Team Canada Basketball Thread

[aminiaturebuddha]

Tor and Ott announced as the sites for the Canada Day weekend qualifying games against the DR and VI.

http://www.basketball.ca/en/news-article/toronto-and-ottawa-to-host-upcoming-fiba-basketball-world-cup-20

Now less than three weeks away from the road game against VI. Anyone hearing anything re the roster?

Nope. Not much.
Phil Scrubb's knee is still messed up and thus I heard Rowan Barrett was attending a few 905 games scouting a replacement. Likely Aaron Best or maybe just looking at Keane closer.

A couple FIBA Americas teams have announced their player pools - lots of European teams have as well, with still many including EuroLeague players. Precedent has been set by Canada Basketball over and over - don't expect anything more than 7-10 days out.

XRM has been ballin' in the G so lets hope he doesn't get a call up. Dyshawn Pierre and Tommy Scrubb have been playing great in Italy, so hopefully they get more minutes for Canada. Assuming no real reinforcements to the Nov team - it seems our best players right now are XRM and Hanlan with some Heslip sprinkled in at Guard. Pierre and T. Scrubb at Wing/forward and Trasolini / Bennett up front. If they tighten up the rotation and keep Keane/Anthony/Glaze/Klassen off the floor except for emergencies it is not horrible but not that impressive roster.
I'd throw all the minutes they could handle at XRM/Hanlan/Pierre and pray Bennett can bring some value (he dropped 29 points 10/16 FGs and 7/12 3Pts last night in probably his best G-League game - but was 1/7 FG for 2 points the night before in 34 minutes).
XRM killed it Wed. night against the 905 going for 26/7/5.
XRM, Hanlan, Bennett and Long are clearly our best in the G - it would be nice to have all four for these upcoming games.

Has the Chinese league specifically prohibited players from being released? Or is it just that traveling to and from Asia for qualifying games would be such a pain in the ass that no players have really considered it? If he's not technically barred from participating, Team Canada officials should really put a hard sell on Nicholson.

Having consistent offence from the PF/C position would make a huge difference for this team, especially in games against the Virgin Islands and the Bahamas, where our talent and athleticism in transition and at the defensive end should provide us with an advantage, provided that we don't have prolonged spells where we go cold in half court offence situations.

[mojo13]

Tor and Ott announced as the sites for the Canada Day weekend qualifying games against the DR and VI.

http://www.basketball.ca/en/news-article/toronto-and-ottawa-to-host-upcoming-fiba-basketball-world-cup-20

Now less than three weeks away from the road game against VI. Anyone hearing anything re the roster?

Nope. Not much.
Phil Scrubb's knee is still messed up and thus I heard Rowan Barrett was attending a few 905 games scouting a replacement. Likely Aaron Best or maybe just looking at Keane closer.

A couple FIBA Americas teams have announced their player pools - lots of European teams have as well, with still many including EuroLeague players. Precedent has been set by Canada Basketball over and over - don't expect anything more than 7-10 days out.

XRM has been ballin' in the G so lets hope he doesn't get a call up. Dyshawn Pierre and Tommy Scrubb have been playing great in Italy, so hopefully they get more minutes for Canada. Assuming no real reinforcements to the Nov team - it seems our best players right now are XRM and Hanlan with some Heslip sprinkled in at Guard. Pierre and T. Scrubb at Wing/forward and Trasolini / Bennett up front. If they tighten up the rotation and keep Keane/Anthony/Glaze/Klassen off the floor except for emergencies it is not horrible but not that impressive roster.
I'd throw all the minutes they could handle at XRM/Hanlan/Pierre and pray Bennett can bring some value (he dropped 29 points 10/16 FGs and 7/12 3Pts last night in probably his best G-League game - but was 1/7 FG for 2 points the night before in 34 minutes).
XRM killed it Wed. night against the 905 going for 26/7/5.
XRM, Hanlan, Bennett and Long are clearly our best in the G - it would be nice to have all four for these upcoming games.

Has the Chinese league specifically prohibited players from being released? Or is it just that traveling to and from Asia for qualifying games would be such a pain in the ass that no players have really considered it? If he's not technically barred from participating, Team Canada officials should really put a hard sell on Nicholson.

Having consistent offence from the PF/C position would make a huge difference for this team, especially in games against the Virgin Islands and the Bahamas, where our talent and athleticism in transition and at the defensive end should provide us with an advantage, provided that we don't have prolonged spells where we go cold in half court offence situations.

