting to put 2 of those guys on the court anytime Edey sees the floor, because with Argentina's relative lack of size this time, they'll need to pack the paint a bit against Edey.

Overall, while this "core group" thing hasn't been perfect, it's definitely giving us teams with a very good chance to win and put us in a position to qualify for the World Cup. That's probably more than can be said for qualifying teams in previous eras.

I don't know...the 2018 Summer WC Qualfier teams had a good NBA turnout. Olynyk, Powell, Brooks, CoJo, Birch, TT, (plus Pangos, Ejim). and even a young Barrett. Then no one showed for the 2019 World Cup.

Yeah, you're right. I was mixing up my years, it wasn't the qualification, it was when it actually mattered, when the only NBA guys to show up were CoJo and Birch.

I can't imagine that will be as much of an issue this time around. I get the sense that if they qualify, the "committed" guys are doing so because they really want to play in the World Cup and Olympics. There will obviously be a few injuries and contract absences, but it should be better. I guess we'll see.

[mojo13]

Argentina cuts their WCQ roster down to 14 already.

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=tVtS4-XWF3SFQ7lVNt_7qQ




Notable absenses from the 24 man list are the Buck's camp invite Luca Vildoza (PG/SG), Francisco Cáffaro (C) (inj.), Gonzalo Bressan (C) & Nicolás Romano (PF).

With the an already thin front court and the loss of three depth bigs we are likely going to see them rely heavily on 19 year old prospect Juan Fernandez and mediocre Euro big Marcos Delia. Or we will see allot of small ball from Argentina (probably both).

I'd expect a starting line up something like:
Campazzo (5'10)
Bolmaro (6'6)
Deck (6'6)
Fernandez (6'9)(or Garino 6'7)
Delía (6'10)

Argentina went a lot to small-ball last couple games, not even bothering with a natural 5. So maybe see line-ups of even
Campazzo (5'10)
Bolmaro (6'6)
Deck (6'6)
Brussino (6'8)
Vaulet (6'6)

Either way, pretty good talent assembly by Argentina - almost all their best, but they have declined over the recent years. The 2019 World Cup silver was a dream run with them playing way over their heads, but still proof that when they are feeling it, they are really good. They still have enough to dance circles around Canada if they are flowing, but if Canada has at least the same team (or better) featuring SGA and Olynyk it should be enough to overcome the Argies at home. Lose either SGA or KO and I wouldnt be feeling too good.

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=-UCWftZs0ItA8fg4DMNGJQ


Máximo Fjellerup and Juan Fernandez are the two that didn't travel from their 14 man training camp roster. Fernandez in particular is an impressive 6'9, 19 year prospect (excellent for their youth teams) playing in Spains ACB, who would have seen minutes (maybe started).


Really hope we can dominate upfront. Olynyk and Powell are not known as great rebounders (KO is alright), but Brissett is a plus rebounder for his position. It will be key for Canada to win the board battle (significantly), Argentina's main chance here is to keep the rebounds close.


The Argies have been in training camp since August 4th (or 5th). This is going to be such a classic match up of a lesser roster, that is very well prepared vs superior talent that hasnt had much time together.

[mojo13]

Grange says Wiltjer, Brissett and Murray have yet to show up to camp (started yesterday). CoJo showed up today.

Front court depth is a real concern now.





Also they gave us this for the AmeriCup.

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=Nnzkl77W9vgAtYrT0_wbaA



Cool to see Banton there but outside of him and TBH this is a really bad roster of mostly CEBL and rookie pros.
Young made the BBL this season but after that if these guys are even pros (beyond the CEBL) it is in pretty low level leages.
FIBA ranking points for this are very similar to the WC Qualfiers.

[aminiaturebuddha]

Grange says Wiltjer, Brissett and Murray have yet to show up to camp (started yesterday). CoJo showed up today.

Front court depth is a real concern now.





Also they gave us this for the AmeriCup.

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=Nnzkl77W9vgAtYrT0_wbaA



Cool to see Banton there but outside of him and TBH this is a really bad roster of mostly CEBL and rookie pros.
Young made the BBL this season but after that if these guys are even pros (beyond the CEBL) it is in pretty low level leages.
FIBA ranking points for this are very similar to the WC Qualfiers.

