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

[Too Late Crew]

Given the new qualifaction schedule going into effect for FIBA it is absolutely true you need to have depth, particularly from players outside of the NBA, but in my eyes Doornekamp isn't even one of the top non-NBA players Canada has at their disposal. I'm not saying tell the guy to piss off and that he will never ever be apart of Team Canada again, but it isn't as though he will be an integral part of a team that hopes to do anything meaningful.

It may be part of a greater message. If you put in the time, are loyal, don't make waves and take time to play in crappy meaningless tournaments when you would be resting or otherwise working on your pro career you will be rewarded. I think in many ways AD is a token. He's a CIS guy, not overly athletic or talented and lets be honest being white doesn't hurt. There are lots of kids in Canada who might figure..hey if AD can go to a CIS school and be on the national team maybe I can too...he's not really more talented than I am. I'll never be an NBA player or a super talent like Andrew Wiggins but maybe I can play WITH Andrew Wiggins someday!

They also need to fill the ranks to play qualifiers and friendlies when the top guys are not available. Those are the games that no one really watches, in less than great facilities and that maybe interfere (or at least wear you down) when you have an overseas Pro Career. You need a carrot to hold out to say "Hey if you do the grunt work and help us qualify for us maybe we'll make a place for you with the big team as a reward.

Finally you cannot discount the Smart factor. Coaches like guys they are comfortable with, who know their system and can help others understand the system and how the coaches want players to act. Its a bit of an assistant coach type role. I don't think its needed and certainly not with Scrubb already on the team but its got to be a factor in why they want to keep him around the program.

It might seem I have some type of hate on for the guy and I really don't. I watched him play 5 years in the CIS (I go to a lot of CIS games) and he was a top player who worked hard and made the most out of his physical ability. My point is more around the politics of a team like this and why we will continue to see a "Christian Lattner" on the end of the bench for Canada's future "Dream teams".

[Samurai_Raps]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/dgontheroad/status/642022366919454721[/tweet]

I could not find this game on YouTube., was searching high and low for it for the last few days.

I don't remember watching it at the time. I'm glad it's being reaired again, and I think it's worth checking out. Hopefully it's a fitting tribute to the the past and the present.

I think it's one of the underrated wins in Canadian history with Steve Nash carrying a team of no names into a very hostile environment.

[Mattd97]

i remember watching that game in my moms living room. still had my backpack with the names of the 96 4x100 team written on it (those backpacks you could write on were the best). will definitely try to tune in today

[chevycheck]

Is tsn showing the game? I see cfl on the main network and us tennis on tsn 2 . Anybody clarify this and thank you.

[caliraptor]

[quote="chevycheck"]Is tsn showing the game? I see cfl on the main network and us tennis on tsn 2 . Anybody clarify this and thank you.[/quote] it will be showing on TSN4

[boomann21]

How has Nik Staskus looked during the tournament? I see he's one the biggest pluses in the +/- system. I am a big Michigan fan and was kind of let down by his Sacramento performances. Does he look legit?

[jeffya2]

What time is the game tomorrow, PLEASE

http://bfy.tw/1jrR

Thanks

[frumble]

Given the new qualifaction schedule going into effect for FIBA it is absolutely true you need to have depth, particularly from players outside of the NBA, but in my eyes Doornekamp isn't even one of the top non-NBA players Canada has at their disposal. I'm not saying tell the guy to piss off and that he will never ever be apart of Team Canada again, but it isn't as though he will be an integral part of a team that hopes to do anything meaningful.

It may be part of a greater message. If you put in the time, are loyal, don't make waves and take time to play in crappy meaningless tournaments when you would be resting or otherwise working on your pro career you will be rewarded. I think in many ways AD is a token. He's a CIS guy, not overly athletic or talented and lets be honest being white doesn't hurt. There are lots of kids in Canada who might figure..hey if AD can go to a CIS school and be on the national team maybe I can too...he's not really more talented than I am. I'll never be an NBA player or a super talent like Andrew Wiggins but maybe I can play WITH Andrew Wiggins someday!

They also need to fill the ranks to play qualifiers and friendlies when the top guys are not available. Those are the games that no one really watches, in less than great facilities and that maybe interfere (or at least wear you down) when you have an overseas Pro Career. You need a carrot to hold out to say "Hey if you do the grunt work and help us qualify for us maybe we'll make a place for you with the big team as a reward.

Finally you cannot discount the Smart factor. Coaches like guys they are comfortable with, who know their system and can help others understand the system and how the coaches want players to act. Its a bit of an assistant coach type role. I don't think its needed and certainly not with Scrubb already on the team but its got to be a factor in why they want to keep him around the program.

It might seem I have some type of hate on for the guy and I really don't. I watched him play 5 years in the CIS (I go to a lot of CIS games) and he was a top player who worked hard and made the most out of his physical ability. My point is more around the politics of a team like this and why we will continue to see a "Christian Lattner" on the end of the bench for Canada's future "Dream teams".

