Team Canada Basketball Thread

[mojo13]

Weekly reminder than Kevin Pangos is easlily a top 15 Canadian player. Maybe top 10.

Today In 1st round EuroLeague action Kevin Pangos (20pts/6ast) leads Zalgiris to a Game 1 overtime away victory vs Olympiacos. Solid upset. Much of that production coming late in the 4th and in overtime where he really took control.

This not the same player we last saw at Gonzaga. So much improvement.

[TooBad]

Speaking of Dort, Rivals released their final 150 ranking for the class of 2018. Overall, this is considered by many NBA scouts as a weaker class (certainly compared to the one that is up for the 2017 draft). But it's becoming quite clear that it's going to be the strongest Canadian class EVER.

The Rivals ranking doesn't include Dort and Iggy, as they only rank those who played in a US high schools. Still, six Canadians are among the top 150 (five in the top 100):

#1 Barrett. He's coming off an MVP performance at the Nike Hoop Summit, where he led the World team to a win over the US team. Rivals claim they had a tough time deciding between him and Nassir Little, who is the new "it" thing in this class (won MVP at both the McDonald's All American and the Jordan Brand Classic, where Barrett didn't play). Personally, I don't think it's that close given everything that Barrett has shown.

#7 Simi. Interesting ranking, given his injury and the chances that he's not going to return 100%. Simi is young and ACL injuries are not what they used to be 20 years ago, but there's still a risk that athleticism and strength are going to suffer, at least short-term and these are critical features in Simi's game.

#17 Nembhard. Quite a high ranking for him (higher than where I'd put him). Love his game (intelligence, composure, defensive instincts and tenacity, and of course passing) but I still think his long-term potential is somewhat more limited. Hope I'm wrong and they're right.

#77 Dalano Banton. The first time they're putting him in the top 150. Glad to see scouts are finally starting to recognize his talent. I said it before and will repeat -- I think he has NBA potential. Love his length and the smoothness and confidence in his game. Reminds me of SGA. Just take a look at this footage from the BioSteel game (which he only was added to last minute because of some injuries. That's how under-the-radar he still is):

https://youtu.be/SlLwlK9Syeo

#94 Jaelin Llewellyn. I'm also quite high on him. Reminds me of Lindell Wigginton. Less powerful, but just as athletic and a better PG.

#119 -- Noah Kirkwood. I agree with this ranking (I saw him somewhere as a top-60, but don't think he is). Nice height and skills, but limited physically (average athlete and short wingspan) and doesn't have anything that makes him a clear-cut NBA potential for me. Again, hope I'm wrong.

Beyond these, there are, as I said, Dort and Brazdeikis. While both are not ranked, it's clear that both would be top-100 players, even top-50. Rivals rank Iggy as a 5-star, which would put him somewhere in the top-30 if he was eligible for the ranking. And Dort they consider a 4-star, but I think he's also up there.

That's surprising because most consider him 5 stars like espn recruiting

[Hair Canada]

Speaking of Dort, Rivals released their final 150 ranking for the class of 2018. Overall, this is considered by many NBA scouts as a weaker class (certainly compared to the one that is up for the 2017 draft). But it's becoming quite clear that it's going to be the strongest Canadian class EVER.

The Rivals ranking doesn't include Dort and Iggy, as they only rank those who played in a US high schools. Still, six Canadians are among the top 150 (five in the top 100):

#1 Barrett. He's coming off an MVP performance at the Nike Hoop Summit, where he led the World team to a win over the US team. Rivals claim they had a tough time deciding between him and Nassir Little, who is the new "it" thing in this class (won MVP at both the McDonald's All American and the Jordan Brand Classic, where Barrett didn't play). Personally, I don't think it's that close given everything that Barrett has shown.

#7 Simi. Interesting ranking, given his injury and the chances that he's not going to return 100%. Simi is young and ACL injuries are not what they used to be 20 years ago, but there's still a risk that athleticism and strength are going to suffer, at least short-term and these are critical features in Simi's game.

