Team Canada Basketball Thread

[mojo13]

Myck Kabongo signs back in Romania. At least he is still grinding....
http://www.usbasket.com/Canada/news/518254/Zornotza-signs-Myck-Kabongo

Not he played for the DRC last summer at FIBA AfroBasket and is done with Canada. Not that it matters much, but he was one of the better players in AfroBasket. He Didnt play in the first WC Qualifiers for DRC though.


Devoe Jospeh signs in Finland - played in Venezulea last year.
http://www.usbasket.com/Canada/news/517808/BC-Nokia-signs-Devoe-Joseph

[TheFutureMM]

Nbadraft just updated their mock and had SGA on the rise at 11. Here's what they had to say about him...

SGA has tremendous speed and size for a point guard, at 6-6 with a near 7-foot wingspan. He is a very good athlete who defends well and has improved in his playmaking ability as the point guard of Kentucky. He has a developing runner that he utilizes to get the ball over rim protectors. His outside shooting remains unproven, though he has knocked down an excellent clip on the year at 44%. If he can prove he has the ability to shoot in workouts the way he has shot this season, he can go in the lottery.

NBA Comparison: Ron Harper

http://www.nbadraft.net/2018-extended-mock-draft-20

In other news, Matur Maker is skipping college altogether and going straight to the draft. Feels weird having kids play in Canada for High School and not having them eligible on our team - went to look if Thon had conclusively said he is playing for Australia and surprise, he did. May be old news but just wanted to throw it out there.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21972366/matur-maker-skip-college-enter-nba-draft

https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/thon-maker-confirms-his-desire-to-represent-australia-in-international-competition/news-story/d4fd0aecc57a8411f043b3781bbc4a5c

[TooBad]

Ahhh the irrational, emotional Wiggins hate once again....I wonder if there is "Wiggins Hype Letdown Disorder" counseling out there.

It is honestly more rational to dislike him as a player than to like him at this point because he is a below average player statistically.

The Wolves are winning. 24-15 record, 4th in the competitive West and 7-3 in their last 10 (they are actually looking much better of late without Teague out there). The Jones, Wiggins, Butler, Gibson, KAT line up is the highest Net +/- rating in the league (more than 100 minutes played).

If you swapped Wiggins with another player do you honestly think this would change? it's crazy to try and credit Wiggins for these stats when you added 3 guys to the starting rotation who are all upgrades,

There are stats for everyone, but a positive case can clearly be made for Wiggins. I am not his hugest fan (and I know lots of individual advanced stats can be thrown at me to counter this argument), but the blanket comments like he is just lazy, or doesn't care, only wants to play video games, or doesn't try on defense just seem so silly, lazy, dismissive and laden with irrational emotion.

He was required to have a face-to-face meeting with the Owner and had to promise him that he'd put work in Minnesota each Summer in order to get a contract. His own boss thinks he's lazy.

Wiggins 4th season improvement seems obvious to those watching. His offensive rating is up to 111.3 (Yr1: 100.2, Yr2: 105.7, Yr3: 109.9), D-rating a career best 105.6, and net rating a career best +5.6 (Yr1: -10.1, Yr2: -1.0, Yr3: -0.5). These are good trends and for fans of the Wolves why complain when the winning keeps improving?

All these numbers can be contributed to the addition of Butler. You play alongside a great 2-way player like Butler your Offensive/Defensive stats will increase. Also, Taj is a great defender and Teague is an upgrade to Rubio. Better team = Better results.And you complain because they could be so much better if Wiggins was contributing at an above average level. I

Wiggins has the best on/off opponent FG% differential on the Wolves this year at 46.7% when he is on, 51.3% when he is off (-4.6%) - but not a great stat compare to the league.
More boards from Wiggins would be nice, but when Wiggins plays the Wolves rebound better than when he sits.

Yes his individual counting stats are down this year - are you surprised with the addition of Bulter? Truth is that most good coaches would heavily stagger Jimmy and Wiggins, and this would boost Wiggins individual stats and hurt his team "rating" ones. Thibs is playing a longer game, seeking something closer to perfection in his starting unit.

The addition of Butler/Teague should have made Wiggins fg% as go up as the defense can no longer focus on him but its actually worse than his rookie season. The wolves Rebound better when Wiggins is on because he plays with Towns for the most part.

