Team Canada Basketball Thread V3.0

[Kingsway_fan]

Would really love to see Edey get some minutes. Should be possible if the game isn't tight. Seems like a shame to have him on and not play him at all. Or maybe he'll join the AmeriCup team? (that would be nice)

He is really bad, sadly.

[Hair Canada]

Would really love to see Edey get some minutes. Should be possible if the game isn't tight. Seems like a shame to have him on and not play him at all. Or maybe he'll join the AmeriCup team? (that would be nice)

He is really bad, sadly.

That's quite harsh I'd say. He's a 20yo kid playing extended minutes against adults for the first time in his life after not playing competitive basketball for nearly half a year. Did he look rusty and rushed some plays? Sure. A step slow defensively in the P&R? Also true. A bit out of breath in the second half? No doubt.

With all that, he still had 15 points and 7 rebounds.

[WuTang_CMB]

Canada crush by 50

[Bobby Plump]

Baring injuries, I think Zach Edey will have a long professional career in Europe. His game doesn't fit with the modern NBA.

As for FIBA, I predict that Zach will go to town in the post against the Panamas of the world trying to match up to Edey with a 6 foot 7 inch or so center.

[libertyYYZ]

https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2022/08/30/canada-ousts-panama-to-come-one-step-closer-to-world-cup-berth/

The Canadian men’s senior basketball team came one step closer to a World Cup berth on Monday night, defeating Team Panama 106-50 in Panama City to improve to a perfect 8-0 in World Cup Qualifying. It was the largest margin of victory for the Canadians in this qualifying cycle, improving their overall margin of victory to a whopping +266 through eight games. While they were unable to technically qualify during this window, the Canadians have all but guaranteed themselves in next summer’s World Cup.

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[Kingsway_fan]

Would really love to see Edey get some minutes. Should be possible if the game isn't tight. Seems like a shame to have him on and not play him at all. Or maybe he'll join the AmeriCup team? (that would be nice)

He is really bad, sadly.

That's quite harsh I'd say. He's a 20yo kid playing extended minutes against adults for the first time in his life after not playing competitive basketball for nearly half a year. Did he look rusty and rushed some plays? Sure. A step slow defensively in the P&R? Also true. A bit out of breath in the second half? No doubt.

With all that, he still had 15 points and 7 rebounds.

7"4" 300 pounds... he needs to lose 50 pounds for starters... slow and stiff... really needs to lose serious weight and gain mobility ... no lift whatsoever

[mojo13]

Baring injuries, I think Zach Edey will have a long professional career in Europe. His game doesn't fit with the modern NBA.

As for FIBA, I predict that Zach will go to town in the post against the Panamas of the world trying to match up to Edey with a 6 foot 7 inch or so center.

I just want the kid to end up in a situation that is best for his development, and I think that is Europe.
If he makes the NBA, he'll at best be a situation role player and spend the vast majority of his time on the bench. At worst he bounces aroud as a 14th, 15th man, rarely sees minutes and doesnt develope much. In Europe he can find a spot where he is a focal point of his team - perhaps even the EuroLeague. Heck...Edy Tavares (7'3, 275) is one of the best players in the Euroleague making a few million a year because he gets to camp in the paint and be a proper giant.

Edey could be extremely valuable to Canada (even at the highest level of competition) for a long time if he really learns the FIBA game.

[PoundTown]

Baring injuries, I think Zach Edey will have a long professional career in Europe. His game doesn't fit with the modern NBA.

As for FIBA, I predict that Zach will go to town in the post against the Panamas of the world trying to match up to Edey with a 6 foot 7 inch or so center.

I just want the kid to end up in a situation that is best for his development, and I think that is Europe.
If he makes the NBA, he'll at best be a situation role player and spend the vast majority of his time on the bench. At worst he bounces aroud as a 14th, 15th man, rarely sees minutes and doesnt develope much. In Europe he can find a spot where he is a focal point of his team - perhaps even the EuroLeague. Heck...Edy Tavares (7'3, 275) is one of the best players in the Euroleague making a few million a year because he gets to camp in the paint and be a proper giant.

Edey could be extremely valuable to Canada (even at the highest level of competition) for a long time if he really learns the FIBA game.

Yup, hard to play in nba at 7’4”. Could be boban type, but I think becoming a beast in Europe could provide him most enjoyable playing career as well.