Luis Scola played for ARG in Nov. and was their leading scorer. He plays in the same league as Nicholson. This seems a indivual player/club decision. Nicholson seem eligible to me, but he or his club decided he couldn't play back in Nov (same deal with Ejim for that matter). everyone here should hit him up on Twitter and give him some Canadian love.

I Am sure there were other guys released from the CBA to play for their national teams. Blatche maybe? Most of the Chinese team plays in that league.

[slothrop8]

It's hilarious that a smart thing for Canada basketball would be random fans reaching out to Andrew Nicholson on Twitter to leave China and come play qualifying in Jamaica in the middle of February. "Listen Andrew, leave your paying job, fly all day, come play hoops for free in Jamaica? C'mon! You know you wanna."

[mojo13]

Gotta tug on those Canadian heartstrings and we may be his only fans. Plus it is the Bahamas....

[Hair Canada]

Tor and Ott announced as the sites for the Canada Day weekend qualifying games against the DR and VI.

http://www.basketball.ca/en/news-article/toronto-and-ottawa-to-host-upcoming-fiba-basketball-world-cup-20

Now less than three weeks away from the road game against VI. Anyone hearing anything re the roster?

Nope. Not much.
Phil Scrubb's knee is still messed up and thus I heard Rowan Barrett was attending a few 905 games scouting a replacement. Likely Aaron Best or maybe just looking at Keane closer.

A couple FIBA Americas teams have announced their player pools - lots of European teams have as well, with still many including EuroLeague players. Precedent has been set by Canada Basketball over and over - don't expect anything more than 7-10 days out.

XRM has been ballin' in the G so lets hope he doesn't get a call up. Dyshawn Pierre and Tommy Scrubb have been playing great in Italy, so hopefully they get more minutes for Canada. Assuming no real reinforcements to the Nov team - it seems our best players right now are XRM and Hanlan with some Heslip sprinkled in at Guard. Pierre and T. Scrubb at Wing/forward and Trasolini / Bennett up front. If they tighten up the rotation and keep Keane/Anthony/Glaze/Klassen off the floor except for emergencies it is not horrible but not that impressive roster.
I'd throw all the minutes they could handle at XRM/Hanlan/Pierre and pray Bennett can bring some value (he dropped 29 points 10/16 FGs and 7/12 3Pts last night in probably his best G-League game - but was 1/7 FG for 2 points the night before in 34 minutes).
XRM killed it Wed. night against the 905 going for 26/7/5.
XRM, Hanlan, Bennett and Long are clearly our best in the G - it would be nice to have all four for these upcoming games.

Thanks as always for the useful review mojo.

Really too bad about Phil. Without him, we are very thin in high-level talent.

XRM is really a pleasant surprise this year. In his years at Florida State, it seemed like he was flat-lining or even going back with each year. Started off really well in his rookie year (including that amazing 30-points in 4 minutes game), but then scored fewer points on fewer minutes in the next two seasons and really didn't seem like an NBA prospect anymore. I think you are right that with his current playing he might get a chance. Hopefully, not in the next three weeks.

[aminiaturebuddha]

By the way, in the less-than-heavyweight matchup last night of the two guys who I think should give up on their NBA dreams, Stauskas and Ennis, neither of them even saw the court in a meaningless February game where the Lakers beat the Nets.

I agree with you, Hair Canada, that it's unlikely to happen, but everyday I'm more convinced that it would be better for them both, long term, to try to take their talents to Europe.

[mojo13]

Tor and Ott announced as the sites for the Canada Day weekend qualifying games against the DR and VI.

http://www.basketball.ca/en/news-article/toronto-and-ottawa-to-host-upcoming-fiba-basketball-world-cup-20

Now less than three weeks away from the road game against VI. Anyone hearing anything re the roster?

Nope. Not much.
Phil Scrubb's knee is still messed up and thus I heard Rowan Barrett was attending a few 905 games scouting a replacement. Likely Aaron Best or maybe just looking at Keane closer.

A couple FIBA Americas teams have announced their player pools - lots of European teams have as well, with still many including EuroLeague players. Precedent has been set by Canada Basketball over and over - don't expect anything more than 7-10 days out.