Team performance is paramount and it has steadily improved while Wiggins has been in Minnesota. "I'm trying to do things that help my team win" - Andrew Wiggins speaking language that some, but unfortunately not all, understand.

Once again to write him off at this point (22) is just silly...but go for it if it is some sort of therapy.

*Credit Punch Drunk Wolves for the stats/argument.

[Patman]

In other news, Matur Maker is skipping college altogether and going straight to the draft. Feels weird having kids play in Canada for High School and not having them eligible on our team - went to look if Thon had conclusively said he is playing for Australia and surprise, he did. May be old news but just wanted to throw it out there.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21972366/matur-maker-skip-college-enter-nba-draft

https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/thon-maker-confirms-his-desire-to-represent-australia-in-international-competition/news-story/d4fd0aecc57a8411f043b3781bbc4a5c

Australia could become a low-key FIBA power if Ben Simmons plays for them.

[TooBad]

In other news, Matur Maker is skipping college altogether and going straight to the draft. Feels weird having kids play in Canada for High School and not having them eligible on our team - went to look if Thon had conclusively said he is playing for Australia and surprise, he did. May be old news but just wanted to throw it out there.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21972366/matur-maker-skip-college-enter-nba-draft

https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/thon-maker-confirms-his-desire-to-represent-australia-in-international-competition/news-story/d4fd0aecc57a8411f043b3781bbc4a5c

Australia could become a low-key FIBA power if Ben Simmons plays for them.

I am hoping we can convert their Cousin Makur Maker. He is probably going to be the best of the three and will spend the most time developing in Canada of any of them. Honestly, though Canada is really deep at the PF/C so I don't even know that these guys would make it (although they could develop slow like Giannis).

[TooBad]

Stats - Jan 5, 2018

Murray 26 pts 6 reb 3 ast 9/13 Fg
Lyles 26 pts 7 reb 1 ast 2stl 9/17 FG - Outplayed Donavan Mitchell for the second time and got a career high
Powell 13 pts 2 reb 1ast 3 stl 6/6 FG 1/1 FT (perfect shooting night)
Olynyk 10 pts 10 reb 4 ast 1 stl 4/10 Fg
Wiggins 10 pts 3 reb 1 ast 1 stl 2 blk 3/12 fg 3/6 Ft - his team lost by 7 pts (I wonder why?)
Brooks 7 pts 2 reb 3/4 Fg

It looks like Ennis has been removed from the rotation again (Ball returned).

Watch on YouTube

Check out the play at 0:45 in the Murray Video

Watch on YouTube

[Hair Canada]

Stats - Jan 5, 2018

Murray 26 pts 6 reb 3 ast 9/13 Fg
Lyles 26 pts 7 reb 1 ast 2stl 9/17 FG - Outplayed Donavan Mitchell for the second time and got a career high
Powell 13 pts 2 reb 1ast 3 stl 6/6 FG 1/1 FT (perfect shooting night)
Olynyk 10 pts 10 reb 4 ast 1 stl 4/10 Fg
Wiggins 10 pts 3 reb 1 ast 1 stl 2 blk 3/12 fg 3/6 Ft - his team lost by 7 pts (I wonder why?)
Brooks 7 pts 2 reb 3/4 Fg

It looks like Ennis has been removed from the rotation again (Ball returned).

The Denver Duo is really cooking. With every passing day, they seem more and more like the face of the national program for the next couple of years and the fact that their coordination increases (quite a few of Jamal's assists seem to go to Trey) is really encouraging.

When Murray hits up, it's a thing of beauty. Only thing now is figuring out how to bring this every night, or at least most nights.

Ennis had his day in the California sun (it was virtually one day). Hopefully, he'll be able to build on that and carve out some more consistent minutes.

[TooBad]

Stats - Jan 5, 2018

Murray 26 pts 6 reb 3 ast 9/13 Fg
Lyles 26 pts 7 reb 1 ast 2stl 9/17 FG - Outplayed Donavan Mitchell for the second time and got a career high
Powell 13 pts 2 reb 1ast 3 stl 6/6 FG 1/1 FT (perfect shooting night)
Olynyk 10 pts 10 reb 4 ast 1 stl 4/10 Fg
Wiggins 10 pts 3 reb 1 ast 1 stl 2 blk 3/12 fg 3/6 Ft - his team lost by 7 pts (I wonder why?)
Brooks 7 pts 2 reb 3/4 Fg

It looks like Ennis has been removed from the rotation again (Ball returned).

