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

[Jonn]

Can we still make fun of Brazil for blowing it at the world cup and burning their own flag on the street?

[LLJ]

Bennett makes me think of a Charlie V type big man, but Bennett may have a little more defensive upside (Charlie V is one of the worst defensive big men in the last 30 years, so it's probably not saying much here). I think at this point we've seen enough of him to probably assume he won't be ever be a star. While he didn't dominate the tourney (Nicholson probably was more consistent) he did show some glimmer of decent court awareness that he didn't through his first 2 years in the NBA. His defense against the pick and roll was encouraging during our comeback this game. Nicholson has this irritating habit of parking himself in the paint on defense and calling it a day, whereas Bennett actually attempted to move around on defense. Bhullar is too big and slow as a pick and roll defender.

We'll have Olynyk and Thompson as the starting frontcourt in future international tournaments but I could see some scenarios where it would be better to play Bennett over either because of his ability to step out and he may be slightly more mobile than Olynyk when in shape. Thompson is the best big for Canada on defense and offense but on offense his range is limited and he's a guy I could see parking himself in the paint and calling it a day. I could see him struggling in international games like Dwight Howard did. So there's that for AB.

[NBACommissioner]

Bennett won't be a star worth the #1 pick, but could he become a 16/9 type of PF in the NBA - yes

If he can do 16/9 and keep improving his d like he did this tourney that is basically a star. The most impressive thing I saw from Bennett was his new found Motor and defense..I'm obviously a big fan of AB but even I would admit his d needed was weak in the past and it looks like he has put in work because I thought he played very well on d this tournament (especially his awareness). Even in the 4th when he was gassed and struggling a bit he was still working his ass off and hustling for loose balls..

[NBACommissioner]

Bennett makes me think of a Charlie V type big man, but Bennett may have a little more defensive upside (Charlie V is one of the worst defensive big men in the last 30 years, so it's probably not saying much here). I think at this point we've seen enough of him to probably assume he won't be ever be a star. While he didn't dominate the tourney (Nicholson probably was more consistent) he did show some glimmer of decent court awareness that he didn't through his first 2 years in the NBA. His defense against the pick and roll was encouraging during our comeback this game. Nicholson has this irritating habit of parking himself in the paint on defense and calling it a day, whereas Bennett actually attempted to move around on defense. Bhullar is too big and slow as a pick and roll defender.

We'll have Olynyk and Thompson as the starting frontcourt in future international tournaments but I could see some scenarios where it would be better to play Bennett over either because of his ability to step out and he may be slightly more mobile than Olynyk when in shape. Thompson is the best big for Canada on defense and offense but on offense his range is limited and he's a guy I could see parking himself in the paint and calling it a day. I could see him struggling in international games like Dwight Howard did. So there's that for AB.

No we really haven't seen enough at all to rule out a 22 year old bigmans future.

[NBACommissioner]

I hope the FIBAs are this easy to stream for us. I assume CBC won't be broadcasting it, so we'll probably have to go to some shady sites to watch.

TSN or Sportsnet is picking up.

[LLJ]

Bennett makes me think of a Charlie V type big man, but Bennett may have a little more defensive upside (Charlie V is one of the worst defensive big men in the last 30 years, so it's probably not saying much here). I think at this point we've seen enough of him to probably assume he won't be ever be a star. While he didn't dominate the tourney (Nicholson probably was more consistent) he did show some glimmer of decent court awareness that he didn't through his first 2 years in the NBA. His defense against the pick and roll was encouraging during our comeback this game. Nicholson has this irritating habit of parking himself in the paint on defense and calling it a day, whereas Bennett actually attempted to move around on defense. Bhullar is too big and slow as a pick and roll defender.

We'll have Olynyk and Thompson as the starting frontcourt in future international tournaments but I could see some scenarios where it would be better to play Bennett over either because of his ability to step out and he may be slightly more mobile than Olynyk when in shape. Thompson is the best big for Canada on defense and offense but on offense his range is limited and he's a guy I could see parking himself in the paint and calling it a day. I could see him struggling in international games like Dwight Howard did. So there's that for AB.