#17 Nembhard. Quite a high ranking for him (higher than where I'd put him). Love his game (intelligence, composure, defensive instincts and tenacity, and of course passing) but I still think his long-term potential is somewhat more limited. Hope I'm wrong and they're right.

#77 Dalano Banton. The first time they're putting him in the top 150. Glad to see scouts are finally starting to recognize his talent. I said it before and will repeat -- I think he has NBA potential. Love his length and the smoothness and confidence in his game. Reminds me of SGA. Just take a look at this footage from the BioSteel game (which he only was added to last minute because of some injuries. That's how under-the-radar he still is):

https://youtu.be/SlLwlK9Syeo

#94 Jaelin Llewellyn. I'm also quite high on him. Reminds me of Lindell Wigginton. Less powerful, but just as athletic and a better PG.

#119 -- Noah Kirkwood. I agree with this ranking (I saw him somewhere as a top-60, but don't think he is). Nice height and skills, but limited physically (average athlete and short wingspan) and doesn't have anything that makes him a clear-cut NBA potential for me. Again, hope I'm wrong.

Beyond these, there are, as I said, Dort and Brazdeikis. While both are not ranked, it's clear that both would be top-100 players, even top-50. Rivals rank Iggy as a 5-star, which would put him somewhere in the top-30 if he was eligible for the ranking. And Dort they consider a 4-star, but I think he's also up there.

That's surprising because most consider him 5 stars like espn recruiting

Actually, every notable scouting agency I can think of (Scout, 247, Future 150, Rivals) rank Dort as a 4-star and he's only considered a 5-star in ESPN. Personally, I think he's somewhere in between (a 4.5 if you like). That is, I think he will probably eventually get to the NBA, but as I said, before that he'll have to seriously improve his handle and creativeness around the basket (+ continue working on his outside shot), because he will not have this type of advantage and will not be able to rely on his physicals as much in college and certainly not in the NBA.

[UcanUwill]

Weekly reminder than Kevin Pangos is easlily a top 15 Canadian player. Maybe top 10.

Today In 1st round EuroLeague action Kevin Pangos (20pts/6ast) leads Zalgiris to a Game 1 overtime away victory vs Olympiacos. Solid upset. Much of that production coming late in the 4th and in overtime where he really took control.

This not the same player we last saw at Gonzaga. So much improvement.

Love him, he is becoming one of my all time favorites non domestic Zalgiris players. Dude is a beast, 2 wins away from final 4, which would be sensational result for such an underdog team. Too bad Zalgiris will not be able to keep him, man is about to get paid.

[frumble]

Weekly reminder than Kevin Pangos is easlily a top 15 Canadian player. Maybe top 10.

Today In 1st round EuroLeague action Kevin Pangos (20pts/6ast) leads Zalgiris to a Game 1 overtime away victory vs Olympiacos. Solid upset. Much of that production coming late in the 4th and in overtime where he really took control.

This not the same player we last saw at Gonzaga. So much improvement.

Love him, he is becoming one of my all time favorites non domestic Zalgiris players. Dude is a beast, 2 wins away from final 4, which would be sensational result for such an underdog team. Too bad Zalgiris will not be able to keep him, man is about to get paid.

Any indication from interviews, twitterverse, etc. that Pangos will suit up for the national team this summer or anytime again?

[mojo13]

This summer seems iffy since he will be a FA. A very important summer for him as (as noted above) as he is in for a big pay day bump if he stays in Europe, but he could alternatively make the move to the NBA. I keep seeing Twitter rumors that more than a couple NBA teams are interested. But he will have a big decision to make if he is only offered partial guaranteed deals from the NBA whereas he will be looking a very meaningful fully guaranteed money from a EuroLeague team. But Birch did exactly this and walked away from serious guaranteed money.

Two chances to play for Canada this summer but neither may work out. Personally I feel Pangos will play for Canada when the time is right. I've followed him since the pre-Gonzaga days and he always seems pretty engaged with his "Canadianess" and interested and committed to the SMNT. He is always talking about Canada and the national team in interviews and he seems good personal friends with a number of guys. Olynyk in particular, Powell, Pierre, Bennett.