The Denver Duo is really cooking. With every passing day, they seem more and more like the face of the national program for the next couple of years and the fact that their coordination increases (quite a few of Jamal's assists seem to go to Trey) is really encouraging.

When Murray hits up, it's a thing of beauty. Only thing now is figuring out how to bring this every night, or at least most nights.

Ennis had his day in the California sun (it was virtually one day). Hopefully, he'll be able to build on that and carve out some more consistent minutes.

Murray's main problem is his 3 pt consistency. He was 6-7 yesterday and 4-21 the 3 games before. He'd be averaging 20 plus if he could hit half of these. But yeah its safe to say that Murray/Lyles and Olynyk are our best players. Wiggins will probably get back to being a 20 pt scorer eventually but I don't think he'll be much else unfortunately (most players would have shown some kind of improvement after 4 years in the league).

[mojo13]

You should just put a silly comment about Wiggins in your signiture line. It will save you the time and effort to keep coming up with them every post.

Anyways the good game from Ennis may serve him well. Strong rumors about Ennis/Brewer trade for Marco Belinelli. There is no role for him in LA as the 3rd point guard. Caruso can do that job just as well. Ennis showing a good game or two may be enough for ATL to pull the trigger.

Despite 4 teams so far, I think Ennis just needs to find the right team. He is good enough to be a back up PG in the NBA and maybe Atlanta is the right spot.

[Mattd97]

In other news, Matur Maker is skipping college altogether and going straight to the draft. Feels weird having kids play in Canada for High School and not having them eligible on our team - went to look if Thon had conclusively said he is playing for Australia and surprise, he did. May be old news but just wanted to throw it out there.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21972366/matur-maker-skip-college-enter-nba-draft

https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/thon-maker-confirms-his-desire-to-represent-australia-in-international-competition/news-story/d4fd0aecc57a8411f043b3781bbc4a5c

Australia could become a low-key FIBA power if Ben Simmons plays for them.

I am hoping we can convert their Cousin Makur Maker. He is probably going to be the best of the three and will spend the most time developing in Canada of any of them. Honestly, though Canada is really deep at the PF/C so I don't even know that these guys would make it (although they could develop slow like Giannis).

makur maker is more likely than not to be better than an nba lottery pick?

[TooBad]

Australia could become a low-key FIBA power if Ben Simmons plays for them.

I am hoping we can convert their Cousin Makur Maker. He is probably going to be the best of the three and will spend the most time developing in Canada of any of them. Honestly, though Canada is really deep at the PF/C so I don't even know that these guys would make it (although they could develop slow like Giannis).

makur maker is more likely than not to be better than an nba lottery pick?

Yea he is going to end up being taller/ more athletic than Thon and have a larger wingspan. He's was 6'11 when he was 14.

Watch on YouTube

[Patman]

I am hoping we can convert their Cousin Makur Maker. He is probably going to be the best of the three and will spend the most time developing in Canada of any of them. Honestly, though Canada is really deep at the PF/C so I don't even know that these guys would make it (although they could develop slow like Giannis).

makur maker is more likely than not to be better than an nba lottery pick?

Yea he is going to end up being taller/ more athletic than Thon and have a larger wingspan. He's was 6'11 when he was 14.

Watch on YouTube

His skills look very under-whelming. He's dominating almost solely based on size and athleticism, and those advantages decrease with every jump in level. He's about 90% of the athlete that, say, a KG is, and has about 10% of the skills.

[IbakasD]

I dunno about NBA but in terms of NCAA we have to start talking about Kassius Robertson from Missouri. Dude is a certified scorer and has improved his point guard play greatly. It's a shame MPJ got hurt or else he would be getting looks from NBA scouts. York region product, played for canisius, before transferring to Missouri for his last year, he's really good man.

[TheFutureMM]

I dunno about NBA but in terms of NCAA we have to start talking about Kassius Robertson from Missouri. Dude is a certified scorer and has improved his point guard play greatly. It's a shame MPJ got hurt or else he would be getting looks from NBA scouts. York region product, played for canisius, before transferring to Missouri for his last year, he's really good man.

