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

[frumble]

Triano will have media conference at 10:00 eastern. Per Wolstat, all four cuts/departures will be announced today.


Re Hanlan/Scrubb/English, I am largely indifferent between Scrubb and English, but want to see Hanlan on the team.

Looking at their summer league stats, as poorly as Hanlan shot the ball (13/42 (31%), including 5/18 from 3), Scrubb was slightly worse at 9/31 (29%) overall and 2/10 from 3.

Scrubb also shot poorly on the exhibition tour last summer.
16/47 (34%) overall and 8/24 (33%) from 3 in the nine games of his that I was able to find boxscores for.

(English also shot poorly, at 19/50 (38%) overall and 9/27 (33%) from 3).

Scrubb and Hanlan each played for Canada at the cadet/junior level in 2010 and 2011.
Scrubb again shot poorly (22/75 (29%) overall and 11/50 (22%) from 3) in 223 minutes. 1.01 pts per FGA.
Hanlan shot much better (36/83 (43%) overall and 15/35 (43%) from 3 in 307 minutes. 1.33 pts per FGA.

Hanlan also had more rebounds (4.5 to 2.8), assists (3.7 to 2.2), and steals (1/3 to 0.9) per 30 minutes than Scrubb. They both had 2.2 turnovers per 30 minutes.

All that being said, it will likely come down to who the staff is more comfortable with at PG, and given their increased familiarity with Scrubb (from European tour last summer and his time at Carleton), I suspect Scrubb wins out on this count.

I am increasingly getting the feeling that Scrubb is likely in, and that it will come down to Hanlan vs. English for the last spot.

[Undefeated]

Looks like English got cut

[frumble]

Who else?

[LittleOzzy]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JLew1050/status/634397233933381633[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/634396780352917504[/tweet]

[jonny three time]

Smith says English, Bhullar and Murray are out. Sucks that they couldn't find a way to get Murray there. Our bench bigs will need to find a way to keep the scoring up with how weak our bench perimeter players will be, otherwise knowing Triano he'll end up playing Wiggins and Joseph right into the ground.

It's interesting that they're putting off making the final cut until the friendlies are over. They could be keeping an extra guy for insurance in case someone gets hurt, or maybe they just can't decide between Ejim and Doornekamp, possibly Powell too. Any which way, I'm really looking forward to this tourney.

[frumble]

Smith says English, Bhullar and Murray are out. Sucks that they couldn't find a way to get Murray there. Our bench bigs will need to find a way to keep the scoring up with how weak our bench perimeter players will be, otherwise knowing Triano he'll end up playing Wiggins and Joseph right into the ground.

It's interesting that they're putting off making the final cut until the friendlies are over. They could be keeping an extra guy for insurance in case someone gets hurt, or maybe they just can't decide between Ejim and Doornekamp, possibly Powell too. Any which way, I'm really looking forward to this tourney.

I think our bench perimeter players are ok. Hanlan can get to the rim, and given all the outside shooters on the team, spacing should be decent. E.g., a set with Hanlan, Heslip, Doornekamp, Powell, and Bennett should give Hanlan some good drive and dish options.

[Left Side Drive]

Is Murray out because Kentucky wants him to rest or was he really beat out by Scrubb?

[jonny three time]

Smith says English, Bhullar and Murray are out. Sucks that they couldn't find a way to get Murray there. Our bench bigs will need to find a way to keep the scoring up with how weak our bench perimeter players will be, otherwise knowing Triano he'll end up playing Wiggins and Joseph right into the ground.

It's interesting that they're putting off making the final cut until the friendlies are over. They could be keeping an extra guy for insurance in case someone gets hurt, or maybe they just can't decide between Ejim and Doornekamp, possibly Powell too. Any which way, I'm really looking forward to this tourney.

I think our bench perimeter players are ok. Hanlan can get to the rim, and given all the outside shooters on the team, spacing should be decent. E.g., a set with Hanlan, Heslip, Doornekamp, Powell, and Bennett should give Hanlan some good drive and dish options.