I am not sure anyone even knew he had Slovenian roots until he showed up in Europe playing on that passport (it makes huge financial sense to do this - both Scrubbs play on a GBR passport, Doornekamp on a Dutch passport). I'd be very shocked to see him play for Slovenia if that is the concern.

[slothrop8]

Slightly off-topic for Team Canada basketball - but related to basketball in Canada in general - there's a fair bit of Raptors/Raptors 905 content in the Euroleague Final 8. From the 905 Axel Toupane plays with Zalgiris, Walter Tavares with Real Madrid, and Kyle Wiltjer who had been assigned to the 905 but he left for Olympiacos is on the roster but drew a DNP in the first playoff game. Jason Thompson had a cup of coffee with the Raptors and now plays for Fenerbahce, and of course one time Raptor Nando de Colo with CSKA - although de Colo got hurt in Game 1 and apparently will miss the rest of the playoffs.

[frumble]

This summer seems iffy since he will be a FA. A very important summer for him as (as noted above) as he is in for a big pay day bump if he stays in Europe, but he could alternatively make the move to the NBA. I keep seeing Twitter rumors that more than a couple NBA teams are interested. But he will have a big decision to make if he is only offered partial guaranteed deals from the NBA whereas he will be looking a very meaningful fully guaranteed money from a EuroLeague team. But Birch did exactly this and walked away from serious guaranteed money.

Two chances to play for Canada this summer but neither may work out. Personally I feel Pangos will play for Canada when the time is right. I've followed him since the pre-Gonzaga days and he always seems pretty engaged with his "Canadianess" and interested and committed to the SMNT. He is always talking about Canada and the national team in interviews and he seems good personal friends with a number of guys. Olynyk in particular, Powell, Pierre, Bennett.

I am not sure anyone even knew he had Slovenian roots until he showed up in Europe playing on that passport (it makes huge financial sense to do this - both Scrubbs play on a GBR passport, Doornekamp on a Dutch passport). I'd be very shocked to see him play for Slovenia if that is the concern.

No particular concern re him playing for Slovenia (though I do recall a poster many years ago - not sure if it was on this board or the Zags Spokesman Review board - who claimed he would play for Slovenia).

More of a general concern given how many years it has been since he played for Canada.
Glad to hear he still brings up the national team in interviews.

[Ell Curry]

Final 2017-18 PER for Canadians:

Powell 18.8 (career high)
Lyles 17.9 (career high)
Olynyk 17.8 (career high)
Birch 16.4
Murray 16.1 (career high)

Thompson 13.6 (lowest since rookie season)
Wiggins 13.0 (career low)
Ennis 11.1
Joseph 10.9
Brooks 9.8

Stauskas 9.0

Not enough minutes for XRM, Long, or Boucher to make their data meaningful.
(arguably the same could be said for Birch, Ennis, and Stauskas, with only about 500 minutes each).

Good to see career highs from the stretch bigs.

We really are in solid shape going forward in terms of team structure.

Powell-Olynyk-Lyles doesn't have any stars, but 3 different kind of bigs who should all be able to hit the FIBA 3. Powell's a good rim runner and Olynyk a nice stretch 5 and Lyles seems annoying but I do really like his game as a modern starting 4.

Barrett-Wiggins-Brooks we'll see how Barrett does but if he's what you'd expect from a top 2-3 pick in the draft that's a solid enough wing rotation. Would be great if Gilgous-Alexander's shot and game progress and he can give us another solid wing defender and secondary ballhandler since Wiggins has proven quite limited in that regard.

And Murray has made a leap and now looks like a definite top 15 PG going forward, and we have some decent backup PG options.

[TooBad]

Final 2017-18 PER for Canadians:

Powell 18.8 (career high)
Lyles 17.9 (career high)
Olynyk 17.8 (career high)
Birch 16.4
Murray 16.1 (career high)

Thompson 13.6 (lowest since rookie season)
Wiggins 13.0 (career low)
Ennis 11.1
Joseph 10.9
Brooks 9.8

Stauskas 9.0

Not enough minutes for XRM, Long, or Boucher to make their data meaningful.
(arguably the same could be said for Birch, Ennis, and Stauskas, with only about 500 minutes each).