I know the family a bit so I have watched about 4-5 games so far this year. Kassius is interesting, definitely more of a SG at this point in his game (I think he even considers himself one) but I don't know about his prospects at the next level. 6-3 with a limited wing-span and it shows as he struggles really hard to finish over the length of longer front-courts. Brilliant shooter (so much elevation on his shot) though and can bring the ball up the court but he really lacks the passing skills required to be a full-time PG.

Recently asked if there was a connection to Team Canada yet and there doesn't appear to be anything there. I figured they could look at him with these qualification games but who knows, maybe that changes after this year. Kind of off topic but I don't know if he brings anything to the table that Heslip doesn't - maybe a little bit better of a defender (probably marginable though). Pretty sure he is looking to play overseas after this year.

Stats - Jan 5, 2018

Murray 26 pts 6 reb 3 ast 9/13 Fg
Lyles 26 pts 7 reb 1 ast 2stl 9/17 FG - Outplayed Donavan Mitchell for the second time and got a career high
Powell 13 pts 2 reb 1ast 3 stl 6/6 FG 1/1 FT (perfect shooting night)
Olynyk 10 pts 10 reb 4 ast 1 stl 4/10 Fg
Wiggins 10 pts 3 reb 1 ast 1 stl 2 blk 3/12 fg 3/6 Ft - his team lost by 7 pts (I wonder why?)
Brooks 7 pts 2 reb 3/4 Fg

It looks like Ennis has been removed from the rotation again (Ball returned).

The Denver Duo is really cooking. With every passing day, they seem more and more like the face of the national program for the next couple of years and the fact that their coordination increases (quite a few of Jamal's assists seem to go to Trey) is really encouraging.

When Murray hits up, it's a thing of beauty. Only thing now is figuring out how to bring this every night, or at least most nights.

Ennis had his day in the California sun (it was virtually one day). Hopefully, he'll be able to build on that and carve out some more consistent minutes.

The guys that seem the most dedicated to Team Canada in my opinion are Olynyk, Joseph, Thompson, Nicholson, and Murray. We need Murray to recruit Lyles hard for this summer - hopefully Team Canada is in his ear as well and letting him know he is our starting PF going forward. As for Ennis, I don't think he's out of this league just yet - watch him sign another minimum somewhere this offseason.

[Hair Canada]

New ESPN top-100 ranking (everyone eligible for the 2018 draft) has four Canadians in the top-50:

Shai (26)
Nickeil (30)
Jackson (33)
Brissett (41)

Jackson is very unlikely to be eligible with his injury, but the other three seem like they are in the game. Still, probably all more likely to stay another year unless they move a bit further up. Brissett I believe has not been on this list before, so he's really been moving up the ladder. Interestingly, no Wigginton here. Also, no Akot, which might be expected, although I think he would be in if he were an international prospect playing in Europe.

[Bobby Plump]

OK, call me a Wiggins hater. The Ringer nailed it for me with this evaluation of AW's play this year:

Wiggins is still massively frustrating. With his inefficient scoring, subpar shooting, and nonexistent passing and rebounding, Wiggins will soon replace Jeff Green as The Player Who Isn’t As Good As He Should Be. Lately Wiggins has had some strong defensive moments, and has seen an uptick in his defensive rebounding, but too often his effort runs on empty.

Article: https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/1/8/16861934/nba-jimmy-butler-minnesota-timberwolves-tom-thibodeau

[mojo13]

OK, call me a Wiggins hater. The Ringer nailed it for me with this evaluation of AW's play this year:

Wiggins is still massively frustrating. With his inefficient scoring, subpar shooting, and nonexistent passing and rebounding, Wiggins will soon replace Jeff Green as The Player Who Isn’t As Good As He Should Be. Lately Wiggins has had some strong defensive moments, and has seen an uptick in his defensive rebounding, but too often his effort runs on empty.

Article: https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/1/8/16861934/nba-jimmy-butler-minnesota-timberwolves-tom-thibodeau

Wiggins hater.



That is a bit of a superficial quote buried within an article really about Jimmy Butler and the Twolves improvement.

Canis Hoopus did a solid, balanced and quite critical article specifically on Wiggins today.
https://www.canishoopus.com/2018/1/8/16857404/andrew-wiggins-and-the-politics-of-fandom-timberwolves-nba

I think y'all will get more out of it. There is some nice comparison to DeRozan and Gay in there showing he is not much different than either in their respective 4th years and he could still go either way (is Gay as a downside comparison really that awful?).