XRM has been ballin' in the G so lets hope he doesn't get a call up. Dyshawn Pierre and Tommy Scrubb have been playing great in Italy, so hopefully they get more minutes for Canada. Assuming no real reinforcements to the Nov team - it seems our best players right now are XRM and Hanlan with some Heslip sprinkled in at Guard. Pierre and T. Scrubb at Wing/forward and Trasolini / Bennett up front. If they tighten up the rotation and keep Keane/Anthony/Glaze/Klassen off the floor except for emergencies it is not horrible but not that impressive roster.
I'd throw all the minutes they could handle at XRM/Hanlan/Pierre and pray Bennett can bring some value (he dropped 29 points 10/16 FGs and 7/12 3Pts last night in probably his best G-League game - but was 1/7 FG for 2 points the night before in 34 minutes).
XRM killed it Wed. night against the 905 going for 26/7/5.
XRM, Hanlan, Bennett and Long are clearly our best in the G - it would be nice to have all four for these upcoming games.

Thanks as always for the useful review mojo.

Really too bad about Phil. Without him, we are very thin in high-level talent.

XRM is really a pleasant surprise this year. In his years at Florida State, it seemed like he was flat-lining or even going back with each year. Started off really well in his rookie year (including that amazing 30-points in 4 minutes game), but then scored fewer points on fewer minutes in the next two seasons and really didn't seem like an NBA prospect anymore. I think you are right that with his current playing he might get a chance. Hopefully, not in the next three weeks.

Im actually of the opinion XRM got better and better each year at FSU. You just gotta look past the flash and see the substance.
As a freshman he was a score first SG. He was high volume, very inefficient, careless with the ball and played poor defense. And not an NBA prospect.
He switched to a Fulltime PG as a sophomore the first he ever really played PG. The scoring obviously dipped but he became a pretty good PG and a much better player. Great defense, low TOs, decent playmaking, great rebounding and a solid scorer when he picks his spot.

He was never gonna make the league as a SG. He and his coach saw that and made an impressive rework of his game.

[aminiaturebuddha]

It's not filled with any deep analysis, but a good article nonetheless on Jamal Murray's recent hot streak and what it means for the Nuggets, if this is an indication of the player he's going to become. The article has links to some great plays, especially in the 2-man game between him and Jokic.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/2/2/16965740/jamal-murray-denver-nuggets

[mojo13]

Tommy Scrubb says - no more excuses. We have enough talent.
http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/americas-qualifiers/news/no-more-excuses-for-thomas-scrubb-canada-in-next-windows

He is right of course. Just in our non-NBA talent we have more than enough highlevel players playing (and excelling) in the best leagues in the world to be competitive with the top teams in the world. It comes down to coaching, systems, chemistry, experience, management.




And after two nice wins by the Lakers that coincided with DNP-CDs by Tyler Ennis - Lakers fans are now hosting online celebrations every time he DNPs. Tough to disagree with them at this point....
On a brighter note - Dwight Powell has started the last two Mavs games and has played pretty well.

I also like checking in on big Sim Bhullar every once in a while for curiosities' sake. He is having near 30 point 30 rebound games in Taiwan and it would be interesting to see him step up his level of competition. Seems like a fairly bush league with the names on their leader boards like an aged Peter John Ramos, Quincy Davis, Liam McMorrow.
http://www.asia-basket.com/Taiwan/news/520764/Sim-Bhullar-gets-MVP-of-the-Week-award-for-Taiwanese-SBL-(by-Interperformances)

[Hair Canada]

It's not filled with any deep analysis, but a good article nonetheless on Jamal Murray's recent hot streak and what it means for the Nuggets, if this is an indication of the player he's going to become. The article has links to some great plays, especially in the 2-man game between him and Jokic.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/2/2/16965740/jamal-murray-denver-nuggets

What I'm really happy to see lately with Jamal is the improvement of his passing. Over the last 8, in addition to scoring 25 points a game (50% from 3), he also dished more than 5 assists a game. These are not huge assist numbers, but they are significantly better than what he's shown in the past. If he can remain consistent in this aspect of his game, that's great news for Denver, but maybe even more for the national team, as Canada is in dire need high-level guards who can create for others, not just themselves (Wiggins).