[TrueNorth31]

Hair Canada and Witt have it bang on regarding Edey. He may not have upper echelon NBA potential , but he certainly is a top flight FIBA player with the different rules for play in the key.

[mojo13]

Ok...time to shift to the AmeriCup. Despite the roster they are throwing at this - it still matters for FIBA ranking points.The pool play games are worth a little less than the WCQ games and the playoff games a little more - but all in, it is fairly similar.

First game is Friday vs Brazil, then Saturday vs Uruguay and then Colombia on Monday.

Final 12 roster are not set but in the prelim rosters - both Colombia and Uruguay are showing full rosters (I don't expect that will hold). Brazil is missing a few of their low level NBA players, but seem to have most of their rest. However they have also been playing poorly lately with losses to Colombia and Mexico. And may even be in trouble with WC Qualifying.

Argentina and USA seem to have the best rosters and are likely the easy medal favorites.



For Canada sighted (via social media) in Brazil already are:
- Jaylen Babb-Harrison
- Maurice Calloo
- Jahvon Henry-Blair
- Lloyd Pandi
- Chad Posthumus
- Marek Klassen

I assume on their way via Panama are TBH, Khalif Young, JV Makuna and Abu Kigab.

I have no idea if Dalano Banton is going to actually play. If someone sees anything, let us know. Devonte Bandoo would be another disappointment if missing.

Theoretically there are some ok players in Canada's prelim roster - Banton of course. TBH is a EuroCup calibre player. Khalif Young had a good season in Poland (mid tier league) and is moving to the BBL (lower top tier league) . Marek Klassen is a solid player in Poland. Jahvon Blair was quickly cut in Greece last season, but landed in Finland (mid tier) and did well. Devonte Bandoo looked pretty good in the CEBL and decent in the G last year.

Lots of fresh meat that just graduated from college in Pandi (USport POY), Abu Kigab (really good at Bosie St and had a nice NBA summer league), Calloo (was pretty meh at Oregon St), Thomas Kennedy (Looked really good in the CEBL - not sure if he is there). All the rookies are tough to get a read on.

Will maybe take a closer look at the roster when the Final 12 are announced.

[Kenter16]

I have no idea if Dalano Banton is going to actually play. If someone sees anything, let us know. Devonte Bandoo would be another disappointment if missing.

Canada Basketball would NEVER release his name if he wasn't actually playing. (sarcasm)

[frumble]

For Canada sighted (via social media) in Brazil already are:
- Jaylen Babb-Harrison
- Maurice Calloo
- Jahvon Henry-Blair
- Lloyd Pandi
- Chad Posthumus
- Marek Klassen

I assume on their way via Panama are TBH, Khalif Young, JV Makuna and Abu Kigab.

I have no idea if Dalano Banton is going to actually play. If someone sees anything, let us know. Devonte Bandoo would be another disappointment if missing.

Theoretically there are some ok players in Canada's prelim roster - Banton of course. TBH is a EuroCup calibre player. Khalif Young had a good season in Poland (mid tier league) and is moving to the BBL (lower top tier league) . Marek Klassen is a solid player in Poland. Jahvon Blair was quickly cut in Greece last season, but landed in Finland (mid tier) and did well. Devonte Bandoo looked pretty good in the CEBL and decent in the G last year.

Lots of fresh meat that just graduated from college in Pandi (USport POY), Abu Kigab (really good at Bosie St and had a nice NBA summer league), Calloo (was pretty meh at Oregon St), Thomas Kennedy (Looked really good in the CEBL - not sure if he is there). All the rookies are tough to get a read on.

Will maybe take a closer look at the roster when the Final 12 are announced.

Thanks for the recap. Do you think Veinot has a decent chance to make the team?

[SharoneWright]

He is really bad, sadly.

That's quite harsh I'd say. He's a 20yo kid playing extended minutes against adults for the first time in his life after not playing competitive basketball for nearly half a year. Did he look rusty and rushed some plays? Sure. A step slow defensively in the P&R? Also true. A bit out of breath in the second half? No doubt.

With all that, he still had 15 points and 7 rebounds.

7"4" 300 pounds... he needs to lose 50 pounds for starters... slow and stiff... really needs to lose serious weight and gain mobility ... no lift whatsoever

He's probably already worked on his body to stay here.. at age 20! He's working with the genes he's got! If he can improve positioning and defensive awareness, that would bode well for a future role. At 7'4", the last thing we need to ask of him is more "lift"! lol. On offence, just work work work to catch the ball deeeeep in the post. Then it's BBQ chicken.