No we really haven't seen enough at all to rule out a 22 year old bigmans future.

Maybe. If you want to make a bet and revisit this topic in 4 years I'd be willing to make a small wager he still won't be a star though.

I don't know why people always have to push every player they like who hasn't blossomed yet into a future star. Right now let's work on him becoming an actual consistent NBA rotation player first. It's like some people take it as an affront to their fandom if someone doesn't turn into a star. Stars aren't a dime a dozen you know. People don't always pan out...it happens. Just because someone is young doesn't mean the future is limitless. But just because someone doesn't become a star it doesn't mean you have to stop liking them either. I'm rooting for AB too, I really am. But I want him to show he can at least become a respectable NBA role player first.

[Undefeated]

Canada had that game if Triano would've pulled the plug earlier on Nicholson and play Ejim because their defense to start the second half was airtight by switching every PnR/DHO play Brazil was trying to run shutting down open seams where the ball-handler can just stop on a dime against a retreating big man defender for the pull-up jumper without Nicholson dropping back and the corner guys having to over-rotate to pick up the screener diving to the rim inevitably giving up the corner 3.

Thompson is the best big for Canada on defense and offense but on offense his range is limited and he's a guy I could see parking himself in the paint and calling it a day. I could see him struggling in international games like Dwight Howard did. So there's that for AB.

TT has shown he can show-&-recover as well as even switching onto guards like Curry and mirror their move step for step during the Finals, so he isn't exactly like Nicholson/Hibbert-type screen defenders who are forced to drop back because they don't have the mobility to slide with the guard. I think Zach Lowe brought this up as well in one of his articles too. A line-up with CoJo/Wiggins/AB/TT with their ability to switch everything would give offenses a lot of trouble.

Every Golden State playoff opponent has tried switching bigs onto Curry to prevent seams from opening, but Thompson is the first enemy big since Anthony Davis with the quickness to (maybe) hold his own. Thompson, always crouched in a perfect stance, might be even better than Davis at this discrete skill.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/seven-questions-that-will-shape-the-nba-finals/

[frumble]

Thompson is the best big for Canada on defense and offense but on offense his range is limited and he's a guy I could see parking himself in the paint and calling it a day.

Agree on the defense but not on the offense. I think Oynyk is definitely better offensively and that a decent argument can be made that Powell, Nicholson, and Bennett are better offensively.

[LLJ]

I agree Undefeated. I did see TT in the Finals and he looked very good defending the pick and roll but I still don't really trust him yet because he seems to still have lapses in awareness. During the regular season and the playoffs he was very up and down, but sometimes his lapses were negated by his dominant rebounding. Although he's still 100% more reliable at everything than any other Canadian big so I probably should pencil him in as a lock in any lineup Canada would trot out. Like you, I actually think TT would play centre in FIFA ball too, and I think AB is a better frontcourt partner for TT than anyone else I can think of right now.

[NBACommissioner]

Bennett makes me think of a Charlie V type big man, but Bennett may have a little more defensive upside (Charlie V is one of the worst defensive big men in the last 30 years, so it's probably not saying much here). I think at this point we've seen enough of him to probably assume he won't be ever be a star. While he didn't dominate the tourney (Nicholson probably was more consistent) he did show some glimmer of decent court awareness that he didn't through his first 2 years in the NBA. His defense against the pick and roll was encouraging during our comeback this game. Nicholson has this irritating habit of parking himself in the paint on defense and calling it a day, whereas Bennett actually attempted to move around on defense. Bhullar is too big and slow as a pick and roll defender.

We'll have Olynyk and Thompson as the starting frontcourt in future international tournaments but I could see some scenarios where it would be better to play Bennett over either because of his ability to step out and he may be slightly more mobile than Olynyk when in shape. Thompson is the best big for Canada on defense and offense but on offense his range is limited and he's a guy I could see parking himself in the paint and calling it a day. I could see him struggling in international games like Dwight Howard did. So there's that for AB.

No we really haven't seen enough at all to rule out a 22 year old bigmans future.