[mojo13]

It's not filled with any deep analysis, but a good article nonetheless on Jamal Murray's recent hot streak and what it means for the Nuggets, if this is an indication of the player he's going to become. The article has links to some great plays, especially in the 2-man game between him and Jokic.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/2/2/16965740/jamal-murray-denver-nuggets

What I'm really happy to see lately with Jamal is the improvement of his passing. Over the last 8, in addition to scoring 25 points a game (50% from 3), he also dished more than 5 assists a game. These are not huge assist numbers, but they are significantly better than what he's shown in the past. If he can remain consistent in this aspect of his game, that's great news for Denver, but maybe even more for the national team, as Canada is in dire need high-level guards who can create for others, not just themselves (Wiggins).

The pieces could definitely fall in place. Although I still think Wiggins might be our best individual player. It seems clear Murray could pass him by the end of the year. Further in FIBA I have thought for a few years that Olynyk was our most important player and I am now seeing not only Murray is right there as well, but the combination of Olynyk and Murray and the right role players around them is the key for Team Canada's success assuming we qualify for the 2019 WCs. The Jokic/Murray combination is magical and KO is the closest thing to Jokic out there and he happens to be Canadian (what luck!).

Wiggins would be a fantastic slasher/finisher to pair with the play-making and shooting of Murray and KO (will some two way support from CoJo). The floor space they could open up for Wiggins is intriguing. Powell could be an interesting fit in there as well but is massively reliant on a creative P&R partner like Barrera. TT and Birch are very reliant role players as well but could fill a important role in the right line up. Birch may be more important than TT, as he represents the only elite rim protection Canada has. Lyles, Brooks, CoJo can all do a little more on their own.
It would be quite a luxury to have 100% turnout and to mix and match at will (probably will never happen) - but I am now on board recognizing in FIBA Murray and KO are our two more important pieces. But Wiggins would have a tremendous impact in a complimentary role as well.


and last week in Canadian Pros News:
http://www.usbasket.com/Canada/news/522009/Andrew-Nicholson's-43-points-make-him-top-Canadian-player-abroad-of-the-week
- Andrew Nicholson still lighting it up in China's CBA.(42% from three on the season, with 2.4 made a game is impressive - anyone know their 3pt line distance? FIBA? or NBA?)
- Ejim coming around and playing better of late.
- Dyshawn Pierre still playing great.
- Kenny Cherry still playing well and leading a mid-level Spanish ACB club (this is a little surprising to me, and why I keep pointing it out). I've never thought a great deal of him, but he could be a top 5-8 Canadian PG.

[TooBad]

I hope Bennett is available for Canada this month. He's been playing very well in the g-league recently (3 games straight of 20+ pts) and as a former #1 pick I could see him getting a 10 day really soon which would suck for us. I'm glad he finally figured out how to shoot though 45% from 3 is good even for the g-league

[Hair Canada]

last week in Canadian Pros News:
http://www.usbasket.com/Canada/news/522009/Andrew-Nicholson's-43-points-make-him-top-Canadian-player-abroad-of-the-week
- Andrew Nicholson still lighting it up in China's CBA.(42% from three on the season, with 2.4 made a game is impressive - anyone know their 3pt line distance? FIBA? or NBA?)
- Ejim coming around and playing better of late.
- Dyshawn Pierre still playing great.
- Kenny Cherry still playing well and leading a mid-level Spanish ACB club (this is a little surprising to me, and why I keep pointing it out). I've never thought a great deal of him, but he could be a top 5-8 Canadian PG.

Thanks Mojo.

Nicholson really looks good. Too bad he's not very likely to come to the Bahamas in two weeks. But maybe Bennett will look better this time.

And too bad Dylan Ennis is not in consideration. He's really been breaking through in the last couple of Euroleague games. Looks like a decent Euroleague player right now, and we don't have too many of these.

Never saw Kenny Chery play and don't know much about him except that he's from Montreal. Was he ever on a national team?

[Hair Canada]

Dillon Brooks over his last 12 games: 11 games in double figures, averaging 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists a game in about 30 minutes of play. Clearly, the best stretch he's had, showing some impressive consistency, even though Memphis hasn't been winning much lately.

His rebound and assist numbers during this 12-game stretch are about the same as those of Andrew Wiggins for the season. Brooks scores considerably less, but in fewer minutes and with greater efficiency. And he's a better defender.