[mojo13]

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Don't see a final 12 yet for Uruguay, Brazil or Colombia, but I expect a little more of this. Braian Angola is Colombia's best player dropping almost 20ppg in the WCQ. Hansel Atencia is their starting PG (13/2/3).

[Hair Canada]

He is really bad, sadly.

That's quite harsh I'd say. He's a 20yo kid playing extended minutes against adults for the first time in his life after not playing competitive basketball for nearly half a year. Did he look rusty and rushed some plays? Sure. A step slow defensively in the P&R? Also true. A bit out of breath in the second half? No doubt.

With all that, he still had 15 points and 7 rebounds.

7"4" 300 pounds... he needs to lose 50 pounds for starters... slow and stiff... really needs to lose serious weight and gain mobility ... no lift whatsoever

That's a poor and uninformed take. Reminds me of those who keep calling on Chris Boucher to put on another 30 pounds while knowing nothing about his diet, exercise regime, or basic body structure. There's nothing about Edey that suggests he's overweight. But even if he were, expecting that someone would just shed 50 pounds while knowing nothing about his current diet or exercise regime is just populist. For a 7'4, the boy carries himself quite well, runs the court, and has the stamina to stay on the court for 25-30 minutes per evening. He's not that stiff for his size, but even if he were, what does that have to do with weight? His mobility given his body structure is also quite reasonable and keeps improving.

[mojo13]

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[WaltFrazier]

Banton playing would be cool, and good experience for him. He's been working hard at Rico runs, go play for Canada now

[Hair Canada]

The final roster is out:

Blair, Calloo, Bell-Haynes, Babb Harrison, Gray, Bandoo, Young, Kigab, Posthomus, Pandi, Banton, Kennedy.

I've said in the past what I think about Canada deciding to take its cue from the US rather than the rest of the Americas (see Argentina) on this event. Quite disappointing and I think also ill-advised.

On the positive side, this is probably the best 12 out of the 17 originally advertised. There are also a couple of names here that are personal favorites from high school or college, like Banton, Kigab, Bell-Haynes, and Gray. A backcourt of Banton and Bell-Haynes, with Gray and Bandoo as backups, is a good start.

But this is far from the best team we could put for this event, even after deciding not to bother our core summer/winter guys. It's very inexperienced internationally and includes maybe 2 players that I would rank as top-60 Canadians. So more like an F team than a B or C one.

In fact, even if the decision is to use this as exposure for the CEBL, that's not terribly impressive. First, the ten leading scorers in the CEBL (10 games or more) are not even Canadians. Among the Canadians, I would say that the top 10 Canadians in the league this year were probably Robertson, Johnny B., Lawson, Mike, the Scrubb brothers, Best, Agada, Alexander, and Bandoo. Or these, only Bandoo, the youngest nd least experienced, is on this team.

One can think of many ways this team could have been more competitive. First, why exclude the entire core? I'm pretty sure at least some of the players (both NBA guys or the winter core) would be up to the challenge, happy to play big minutes for Canada, compete for a medal, and potentially boost their name. Second, if the core is out, there's still a plethora of international players with lots of FIBA experience who could add some depth and experience to this team. Guys like Hanlan, Johnny B, Morgan, the Enis brothers, Klassen, and McIntosh.

Finally, if the decision is to use this as a developmental opportunity (which in itself is quite questionable given that this is an official FIBA event with ranking points and some national pride), one could think of better options. If Banton can be there, why not other young not-yet-established NBA or fringe NBA guys? Imagine a team that includes (I'm excluding NBA rookies like Mathuring and Nembhard, as this is not realistic): Banton, Primo, Lawson, Wigginton, Kabengele, Shittu, Omoruyi, and Darling, sprinkles with some experienced shooters in Stauskas and Mulder, perhaps also including a few college guys like Edey, Bediako, and the Miller brothers. Now, that's a team I could have gotten excited about...

Oh, well, back to reality. I'll still try to watch the games, but this is a low-quality product that Basketball Canada chose to send to this competition.

[TheDunc]

Canada has come a long way in terms of talent, just too bad it seems like we'll never see the team at its full potential.

Just imagine for a second...

Murray/Banton/Primo
SGA/Mathurin/NAW
Barrett/Brooks/Dort
Wiggins/Clarke/Brissett
Boucher/Powell

That team could make the NBA playoffs and probably compete for an NBA title.