Maybe. If you want to make a bet and revisit this topic in 4 years I'd be willing to make a small wager he still won't be a star though.

I don't know why people always have to push every player they like who hasn't blossomed yet into a future star. Right now let's work on him becoming an actual consistent NBA rotation player first. It's like some people take it as an affront to their fandom if someone doesn't turn into a star. Stars aren't a dime a dozen you know. People don't always pan out...it happens. Just because someone is young doesn't mean the future is limitless. But just because someone doesn't become a star it doesn't mean you have to stop liking them either. I'm rooting for AB too, I really am. But I want him to show he can at least become a respectable NBA role player first.

It's because there are things in his game that scrubs do not have .1) He's shot fairly poorly in the NBA so far but he has one of the nicest forms in the league, 2) he is a very good P&R player but has never played with a good PG or had a coach whose smart enough to figure this out (only 50 min of PT with Rubio and he looked very good in those minutes) 3) He works his ass off in the Offseason (I will never label a 22 year old who works hard and hasn't even played as many minutes as Wiggins in the NBA especially a big man) 4) his D and Motor are getting better all the time 5) I've already witnessed him play very productive games in the NBA so it's not like I don't know what he's capable of and i'm just guessing...he played very well for the entire month of November last year.

[NBACommissioner]

Thompson is the best big for Canada on defense and offense but on offense his range is limited and he's a guy I could see parking himself in the paint and calling it a day.

Agree on the defense but not on the offense. I think Oynyk is definitely better offensively and that a decent argument can be made that Powell, Nicholson, and Bennett are better offensively.

Yea Thompson is honestly the worst big offensively...He's right around Joel Anthony Territory.

[NBACommissioner]

Canada had that game if Triano would've pulled the plug earlier on Nicholson and play Ejim because their defense to start the second half was airtight by switching every PnR/DHO play Brazil was trying to run shutting down open seams where the ball-handler can just stop on a dime against a retreating big man defender for the pull-up jumper without Nicholson dropping back and the corner guys having to over-rotate to pick up the screener diving to the rim inevitably giving up the corner 3.

Thompson is the best big for Canada on defense and offense but on offense his range is limited and he's a guy I could see parking himself in the paint and calling it a day. I could see him struggling in international games like Dwight Howard did. So there's that for AB.

TT has shown he can show-&-recover as well as even switching onto guards like Curry and mirror their move step for step during the Finals, so he isn't exactly like Nicholson/Hibbert-type screen defenders who are forced to drop back because they don't have the mobility to slide with the guard. I think Zach Lowe brought this up as well in one of his articles too. A line-up with CoJo/Wiggins/AB/TT with their ability to switch everything would give offenses a lot of trouble.

Every Golden State playoff opponent has tried switching bigs onto Curry to prevent seams from opening, but Thompson is the first enemy big since Anthony Davis with the quickness to (maybe) hold his own. Thompson, always crouched in a perfect stance, might be even better than Davis at this discrete skill.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/seven-questions-that-will-shape-the-nba-finals/

Also, he hardly played Bennett and Murray together in the first half and they had great chemistry together. Murray played better with Bennett as did Bennett with Murray.

[andyo]

I was actually most impressed by Nicholson of the entire Team Canada roster. I wish Murray looked to him more in the post, he's got a good inside-outside game and showed how composed he is under pressure with his drive and kick. He should have been the #1 option for this team IMHO. If he played with a bit more defensive intensity, he could be a very good role player in this league. Could fill the role as a stretch 4 which is always a commodity. I think he would look very good next to a guy like Cousins.

Murray looked great for an 18 year old. The future is very bright but he needs to work a lot on his defense. Easier said than done because it's extremely tough to guard his position but it only gets harder at this level when he's going to be guarding elite athletes like Westbrook or having to run around with Curry. There's just too much premium talent in his position now that he's going to need to really separate himself from the pack.