Wiggins is still probably the better overall player at this point (I know Too Bad would disagree), but it's not that far I think. And the fact that we can even consider making this comparison (a fourth-year #1 pick with a second-round pick rookie) says a lot about how much Brooks has exceeded all expectations (and yes, also about Wiggins).

[aminiaturebuddha]

The pieces could definitely fall in place. Although I still think Wiggins might be our best individual player. It seems clear Murray could pass him by the end of the year. Further in FIBA I have thought for a few years that Olynyk was our most important player and I am now seeing not only Murray is right there as well, but the combination of Olynyk and Murray and the right role players around them is the key for Team Canada's success assuming we qualify for the 2019 WCs. The Jokic/Murray combination is magical and KO is the closest thing to Jokic out there and he happens to be Canadian (what luck!).

Wiggins would be a fantastic slasher/finisher to pair with the play-making and shooting of Murray and KO (will some two way support from CoJo). The floor space they could open up for Wiggins is intriguing. Powell could be an interesting fit in there as well but is massively reliant on a creative P&R partner like Barrera. TT and Birch are very reliant role players as well but could fill a important role in the right line up. Birch may be more important than TT, as he represents the only elite rim protection Canada has. Lyles, Brooks, CoJo can all do a little more on their own.
It would be quite a luxury to have 100% turnout and to mix and match at will (probably will never happen) - but I am now on board recognizing in FIBA Murray and KO are our two more important pieces. But Wiggins would have a tremendous impact in a complimentary role as well.



- Kenny Cherry still playing well and leading a mid-level Spanish ACB club (this is a little surprising to me, and why I keep pointing it out). I've never thought a great deal of him, but he could be a top 5-8 Canadian PG.

A few years ago I thought that Team Canada could really have something fun if a coach could use Olynyk and Stauskas in a 2-man game, and we saw a little of it in that ill-fated Americas tournament. But the thought of offensive sets designed around Olynyk-Murray pick and rolls is enough to get me to start prematurely dreaming of podium finishes. I agree, the luxury of the offensive versatility (and to a lesser extent, defensive versatility) they would have would have with 100% turnout would be unmatched in Canadian basketball history.

I remember liking Chery the few times that I saw him back when he played with Baylor. I though he was kind of like a poor-man's Tyler Ennis at the time. I haven't really followed him since, but it seems as though he has continued to improve, while Ennis' career has stalled, despite Chery being a senior when he left school and Ennis being a freshman. I don't believe he's ever played with Team Canada at any level, so I don't know how difficult it would be to try to bring him into the fold now, but he might be a good person to consider. Currently, Trae Bell-Haynes at Vermont seems like a similar type of player - a little undersized, and doesn't stand out in any one particular area, but able to do a lot of things well at the point guard position.

[mojo13]

Just to clear it up. Kenny Cherry played u18s for Canada in 2010.

[Alfred]

By the way, in the less-than-heavyweight matchup last night of the two guys who I think should give up on their NBA dreams, Stauskas and Ennis, neither of them even saw the court in a meaningless February game where the Lakers beat the Nets.

I agree with you, Hair Canada, that it's unlikely to happen, but everyday I'm more convinced that it would be better for them both, long term, to try to take their talents to Europe.

Really sucks about Stauskas. I thought he'd be an NBA player for sure. Lots of transferable skills.

[mojo13]

So who the heck is Gordie Herbert?
Never heard of him and is our new head coach for the Feb Qualfiers. Anyone?
http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/americas-qualifiers/news/canada-name-gordie-herbert-to-coach-second-window-of-americas-qualifiers


TORONTO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Canada Basketball has announced that Germany-based Gordie Herbert will coach Canada for the upcoming second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers.

"It is an absolute honour to have the opportunity to once again represent Canada as our journey towards the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 continues," said Herbert, who coaches German BBL club Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt.


Herbert, who turns 59 on February 16, will make his debut as Canada senior team head coach for the country's road games against Virgin Islands on February 22 and Bahamas on February 25. Both of those Qualifiers will be played in the Bahamas capital Nassau.

"With a wealth of experience, both as a player and a coach, Gordie is a good leader who has FIBA championship level coaching experience," said Rowan Barrett, Canada Basketball's Assistant General Manager/Executive Vice-President. "Having coached within the European domestic leagues, European competitions and the EuroLeague, Gordie is one of Canada's best international coaches and we are happy to have him back in our program."