Admittedly, I don't watch a ton of NCAA (just the tourney and not every game) and don't follow the junior levels of team Canada, so I'm not overly familiar with Hanlans game. However, hes 22 year old kid, who's only a 2nd round pick and struggled badly in summer league. So expecting him to carry the team's bench offense seems way too optimistic. Murray coming off the bench at the panams was huge and relieved a ton of pressure off of everyone else, but he's a lottery talent, sure he's younger, but a much better talent. I just think if the bigs have trouble carrying the offense when CoJo and Wiggins are sitting, we're screwed. I'd actually consider starting Sacre in a Mozgov/Splitter type role, then have two of KO, Bennet or Nicholson coming off the bench since the starting unit has so much more perimeter talent.

[tout court]

Just heard TSN's basketball beat reporter on the radio. He made it sound as though Scrubb was going to be Vinnie Johnson for this team and that Hanlan is hanging on by a thread as the third-string point guard.

He'll obviously have to 'put up or shut up' at Tuto Marchand but in my estimation Hanlan has a better offensive game than Joseph let alone Scrubb. As a first team all ACC performer this past season Hanlan got to the line at a high rate, has a terrific mid-range game where he changes speeds really well, and can shoot it okay from distance.

The reporter also said that Doornekamp is the likely last cut but that only makes sense, or seems to, if they utilize Stauskas at the three along with Ejim. If the coaching staff is only going to use Ejim at the four then if Doornekamp is cut 1/3 of the roster will be power forwards: Ejim, Bennett, Nicholson, and Powell. That would mean four power forwards, three point guards, two centres and only Wiggins, Stauskas and Heslip at the 2/3 though Hanlan and Scrubb can play off the ball.

Nicholson can play the five but I can't see them cutting Sacre for Ejim or Doornekamp.

[Oakville_Raptor]

Is Murray out because Kentucky wants him to rest or was he really beat out by Scrubb?

Because of Kentucky.

[frumble]

Admittedly, I don't watch a ton of NCAA (just the tourney and not every game) and don't follow the junior levels of team Canada, so I'm not overly familiar with Hanlans game. However, hes 22 year old kid, who's only a 2nd round pick and struggled badly in summer league. So expecting him to carry the team's bench offense seems way too optimistic. Murray coming off the bench at the panams was huge and relieved a ton of pressure off of everyone else, but he's a lottery talent, sure he's younger, but a much better talent. I just think if the bigs have trouble carrying the offense when CoJo and Wiggins are sitting, we're screwed. I'd actually consider starting Sacre in a Mozgov/Splitter type role, then have two of KO, Bennet or Nicholson coming off the bench since the starting unit has so much more perimeter talent.

As noted by tout court, Hanlan can get to the hoop and is a very good offensive player.

Re rotations, I think half court offensive sets with Doornekamp and Sacre in at the same time would be difficult. I don't expect either to get more than 10 minutes a game (if that), and ideally those minutes wouldn't be together.
The other forwards - Wiggins, Olynyk, Powell, Nicholson, and Bennett - can all score.

Just heard TSN's basketball beat reporter on the radio. He made it sound as though Scrubb was going to be Vinnie Johnson for this team and that Hanlan is hanging on by a thread as the third-string point guard.

He'll obviously have to 'put up or shut up' at Tuto Marchand but in my estimation Hanlan has a better offensive game than Joseph let alone Scrubb. As a first team all ACC performer this past season Hanlan got to the line at a high rate, has a terrific mid-range game where he changes speeds really well, and can shoot it okay from distance.

I think people are really underestimating Hanlan's abilities. I agree that his offensive game is outstanding, and I think he can be a very important part of this team.

The reporter also said that Doornekamp is the likely last cut but that only makes sense, or seems to, if they utilize Stauskas at the three along with Ejim. If the coaching staff is only going to use Ejim at the four then if Doornekamp is cut 1/3 of the roster will be power forwards: Ejim, Bennett, Nicholson, and Powell. That would mean four power forwards, three point guards, two centres and only Wiggins, Stauskas and Heslip at the 2/3 though Hanlan and Scrubb can play off the ball.

Nicholson can play the five but I can't see them cutting Sacre for Ejim or Doornekamp.

Agree again. It makes no sense to take Ejim given their reluctance (refusal) to play him at SF. Unless they take him over Powell (which I can't see and wouldn't like), he would have no role.
At least Doornekamp fills a need.