Yikes on that AmeriCup roster. I'll be honest, there are a couple of names there I've never heard of, and quite frankly sound made up.

I guess it'll be good to get a chance to see some different guys, but I suppose we really aren't trying to be very competitive there.

As for the qualifiers - Wiltjer and Brissett are a real concern if they're not going to be there. We need Wiltjer's shooting and Brissett's defence and rebounding.

I know we weren't expecting Murray to play, but they're still supposed to show up, I believe. So if he isn't there, I hope that doesn't mean he's wavering on his "commitment" to the team (i.e. Denver telling him there's no way in hell they're letting him play for Team Canada anytime soon and risk another injury).

[mojo13]

Alright can we get a group effort on this AmeriCup team?
What do we have here? Please add-in and correct my mistakes

Obviously Banton and TBH are the big names here and likley lead in minutes. Young? Bandoo? Klassen? are they the next best here?

Something like?

TBH (Klassen)
Bandoo (Blair)
Banton (Kigab)
Young (Kennedy)
Posthumas (?)

[WuTang_CMB]

Americup doesnt mean anything anymore. no more qualifying with it. We cant even get guys to play on the top team for Worldcup/Olympics. We gotta worry about that first.

[mojo13]

Americup doesnt mean anything anymore. no more qualifying with it. We cant even get guys to play on the top team for Worldcup/Olympics. We gotta worry about that first.

Yep - the SMNT threw in the towel on this one. Basically said they don't want these games. No need to get more game together for the Core 14 - they got their chemistry and experience problem well under control. Or we shall see.

And part of this is on FIBA to make it more meaningful. Worth more ranking points? One Olmpyic birth maybe? Something more.

However these games are pretty much on par with the WC Qualifier ranking points, which do have meaning.

Canada's poor showing in the last Americup can be directly tied to the poor World Cup seeding and being placed in the "Group of Death" with Australia and Lithuania. We have made progress in the ranking since then, getting past the DR and PR and just a few points behind Venezuela. Even Brazil is catchable at 50 points ahead. This team will cause us to back-track, how far I dont know. Hopefully not below DR and PR once again.

[Mattd97]

How pointless has that "core" been, not even a year in to the project

[mojo13]

How pointless has that "core" been, not even a year in to the project

I don't know...I can see your position and feel that way sometimes. But they launched this thing in what May? June?

So far everyone has been at camp - expect Brooks for camp 1 and maybe Brissett and Murray here (not yet 100% certain). I'm not totally sold that being at camp and not playing does much for building chemistry and experience - but some people here do.

They have had 6 of the core 14 actually play in the July window and 8 of the 14 here. Yeah we expected a few more for these, but did anyone expect it would be a full 12? I was thinking 8-10 or so...not too far off.

Even with just 6 it was a dominant showing in the July window and you could tell SGA/KO/Powell/NAW are getting familiar with each other. Three of those are likely starters when the rest show up. It may be a little below expectations (but not too far), it is certainly not "pointless".

Yeah...I'd still don't think they are getting enough games and time together and I'd rather see them playing in the AmeriCup to get a few more good games together before the World Cup. But it seems Canada Basketball doesnt want or need the AmeriCup games and they know better than me. They seem to be looking at the World Cup as their time to really build a team with their real eye on the Olympics (I wish they were focusing on the WC just as much).

We likely see a longer and better WC camp next summer and real exhibition games leading up to it. But I doubt they will be really clicking in the early stages of the WC and that may come back to haunt them.

My only big fear is they may have excluded Wiggins, Boucher, Clarke etc from this by asking for the 3 year committment. If they don't get near full turnout - 11 or 12 of this 15 next summer (including at least three of SGA, KO, Murray, Barrett) then I think then what they are trying here becomes very questionable.

[Hair Canada]

Alright can we get a group effort on this AmeriCup team?
What do we have here? Please add-in and correct my mistakes

Obviously Banton and TBH are the big names here and likley lead in minutes. Young? Bandoo? Klassen? are they the next best here?

Something like?

TBH (Klassen)
Bandoo (Blair)
Banton (Kigab)
Young (Kennedy)
Posthumas (?)