Bennett looked a lot better. He plays with an infectious intensity that is always nice. I don't think this was the best tourney to showcase his offensive potential. Murray was very ball-dominant all tourney so he had limited touches to show his offensive potential/had to play a lot off the ball. I'm hopeful for him to be a good player in this league down the line, I'm just worried he's still a tweener right now. I'm hopeful he doesn't follow the trajectory of a guy like Derrick Williams/Thomas Robinson.

[LLJ]

]

It's because there are things in his game that scrubs do not have .1) He's shot fairly poorly in the NBA so far but he has one of the nicest forms in the league, 2) he is a very good P&R player but has never played with a good PG or had a coach whose smart enough to figure this out (only 50 min of PT with Rubio and he looked very good in those minutes) 3) He works his ass off in the Offseason (I will never label a 22 year old who works hard and hasn't even played as many minutes as Wiggins in the NBA especially a big man) 4) his D and Motor are getting better all the time 5) I've already witnessed him play very productive games in the NBA so it's not like I don't know what he's capable of and i'm just guessing...he played very well for the entire month of November last year.

Keep in mind, I never said I thought he was gonna be a scrub forever. I think he can and likely will become a good NBA role player someday. And I don't doubt his drive to improve is sincere. But I actually doubt his athleticism, which is something he can't control. Yeah, he can throw down monster dunks and stuff but I still think he's about average NBA big man athleticism in terms of quickness and reaction time. And I don't think he has the natural court awareness and bball IQ that more gifted players have. This is actually the biggest reason he's taking so long to develop actually, that he's been slow to pick up on NBA schemes more gifted players absorb and react to more quickly. I think he's someone who will at best become average in that department through more experience.

Because of his generally average NBA athleticism and his average at best court awareness, I don't see him being a star. A good role player, yes. Maybe even a borderline starter. But a star, maybe not. He has a good jumpshot, yes, but so did dozens of other big men who never became more than a good bench big.

I am optimistic about Bennett being a very important player for Canada going forward though. I just think because of his size and his tweener type skillset he matches up better against Euro/international bigs than most NBA players do.

[NBACommissioner]

]

It's because there are things in his game that scrubs do not have .1) He's shot fairly poorly in the NBA so far but he has one of the nicest forms in the league, 2) he is a very good P&R player but has never played with a good PG or had a coach whose smart enough to figure this out (only 50 min of PT with Rubio and he looked very good in those minutes) 3) He works his ass off in the Offseason (I will never label a 22 year old who works hard and hasn't even played as many minutes as Wiggins in the NBA especially a big man) 4) his D and Motor are getting better all the time 5) I've already witnessed him play very productive games in the NBA so it's not like I don't know what he's capable of and i'm just guessing...he played very well for the entire month of November last year.

Keep in mind, I never said I thought he was gonna be a scrub forever. I think he can and likely will become a good NBA role player someday. And I don't doubt his drive to improve is sincere. But I actually doubt his athleticism, which is something he can't control. Yeah, he can throw down monster dunks and stuff but I still think he's about average NBA big man athleticism in terms of quickness and reaction time. And I don't think he has the natural court awareness and bball IQ that more gifted players have. This is actually the biggest reason he's taking so long to develop actually, that he's been slow to pick up on NBA schemes more gifted players absorb and react to more quickly. I think he's someone who will at best become average in that department through more experience.

Because of his generally average NBA athleticism and his average at best court awareness, I don't see him being a star. A good role player, yes. Maybe even a borderline starter. But a star, maybe not. He has a good jumpshot, yes, but so did dozens of other big men who never became more than a good bench big.

I am optimistic about Bennett being a very important player for Canada going forward though. I just think because of his size and his tweener type skillset he matches up better against Euro/international bigs than most NBA players do.

Think about this 2 year pro Anthony Bennett has played 1557 Minutes in the NBA, Rookie Zach Lavine (13th pick) has played 1902 Rookie Andrew Wiggins has played played 2969 MP. How does one develop these skills rotting on a bench? I watched Twolves a lot last year and he actually looks a lot quicker since his weight loss and his footwork looks better as well. I don't see how that won't keep improving if he continues to put work in. His lateral movement definitely can improve but you have to remember how bad this guy was on D in the past when he was out of shape and he has already made huge strides in terms of hustle, awareness and mobility. Also, he seems even faster than before and he was pretty fast in the past.