In the 70s, 80s, and 90s there were rumours about the Canadian National team favoring white players, and favoring CIAU players. Having current and former CIAU/CIS coaches involved with the program is understandable, but leads to the appearance of bias/potential conflict of interest. Play for UVic you will have a shot at the national team. Go to Eastern Washington and you can forget about it. Not sure to what extent that was true, but there is no denying that, for whatever reasons, many of our best black players did not play for the national team. Its a shame that guys like Phil Dixon and Wayne Robertson never suited up for Canada.

I would like to think things have changed, but I think there still may be a perception of bias. It sure doesn't hurt Smart's recruiting efforts to have had all these Carleton guys on the senior team, and of course Doornekamp being Smart's nephew adds to the conflict of interest.

[frumble]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/dgontheroad/status/642022366919454721[/tweet]

I could not find this game on YouTube., was searching high and low for it for the last few days.

I don't remember watching it at the time. I'm glad it's being reaired again, and I think it's worth checking out. Hopefully it's a fitting tribute to the the past and the present.

I think it's one of the underrated wins in Canadian history with Steve Nash carrying a team of no names into a very hostile environment.

Definitely a great game, but I don't think its fair to characterize that team as Nash and a bunch of no names. MacCullough was an all-American at UW, had a solid NBA career cut short by injury, and was generally very good in FIBA play.

Rowan Barrett was an excellent wing. He was better than English, Brown, Rautins, Heslip, or any SG we have had since, with the possible exception of Stauskas. At the 2003 FIBA Americas, when PR beat us for last spot (Nash's last game for Canada), it was Barrett who carried us that whole tournament.

Greg Newton was our best player at the 98 worlds (which Nash skipped).

Michael Meeks provided excellent scoring from the PF position. He was arguably our best player at the Sidney Olympics.

The depth was a little lacking, but the 99 team was not a bad team at all.

[mojo13]

Agreed, especially when it comes to Todd McCullough . People tend to forgot how good he was. I'd say he is as good or better than anyone on this current team (not named Wiggins). He was a starting center for both the Nets and 76ers and really good at FIBA ball - he put up 21 on our win over Serbia and 23 on our QF loss to France in Sydney.

That team deserves respect. They beat Russia, Serbia, Spain, Australia and Angola at the 2000 Olympics - there are some big boys of international bball on that list.

[pbj]

I was watching some Jamal Murray highlights and all I came away with is that Sim Bhullar is some kind of mythical beast from folklore.

I want to put a saddle on his back and ride him into battle.

[Potential]

[hsb]

I was watching some Jamal Murray highlights and all I came away with is that Sim Bhullar is some kind of mythical beast from folklore.

I want to put a saddle on his back and ride him into battle.

Spoiler:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgoSq_2I8aM[/youtube]

[Reg00]

One thing about AD, the guy was playing for Canada before it was cool to play for Canada. Does loyalty matter? It should a little because we know the NBA guys are always going to have a hard time suiting up all the time.

If I was a betting man, because of the loyalty factor, AD will make the cut for the Olympics should they make it. It makes the program look better, it rewards a guy for being available since he was eligible,and is a good story. As a basketball talent, he likes to start the break and push tempo from rebounds, he makes the right pass from time to time, and can use his post game against smaller guys, and knows the defensive schemes that Smart runs. And his towel waving, "bench energy" is top notch. He's a Vet who won't be a distraction (when he gets the DNP's) and is good in the locker room from what I can tell.

There is a certain amount of "you gotta dance who you showed up with" sorta logic to it. But I Agree not the greatest basketball logic as he is likely isn't the most talented Canadian outside the NBA.

[Samurai_Raps]

Agreed, especially when it comes to Todd McCullough . People tend to forgot how good he was. I'd say he is as good or better than anyone on this current team (not named Wiggins). He was a starting center for both the Nets and 76ers and really good at FIBA ball - he put up 21 on our win over Serbia and 23 on our QF loss to France in Sydney.

That team deserves respect. They beat Russia, Serbia, Spain, Australia and Angola at the 2000 Olympics - there are some big boys of international bball on that list.

Yes, but at the time, Todd McCullough had just been drafted in 1999, and hadn't played a game yet in the NBA. He was also drafted in the 2nd round 18th pick so I would disagree with you that he is "better than anyone on this current team (not named Wiggins). Todd McCullough wasn't a bad player, but lets not go overboard. There are 3 lottery picks alone and other players like Cojo who are much better presently, than 1999 Todd McCullough.

[Pooh_Jeter]

One thing about AD, the guy was playing for Canada before it was cool to play for Canada. Does loyalty matter? It should a little because we know the NBA guys are always going to have a hard time suiting up all the time.

If I was a betting man, because of the loyalty factor, AD will make the cut for the Olympics should they make it. It makes the program look better, it rewards a guy for being available since he was eligible,and is a good story. As a basketball talent, he likes to start the break and push tempo from rebounds, he makes the right pass from time to time, and can use his post game against smaller guys, and knows the defensive schemes that Smart runs. And his towel waving, "bench energy" is top notch. He's a Vet who won't be a distraction (when he gets the DNP's) and is good in the locker room from what I can tell.

