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

[Mirotic12]

can someone put a percentage on the odds of making the olympics after this loss. Is it still really high?

FIBA is now giving out 3 wildcards for the Olympics qualifiers. So even if Canada is eliminated from this tournament early, they will without any doubt get a wildcard next summer.

Argentina is the 3rd ranked team in the world for a reason. The sun may be setting on them, but they can still play great ball. Scola is arguably one of the top 2 or 3 non-USA players in FIBA ball over the last decade. Nowitski may be the only other who comes close (when he plays). Scola regularly has gone into "God-mode" on all sorts of teams not named Canada. No country can really stop him.

Argentina might be ranked 3rd in the world, but they could not make a quarterfinal at EuroBasket. And Scola is a shell of the player he used to be. As far as FIBA standards go, Argentina is a decent to solid team these days, but not anything more than that. They are nowhere near to being a top 10 FIBA team in reality.

[Chuck Newhouse]

How sad is it that today's NBA is so soft, that international play is too tough. Kobe was right saying that the NBA use to be the toughest basketball league in the world, sad to say that can't be said anymore. Today's players are all buddy buddy in the NBA, having fun and joking around with each other.

What happened to the assassins mentality on the court?, the gary paytons, Kobe Bryant's, Shaquille Oneals, Jordan etc etc. These dude's once the tip off happened, were looking to kill you.

I like the NBA just the way it is ...actually, check that...I would rather see even less contact. Skill and finesse ball is always better to watch if done properly. Toughness is for other sports.

[Chuck Newhouse]

Watching that game reminded me of two horrible things. One was how much I hate Rod and Leo! The other was how bad Triano is as a coach.

[Left Side Drive]

Just came to check in..that Luis Scola stat line lol...

How did Cojo do?

[WeTheNorth123]

Cojo hasnt been impressive all tournament....im gonna say it now, he was our worst signing of the summer.

You'r best player is arguably your starting point guard (Lowry) and you just invested a draft pick on Wright....so in essence you didn't need a pg (PF was a much bigger priority).......so Raptors essencially overpaid and hindered (a little bit, i guess) wright's development for Canadian Player (he's serviceable but not a good deal for us at all)

[WeTheNorth123]

In case you wanna see Scola highlights from last night

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykamCCS8bFM[/youtube]

[15Vinsanity15]

How sad is it that today's NBA is so soft, that international play is too tough. Kobe was right saying that the NBA use to be the toughest basketball league in the world, sad to say that can't be said anymore. Today's players are all buddy buddy in the NBA, having fun and joking around with each other.

What happened to the assassins mentality on the court?, the gary paytons, Kobe Bryant's, Shaquille Oneals, Jordan etc etc. These dude's once the tip off happened, were looking to kill you.

I like the NBA just the way it is ...actually, check that...I would rather see even less contact. Skill and finesse ball is always better to watch if done properly. Toughness is for other sports.

I disagree 100%. And this is why this new generation will never appreciate how basketball was and how it should be. I'm absolutely loving the chippy-ness of the game, the toughness, and the never back down mentality. This is what professional sports is all about, it's supposed to get ugly. This isn't playground park ball, this is professional basketball.

I'm sorry but, if you didn't enjoy how the game was played back then compared to now, I feel sorry. This buddy buddy, friendliness is a cancer to competitiveness, and competition in general.

[mojo13]

can someone put a percentage on the odds of making the olympics after this loss. Is it still really high?

FIBA is now giving out 3 wildcards for the Olympics qualifiers. So even if Canada is eliminated from this tournament early, they will without any doubt get a wildcard next summer.

Not true. Those wildcards will go to the countries that host the tournaments. The countries that host the three tournaments will be paying a nifty fee to FIBA for the right to host those tournaments. It is a dodgy money grab by FIBA and you can expect Canada to think long and hard on whether they want to post what could be a seven figure fee to host a last chance tournament that you may or may not win.

And Scola is a shell of the player he used to be. As far as FIBA standards go, Argentina is a decent to solid team these days, but not anything more than that. They are nowhere near to being a top 10 FIBA team in reality.

Scola is a shell of his former self? From what I saw, I don't think so. He may not be at the peak of his game, but he is still a very, very good FIBA player. And I am not saying Argentina is the 3rd best team in the world - far from it. However, Argentina has over a decade of being a top tier team and with that they have a very experienced system, players and coaching. It seems that most people here don't understand the value of experience in FIBA ball. Recall how a young Lebron, Wade and Carmelo were embarrassed in 2004. Oh ya...it was at the hands of Scola and Nocioni (among others).

What we saw was a great game by Argentina and a poor game from Canada. I think Canada will be the better team if they meet again. No need for the irrational types to scream for the house to be burnt down.

[DrCoach]

Let me find out Scola gonna get his Paul Gasol on this year

[Badonkadonk]

People way underestimating the cohesiveness and style that teams like Argentina bring to the international game. They are a true team. There's a reason they are ranked where the are and that even American teams need to fight to beat the better teams despite a MASSIVE edge in talent. Remember this nail biter? - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2187323/Team-USA-basketball-Dream-Team-narrowly-defeats-Spain-gold-medal.html

On talent and athleticism alone, the US should've dominated. But when a team plays sound, fundamental 'ball, has played together internationally more and is smart, those advantages can be neutralized.

Canada will need to find another level going forward. They have the talent to do it - hopefully they'll figure things out and come together as a team because it was never going to be easy.

[Patman]

How sad is it that today's NBA is so soft, that international play is too tough. Kobe was right saying that the NBA use to be the toughest basketball league in the world, sad to say that can't be said anymore. Today's players are all buddy buddy in the NBA, having fun and joking around with each other.