[bubbrubb]

Bennett won't be a star worth the #1 pick, but could he become a 16/9 type of PF in the NBA - yes

go back to that draft and tell me who is worthy of number one pick?

[LLJ]

Think about this 2 year pro Anthony Bennett has played 1557 Minutes in the NBA, Rookie Zach Lavine (13th pick) has played 1902 Rookie Andrew Wiggins has played played 2969 MP. How does one develop these skills rotting on a bench? I watched Twolves a lot last year and he actually looks a lot quicker since his weight loss and his footwork looks better as well. I don't see how that won't keep improving if he continues to put work in. His lateral movement definitely can improve but you have to remember how bad this guy was on D in the past when he was out of shape and he has already made huge strides in terms of hustle, awareness and mobility. Also, he seems even faster than before and he was pretty fast in the past.

Zach Lavine and Andrew Wiggins played more than Bennett because they are already better players than him. The reason Bennett hasn't gotten playing time is only partly related to his conditioning--a lot of it is his inability to grasp NBA schemes quick enough. I'm not saying he's dumb--hell, I had a tough time memorizing the multiplication table so I am in no place to call someone stupid. But Bennett clearly isn't absorbing quick enough for a Flip's (and previously, Mike Brown's) liking to warrant playing him enough minutes over people more deserving. That's not Bennett being 'screwed', that's Bennett not being good enough to make a case for himself to get playing time.

Everything you said about improving...I have no doubt he will improve. I mean, he can't get any worse than the last 2 years. We're talking about HOW much he can improve. I just have serious doubts he's this future star being held back. He can rebound but he's not a NATURALLY great rebounder like a Tristan Thompson, and he can shoot from range but he's not a really good shooter like a PDPatt. He has a few post moves but you're never going to say he's a reliable option in the post. He's a guy who can do everything about okay at best but nothing really great. I just don't see this future NBA star here. He just has 'average tweener' written all over him. Which doesn't mean he's doomed to scrubdom, it just means his place in the NBA is a few totem poles down the pecking order.

[Chuck Newhouse]

He has tools, sure. Too bad it takes a lot more than that to succeed. How many players have been as bad as him in their first 2 years and have turned out great?

It's hard to think of players that get off to bad career starts and then become stars on the spot, especially a high pick, so I decided to have a quick look at a random year from a few years ago (I picked 1997)... right away I saw a perfect example...Chauncey Billups. It does happen on a fairly regular basis I think.

Another poor example. Billups wasn't great early on, but he was no where near as bad as AB.

He was much worse...The raps waived him after a couple days.

[Chuck Newhouse]

It's hard to think of players that get off to bad career starts and then become stars on the spot, especially a high pick, so I decided to have a quick look at a random year from a few years ago (I picked 1997)... right away I saw a perfect example...Chauncey Billups. It does happen on a fairly regular basis I think.

Happens with a lot of young guys who don't adjust to the Nba until later on. Just off the top of my head

Joe Johnson
Gerald Wallace
Jermaine Oneal
Steve Nash

Wallace is probably the closest, but he was still better than Bennett.

Yes he was. For sure...especially when you take Bennett's injuries into consideration.

[curryking3]

OT but Drake had a sick verse on his newest song.

"Come live all your dreams out at OVO. We gone make sure u get your bread and u know the ropes. Get my ring and come home like I'm Cory Jo."

If you're impressed by that you should honestly read some poetry. I think your mind would explode.

----

Only 30 clips to make from this game versus 68 from last game lol, oh well. Should be done sooner

18 minutes last game to 6 minutes of highlights this game.... damn lol. And I even inflated it for the feel good moments in the "almost, but not quite" comeback in the 4th

A good run, but Brazil proved to be too strong indeed. Commends to their whole team. They are a well oiled machine. Loved watching their offensive efficiency, just stunned the Canadian squad. Great to watch.

Good competition by both squads, fun to watch