My ongoing conclusion is that is still too early to tell what Wiggins (at age 22) will become, but I agree that as more time passes without major steps forward, however, the less likely it is that he truly emerges as anything more than a score-only guy with moderate efficiency. I just don't agree with people who say they are certain that this is all he will be (or worse). Some here imply he will be washed out of the league ala Bennett in no time. If DeRozan can hit threes in his 9th season and Oliadipo (who is three years older than Wiggins) can break out in his 5th season - Wiggins is still clearly an unknown with loads of potential.

[aminiaturebuddha]

OK, call me a Wiggins hater. The Ringer nailed it for me with this evaluation of AW's play this year:

Wiggins is still massively frustrating. With his inefficient scoring, subpar shooting, and nonexistent passing and rebounding, Wiggins will soon replace Jeff Green as The Player Who Isn’t As Good As He Should Be. Lately Wiggins has had some strong defensive moments, and has seen an uptick in his defensive rebounding, but too often his effort runs on empty.

Article: https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/1/8/16861934/nba-jimmy-butler-minnesota-timberwolves-tom-thibodeau

Wiggins hater.



That is a bit of a superficial quote buried within an article really about Jimmy Butler and the Twolves improvement.

Canis Hoopus did a solid, balanced and quite critical article specifically on Wiggins today.
https://www.canishoopus.com/2018/1/8/16857404/andrew-wiggins-and-the-politics-of-fandom-timberwolves-nba

I think y'all will get more out of it. There is some nice comparison to DeRozan and Gay in there showing he is not much different than either in their respective 4th years and he could still go either way (is Gay as a downside comparison really that awful?).

My ongoing conclusion is that is still too early to tell what Wiggins (at age 22) will become, but I agree that as more time passes without major steps forward, however, the less likely it is that he truly emerges as anything more than a score-only guy with moderate efficiency. I just don't agree with people who say they are certain that this is all he will be (or worse). Some here imply he will be washed out of the league ala Bennett in no time. If DeRozan can hit threes in his 9th season and Oliadipo (who is three years older than Wiggins) can break out in his 5th season - Wiggins is still clearly an unknown with loads of potential.

Count me in that camp as well. Sure, Wiggins has been slightly disappointing so far in his career, as I really thought he would have improved more of his game by now - particularly at the defensive end where he seems to have all the tools to be great. But I'm not ready to write off a 22-year-old yet.

There are born playmakers at the wing position (Lebron being probably the best all-time example) but there are numerous others that don't become good playmakers until later in their careers (DeRozan seems to be following this path). I hope Wiggins develops his playmaking and defence in the next few years.

He still has time to become much more than he is. And worse case scenario is that he is just a good scorer, excellent transition player, and under-rated post player. Still a very useful guy to have for Canada's national program for the next decade.

PS - He had a very good game tonight, helping to lead the Wolves with 25 points and +35 (I know, I know) in a blowout of the Cavs.

[Hair Canada]

PS - He had a very good game tonight, helping to lead the Wolves with 25 points and +35 (I know, I know) in a blowout of the Cavs.

Wiggins, Muray and Lyles all had 20+ games last night. For the last two, it's becoming almost a routine, so no one seems to get excited anymore. Amazing how quickly you get used to good things.

Especially Lyles, who's averaging 20 and 8 in January (still a small sample size) and showing no signs of slowing down after his excellent December. People in the Nuggets must be starting to question the decision to give Milsap that 3-year 90mil contract in the summer. Lyles seems to give a similar production (minus the passing for now) in fewer minutes, but he's getting only 9mil for three years...

[Stromile12]

PS - He had a very good game tonight, helping to lead the Wolves with 25 points and +35 (I know, I know) in a blowout of the Cavs.

Wiggins, Muray and Lyles all had 20+ games last night. For the last two, it's becoming almost a routine, so no one seems to get excited anymore. Amazing how quickly you get used to good things.

Especially Lyles, who's averaging 20 and 8 in January (still a small sample size) and showing no signs of slowing down after his excellent December. People in the Nuggets must be starting to question the decision to give Milsap that 3-year 90mil contract in the summer. Lyles seems to give a similar production (minus the passing for now) in fewer minutes, but he's getting only 9mil for three years...

9 mill over the next three years? Damn.. that is outstanding value if he can continue to play well. Nuggets have been a fun team to watch this year with Murray/Lyle's.