Herbert, a native of Penticton, British Columbia, replaces Roy Rana, who is unavailable due to his coaching commitments at Ryerson University. Canada Basketball said Rana will continue to work with the team during the second window as his availability allows.

"Despite being unavailable to coach in this window, Roy continues to be a valued member and important coaching resource for the senior men's national team program," Barrett added.

As a player, Herbert helped Canada to fourth place at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics and featured at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 1986 in Spain. He also won the gold medal at the 1983 Universiade in Edmonton.

Herbert was an assistant coach for Canada at the World Cup in 2002 and was in charge of the Georgia national team coach from 2005-07.

He is coaching a Frankfurt side that includes Canadian international Philip Scrubb, who is currently out injured. He has worked with a number of other Canadian players over the years with Skyliners, including Jermaine Bucknor, Aaron Doornekamp and Andrew Rautins.

Canada are 1-1 in Group D of the Americas Qualifiers after a 93-69 victory at home over Bahamas before losing at Dominican Republic 88-76 in the November window.





The only interesting thing I can say, is that he is currently coaching Phil Scrubb. I mean, I hope I am pleasantly surprised here, but this doesn't help with consistency and familiarity and adds to the meme than Canada Basketball is a disorganized headless mess.

[slothrop8]

Great start - we've got a coach. Now just need players, and we'll be right in this thing!

[Hair Canada]

So who the heck is Gordie Herbert?
Never heard of him and is our new head coach for the Feb Qualfiers. Anyone?
http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/americas-qualifiers/news/canada-name-gordie-herbert-to-coach-second-window-of-americas-qualifiers


TORONTO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Canada Basketball has announced that Germany-based Gordie Herbert will coach Canada for the upcoming second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers.

"It is an absolute honour to have the opportunity to once again represent Canada as our journey towards the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 continues," said Herbert, who coaches German BBL club Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt.


Herbert, who turns 59 on February 16, will make his debut as Canada senior team head coach for the country's road games against Virgin Islands on February 22 and Bahamas on February 25. Both of those Qualifiers will be played in the Bahamas capital Nassau.

"With a wealth of experience, both as a player and a coach, Gordie is a good leader who has FIBA championship level coaching experience," said Rowan Barrett, Canada Basketball's Assistant General Manager/Executive Vice-President. "Having coached within the European domestic leagues, European competitions and the EuroLeague, Gordie is one of Canada's best international coaches and we are happy to have him back in our program."

Herbert, a native of Penticton, British Columbia, replaces Roy Rana, who is unavailable due to his coaching commitments at Ryerson University. Canada Basketball said Rana will continue to work with the team during the second window as his availability allows.

"Despite being unavailable to coach in this window, Roy continues to be a valued member and important coaching resource for the senior men's national team program," Barrett added.

As a player, Herbert helped Canada to fourth place at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics and featured at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 1986 in Spain. He also won the gold medal at the 1983 Universiade in Edmonton.

Herbert was an assistant coach for Canada at the World Cup in 2002 and was in charge of the Georgia national team coach from 2005-07.

He is coaching a Frankfurt side that includes Canadian international Philip Scrubb, who is currently out injured. He has worked with a number of other Canadian players over the years with Skyliners, including Jermaine Bucknor, Aaron Doornekamp and Andrew Rautins.

Canada are 1-1 in Group D of the Americas Qualifiers after a 93-69 victory at home over Bahamas before losing at Dominican Republic 88-76 in the November window.

The only interesting thing I can say, is that he is currently coaching Phil Scrubb. I mean, I hope I am pleasantly surprised here, but this doesn't help with consistency and familiarity and adds to the meme than Canada Basketball is a disorganized headless mess.

Yes, quite strange. I'm unaware of any other country that plays musical chairs with coaches like this. It's not even like someone who was the assistant coach in November steps in. And the silver lining with Scrubb would be valid if Scrubb was not injured and actually not likely to play...

Also, I like Rana, and he's led the U19 team last summer to arguably the greatest achievement in Canadian basketball history. But I find the priorities here a bit twisted. He really couldn't leave a well-trained Canadian college team in the hands of one of his assistants for one or two weeks to be with the national team and create some consistency? Somehow, it seems like with coaches, just as it is with players, commitment to the national team mostly tends to come last. In the average European national team, the coach will either not coach a team, or if he does, it goes without saying that he'll leave the team during the campaign. And these are professional teams, not college...