What happened to the assassins mentality on the court?, the gary paytons, Kobe Bryant's, Shaquille Oneals, Jordan etc etc. These dude's once the tip off happened, were looking to kill you.

I like the NBA just the way it is ...actually, check that...I would rather see even less contact. Skill and finesse ball is always better to watch if done properly. Toughness is for other sports.

Apt comment from someone whose screen name is Charlie Villanueva.

I couldn't disagree with you more. I detest when other people call basketball "soft". There's a way to play physical w/o being dirty or attempting to injure others.

IMO if you're not sore or after a game of ball, you didn't play hard enough.

[Chuck Newhouse]

How sad is it that today's NBA is so soft, that international play is too tough. Kobe was right saying that the NBA use to be the toughest basketball league in the world, sad to say that can't be said anymore. Today's players are all buddy buddy in the NBA, having fun and joking around with each other.

What happened to the assassins mentality on the court?, the gary paytons, Kobe Bryant's, Shaquille Oneals, Jordan etc etc. These dude's once the tip off happened, were looking to kill you.

I like the NBA just the way it is ...actually, check that...I would rather see even less contact. Skill and finesse ball is always better to watch if done properly. Toughness is for other sports.

I disagree 100%. And this is why this new generation will never appreciate how basketball was and how it should be. I'm absolutely loving the chippy-ness of the game, the toughness, and the never back down mentality. This is what professional sports is all about, it's supposed to get ugly. This isn't playground park ball, this is professional basketball.

I'm sorry but, if you didn't enjoy how the game was played back then compared to now, I feel sorry. This buddy buddy, friendliness is a cancer to competitiveness, and competition in general.

First, I want you to realize that I'm probably older than you so don't try the "kids these days" crap. Secondly...you seem to have confused competitiveness with physical play. The 2 have no direct connection. What you are suggesting forces too many play stoppages, free throws and also forces too many judgement calls by the refs. The key to a perfectly designed sport is one with ZERO judgement calls. Lastly...the type of ball you speak of also forces players to focus on cheating the borders of the rules too much. Too much dirty play and too much cheating.

[Chuck Newhouse]

How sad is it that today's NBA is so soft, that international play is too tough. Kobe was right saying that the NBA use to be the toughest basketball league in the world, sad to say that can't be said anymore. Today's players are all buddy buddy in the NBA, having fun and joking around with each other.

What happened to the assassins mentality on the court?, the gary paytons, Kobe Bryant's, Shaquille Oneals, Jordan etc etc. These dude's once the tip off happened, were looking to kill you.

I like the NBA just the way it is ...actually, check that...I would rather see even less contact. Skill and finesse ball is always better to watch if done properly. Toughness is for other sports.

Apt comment from someone whose screen name is Charlie Villanueva.

I couldn't disagree with you more. I detest when other people call basketball "soft". There's a way to play physical w/o being dirty or attempting to injure others.

IMO if you're not sore or after a game of ball, you didn't play hard enough.

I'm impressed with the fact you figured out my screen handle and it was a clever jab but if you want to know the reality of the situation, read my post above.

[MS13]

Anyone know where to buy the Team Canada jersey? I looked on their site and it isn't updated.

[15Vinsanity15]

I like the NBA just the way it is ...actually, check that...I would rather see even less contact. Skill and finesse ball is always better to watch if done properly. Toughness is for other sports.

I disagree 100%. And this is why this new generation will never appreciate how basketball was and how it should be. I'm absolutely loving the chippy-ness of the game, the toughness, and the never back down mentality. This is what professional sports is all about, it's supposed to get ugly. This isn't playground park ball, this is professional basketball.

I'm sorry but, if you didn't enjoy how the game was played back then compared to now, I feel sorry. This buddy buddy, friendliness is a cancer to competitiveness, and competition in general.

First, I want you to realize that I'm probably older than you so don't try the "kids these days" crap. Secondly...you seem to have confused competitiveness with physical play. The 2 have no direct connection. What you are suggesting forces too many play stoppages, free throws and also forces too many judgement calls by the refs. The key to a perfectly designed sport is one with ZERO judgement calls. Lastly...the type of ball you speak of also forces players to focus on cheating the borders of the rules too much. Too much dirty play and too much cheating.

Loll okay whatever you say kid...

[Patman]

Anyone know where to buy the Team Canada jersey? I looked on their site and it isn't updated.

Try Value Village

[bokbok]

this Canadian team is pretty young and inexperienced and haven't played much together, in fact this was Olynynk's first full game I believe.
What I don't get is the lack of touches Wiggins was getting, as if he wasn't the best player on the court.

[vi3t]

this Canadian team is pretty young and inexperienced and haven't played much together, in fact this was Olynynk's first full game I believe.
What I don't get is the lack of touches Wiggins was getting, as if he wasn't the best player on the court.

Olynyk played for CAN in the 2010 world championships when he was 18, he might actually have been the best player for us

[mojo13]

Anyone know where to buy the Team Canada jersey? I looked on their site and it isn't updated.

There are knockoffs on eBay. Wiggins versions at least.

Caveat emptor.

[Patman]

can someone put a percentage on the odds of making the olympics after this loss. Is it still really high?

FIBA is now giving out 3 wildcards for the Olympics qualifiers. So even if Canada is eliminated from this tournament early, they will without any doubt get a wildcard next summer.

Umm, I wouldn't be too sure about that. The berths don't automatically go to the top-ranked eliminated teams. It's basically about who can fellate FIBA officials the best. Remember how FIBA chose 39th ranked Finland over us as a wild card for the FIBA World Cup? It was b/c of freaking Angry Birds.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/2/1/5367564/fiba-world-cup-2014-canada-finland-basketball-angry-birds