I'm still hoping that maybe some guys from the list of 15 names join this group. Unlikely it would be any of the NBA guys. But maybe not too much to hope for guys like Robertson, the Scrubb brothers, Pangos, Edey, or Ejim? The fact that TBH and Young are on both of these lists doesn't bode too well for this option and maybe it's just wishful thinking. But who knows? Everything has been so opaque that I wouldn't be shocked if that ends up being the case.

If this list of 17 is the real deal, however, it just seems so random that it's hard to know what to think about it. I mean, if they are using it as a developmental opportunity, then why not have guys like Marcus Carr, Fardaws Aimaq, Charles Bediako, or the Miller brothers on the team? Or how about young NBA guys like Primo, Nembhard, Omoruy, Wigginton, or Lawson, since Banton is there? The list they have now (with the exception of Banton, and maybe also TBH, Gray, and Kigab) seems like a bunch of random fillers with little international experience, who are neither good enough to make a difference now nor have a developmental trajectory that might get them to be future contributors for the SMT in major competitions. There's a chance that they get embarrassed against teams like Argentina and Brazil. All in all, a bit embarrassing for a basketball country like Canada to put up a team like this.

As you were saying, this is not even a B or a C team. But it also doesn't excite much in terms of player development. Meh...

[mojo13]

Alright can we get a group effort on this AmeriCup team?
What do we have here? Please add-in and correct my mistakes

Obviously Banton and TBH are the big names here and likley lead in minutes. Young? Bandoo? Klassen? are they the next best here?

Something like?

TBH (Klassen)
Bandoo (Blair)
Banton (Kigab)
Young (Kennedy)
Posthumas (?)

I'm still hoping that maybe some guys from the list of 15 names join this group. Unlikely it would be any of the NBA guys. But maybe not too much to hope for guys like Robertson, the Scrubb brothers, Pangos, Edey, or Ejim? The fact that TBH and Young are on both of these lists doesn't bode too well for this option and maybe it's just wishful thinking. But who knows? Everything has been so opaque that I wouldn't be shocked if that ends up being the case.

If this list of 17 is the real deal, however, it just seems so random that it's hard to know what to think about it. I mean, if they are using it as a developmental opportunity, then why not have guys like Marcus Carr, Fardaws Aimaq, Charles Bediako, or the Miller brothers on the team? Or how about young NBA guys like Primo, Nembhard, Omoruy, Wigginton, or Lawson, since Banton is there? The list they have now (with the exception of Banton, and maybe also TBH, Gray, and Kigab) seems like a bunch of random fillers with little international experience, who are neither good enough to make a difference now nor have a developmental trajectory that might get them to be future contributors for the SMT in major competitions. There's a chance that they get embarrassed against teams like Argentina and Brazil. All in all, a bit embarrassing for a basketball country like Canada to put up a team like this.

As you were saying, this is not even a B or a C team. But it also doesn't excite much in terms of player development. Meh...

I don't think it is random at all and actually quite deliberate. Note that 16 of 17 are CEBL alumni (Banton the exception).
Non-coincidentally anyone and everyone that is part of the CEBL is crowing up and down on social media about this. Proves how great the CEBL is....Proves the purpose of the CEBL is working... etc... Really beating their chests and marketing off this. I'm sure this is some sort of collaboration between the SMNT and the CEBL.

But embarassing is right. I honestly think they get whipped by Uruguay and even Colombia.

[BigCountry]

I have tickets for tomorrow's game. I wish after paying $450 for 3 tickets there would be a better turnout for who's going to play for team Canada

[frumble]

Has there been any camp news the last couple days? Did Wiltjer, Barrett and Brissett end up showing (in non-playing roles for the latter two)?

Any word on the roster for tonight?

Also, does anyone know if the game is available on TV in the US? ESPN+?

Thanks.

[frumble]

The roster is out.

https://www.basketball.ca/team-canada-en/senior-mens-national-team-fibawc-window4

No Wiltjer.

Front court a little weak after Olynyk and Powell.

[mojo13]

TBH is the cut.

Read on Twitter

?s=21

[frumble]

I think they will defer to the NBA guys and have a starting five of:
Joseph
SGA
NAW
Powell
Olynyk

WIll be interesting to see who the first big off the bench is. Ejim, T. Scrubb, Young, or Edey. We will prob need at least 15 minutes from those guys (combined).