There is a certain amount of "you gotta dance who you showed up with" sorta logic to it. But I Agree not the greatest basketball logic as he is likely isn't the most talented Canadian outside the NBA.

The thing is, post-Nash until basically 2013 it isn't as though there were tons of talented players refusing to play for Canada. Sure, you had guys like Rick Fox and Jamal Magloire not suiting up, but the amount of talent Canada had available was limited. You always have to appreciate someone suiting up for their country, but now that the team is good it shouldn't afford a roster spot to an inferior talent based on loyalty.

It would be one thing if Nicholson had another tough NBA year, but you give him a spot on the team based on what he has done for the program in the past and his exploits in FIBA play. That is where loyalty can come into play, it should not come into play for a guy like Doornekamp.

English basically got a pat on the back while guys like Rautins, Kendall and Anderson weren't brought in/available for whatever reasons. That makes the Doornekamp inclusion reek of nepotism. We get mad when the Lithuanian coach limited JV's playing time in favour of past their prime vets, so why should we let the inclusion of Doornekamp slide even if in the grand scheme of things it isn't going to be a make or break proposition? It's one thing for the coaching staff to have their views on Doornekamp, but for the media to slop it up is sad. There has to be accountability from someone.

[mojo13]

Agreed, especially when it comes to Todd McCullough . People tend to forgot how good he was. I'd say he is as good or better than anyone on this current team (not named Wiggins). He was a starting center for both the Nets and 76ers and really good at FIBA ball - he put up 21 on our win over Serbia and 23 on our QF loss to France in Sydney.

That team deserves respect. They beat Russia, Serbia, Spain, Australia and Angola at the 2000 Olympics - there are some big boys of international bball on that list.

Yes, but at the time, Todd McCullough had just been drafted in 1999, and hadn't played a game yet in the NBA. He was also drafted in the 2nd round 18th pick so I would disagree with you that he is "better than anyone on this current team (not named Wiggins). Todd McCullough wasn't a bad player, but lets not go overboard. There are 3 lottery picks alone and other players like Cojo who are much better presently, than 1999 Todd McCullough.

"At the time"...is fair enough. I am off in terms of timing as Todd wasn't really an NBA starter until 2001. And I agree I am making a overly simple assessment that Todd (a NBA starting center) is greater (or equivalent) to what we have now which is NBA bench guys. However I was thinking more of the 2000 Olympics as I never saw the 1999 qualifier (which is what the conversation is about).

[Dr Positivity]

How has Nik Staskus looked during the tournament? I see he's one the biggest pluses in the +/- system. I am a big Michigan fan and was kind of let down by his Sacramento performances. Does he look legit?

Mostly being used as a spot up shooter from what I've seen but has made his shots, every time the ball goes to him in the corner feels like it will go in. Assist numbers are solid. I feel he has more potential as a slasher and a Gordon Hayward like game than some people do but right now it's good enough for him to just hit shots

[Mattd97]

One thing about AD, the guy was playing for Canada before it was cool to play for Canada. Does loyalty matter? It should a little because we know the NBA guys are always going to have a hard time suiting up all the time.

If I was a betting man, because of the loyalty factor, AD will make the cut for the Olympics should they make it. It makes the program look better, it rewards a guy for being available since he was eligible,and is a good story. As a basketball talent, he likes to start the break and push tempo from rebounds, he makes the right pass from time to time, and can use his post game against smaller guys, and knows the defensive schemes that Smart runs. And his towel waving, "bench energy" is top notch. He's a Vet who won't be a distraction (when he gets the DNP's) and is good in the locker room from what I can tell.

There is a certain amount of "you gotta dance who you showed up with" sorta logic to it. But I Agree not the greatest basketball logic as he is likely isn't the most talented Canadian outside the NBA.

The thing is, post-Nash until basically 2013 it isn't as though there were tons of talented players refusing to play for Canada. Sure, you had guys like Rick Fox and Jamal Magloire not suiting up, but the amount of talent Canada had available was limited. You always have to appreciate someone suiting up for their country, but now that the team is good it shouldn't afford a roster spot to an inferior talent based on loyalty.

It would be one thing if Nicholson had another tough NBA year, but you give him a spot on the team based on what he has done for the program in the past and his exploits in FIBA play. That is where loyalty can come into play, it should not come into play for a guy like Doornekamp.

English basically got a pat on the back while guys like Rautins, Kendall and Anderson weren't brought in/available for whatever reasons. That makes the Doornekamp inclusion reek of nepotism. We get mad when the Lithuanian coach limited JV's playing time in favour of past their prime vets, so why should we let the inclusion of Doornekamp slide even if in the grand scheme of things it isn't going to be a make or break proposition? It's one thing for the coaching staff to have their views on Doornekamp, but for the media to slop it up is sad. There has to be accountability from someone.

yeah if were playing the loyalty card there are a lot of guys in line with doornekamp

[duppyy]

We are trying to win a gold medal here..not a nobel peace prize.

We don't have the luxury of having elite players like the US where we can just throw in courtesy roster spots on the bench. The best players should be on the team.

That's my take on it.