[Patman]

I understand not taking Murray for the FIBA Americas b/c he'd have to leave in the middle of the tourney, but I thought they would still keep him around for the Tuto Marchand. FIBA experience is invaluable, and Murray will probably one of our core 8-9 players we'll need to rely upon in the next decade.

[Undefeated]

I wouldn't look too deep into Hanlan's numbers during Summer League as an indication of his play because the continuity system the Jazz imported from the Spurs isn't something that most players can easily pick up on with a few short practices. Guys like Bryce Cotton and Exum before he had his ankle injury at the Utah Jazz Summer League was already familiar with their system since he had already played for their team a bit unlike Hanlan who was forced to play as the lead guard and secondary ball-handler who didn't have much feel for the offense. But like I said before since the SMNT runs a similar motion/flow offense he shouldn't have much of a problem offensively with his experience he gained from the Jazz.

[frumble]

I understand not taking Murray for the FIBA Americas b/c he'd have to leave in the middle of the tourney, but I thought they would still keep him around for the Tuto Marchand. FIBA experience is invaluable, and Murray will probably one of our core 8-9 players we'll need to rely upon in the next decade.

Kentucky's drop dead date may be too early to allow for Marchand?

In any case, I think it is important to get the guys who will be at FIBA more practice playing together in the roles they will have at FIBAs.

[mojo13]

Regarding Powell - he should be okay playing C as well as PF for much of the time at this level. Guys typically wont be as big as the NBA where he gets pushed around too much to play much center (KO for that matter too). Powell also played some SF in the d-league this year, so that could be an option for some minutes at SF as well. He could be a very versatile piece for this team and as a reminder was one of the best players in summer league this year.

Has anyone here seen any of the practices/scrimmages? Perhaps they would have some insight.

Lots can happen with the starting line-up and rotation. In my opinion Cojo and Wiggins are the only true locks to start. The rest is up in the air as they look for balance and mix, especially if the minutes are going to go deep.

[Mattd97]

i guess scrubb is next in the ryan bell-doornekamp line of CIS quota guys. I much prefer hanlan in that gunner role. as frumble pointed out earlier, i dont think scrubb has ever shot well for canada

[aminiaturebuddha]

I also agree that some people are underestimating Hanlan a bit because of his terrible summer league performance. Even if it was a bit of a down year in the ACC, if you're one of the best scorers in the ACC on a team where every defence is geared towards stopping you, you can certainly create a bit of offence and help a team off the bench for 15-20 minutes a game in a FIBA Americas tournament. He's not a saviour or anything, but he won't be asked to be one. He just has some very good offensive skills that will help the team.

Even if he's the 3rd option on the floor on a second unit with, say, Nicholson and Powell, that's pretty decent and nothing to worry about.

[arbsn]

Don't they need to make one more cut?

Not surprised about English... He was awful at PanAm. Bhullar was an obvious cut as well.

Very surprised about Scrubb and Hanlan both making it. I'd rather see Murray there but if he's not allowed it's still surprising.

If they cut 1 more I'd assume it's Scrubb or Doornekamp

[frumble]

Just heard TSN's basketball beat reporter on the radio. He made it sound as though Scrubb was going to be Vinnie Johnson for this team and that Hanlan is hanging on by a thread as the third-string point guard.

I just heard the Lewenberg interview.

Yeah, he seems convinced that Scrubb's role will be as an instant-offense, change-of-pace kind of guy, like Murray was at PanAms. I don't think this could be further from the truth. Big difference between backing up Cadougan and backing up Joseph. I see Scrubb's role (if he indeed is ahead of Hanlan on the depth chart) as to come in to provide a few minutes of steady, low-risk play.

And Lewenberg seems convinced that the last cut will be Doornekamp, with Hanlan and Scrubb as the other possibilities. Didn't even mention Ejim as a possibility. Very puzzling.

[SharoneWright]

Love Hanlan on the team. Love the continuation from the cadet and junior to the SMNT ranks. Love that he's a scoring combo guard that can also find time behind Stauskas at the 2 spot. Hanlan is important now and going forward.