Good to see career highs from the stretch bigs.

We really are in solid shape going forward in terms of team structure.

Powell-Olynyk-Lyles doesn't have any stars, but 3 different kind of bigs who should all be able to hit the FIBA 3. Powell's a good rim runner and Olynyk a nice stretch 5 and Lyles seems annoying but I do really like his game as a modern starting 4.

Barrett-Wiggins-Brooks we'll see how Barrett does but if he's what you'd expect from a top 2-3 pick in the draft that's a solid enough wing rotation. Would be great if Gilgous-Alexander's shot and game progress and he can give us another solid wing defender and secondary ballhandler since Wiggins has proven quite limited in that regard.

And Murray has made a leap and now looks like a definite top 15 PG going forward, and we have some decent backup PG options.

Murray made a leap for the first half of the season and then regressed a lot. I don't know why the hell he has such a hard time shooting now. He was a great shooter in college but is pretty inefficient in the NBA, Honestly, I thought that Dillon Brooks had a better season overall (two way-player and better play maker).

[mojo13]

Brady Heslip running into some problems in Turkey.
http://www.eurobasket.com/Turkey/news/529790/Trabzonspor-terminates-unpaid-foreign-imports

This is what I think Khem Birch has alluded to before. I think his Turkish club stopped paying him as soon as they knew they were going to lose him to Oly.

[TheFutureMM]

Wiggins had a solid game yesterday in a Minnesota win over Houston - 20 points on 7/11 shooting, 5 rebounds/assists, and 1 steal/block/turnover.

That's the kind of statline that if consistent, would change the narrative on him as a player. Hoping Minnesota can win one more game to at least make a series out of it.

Watch on YouTube

[mojo13]

Wiggins had a solid game yesterday in a Minnesota win over Houston - 20 points on 7/11 shooting, 5 rebounds/assists, and 1 steal/block/turnover.

That's the kind of statline that if consistent, would change the narrative on him as a player. Hoping Minnesota can win one more game to at least make a series out of it.

Playoff Andrew Wiggins is efficient Andrew Wiggins.

3gms vs. HOU: 17p 6r 3a (50% FG 42% 3ptrs) and his shot selection...

Paint: 62% (13/21)
Mid: 29% (2/7)
3ptrs: 42% (5/12)

83% of his shots have come from paint/3-point line

[TooBad]

Wiggins had a solid game yesterday in a Minnesota win over Houston - 20 points on 7/11 shooting, 5 rebounds/assists, and 1 steal/block/turnover.

That's the kind of statline that if consistent, would change the narrative on him as a player. Hoping Minnesota can win one more game to at least make a series out of it.

Playoff Andrew Wiggins is efficient Andrew Wiggins.

3gms vs. HOU: 17p 6r 3a (50% FG 42% 3ptrs) and his shot selection...

Paint: 62% (13/21)
Mid: 29% (2/7)
3ptrs: 42% (5/12)

83% of his shots have come from paint/3-point line

He played well yesterday but he made a lot of bad plays in the first two games. His stats look Ok overall but outside of yesterday he hasn't been very good in the series although that can be said for most of the team.

[TheFutureMM]

Koby McEwen to Marquette.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/2018/04/22/marquette-adding-transfer-point-guard-koby-mcewen-utah-state/540998002/

[Hair Canada]

Koby McEwen to Marquette.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/2018/04/22/marquette-adding-transfer-point-guard-koby-mcewen-utah-state/540998002/

Seems like a good choice, but too bad he has to sit one out. Seems like Marquette is going to be a bit of a "Canadian" team for the next three year, with Chrtouny playing there for his senior year next season and then Koby for the two following years. Will be nice to have some more representation in the Big East (the only others, as far as I know, are Christian David in Butler and Juggy Blair in Georgetown, who will both enter their sophomore season, hoping to see more minutes).

[Hair Canada]

A great season finale game for Olynyk to cap off a great season. 18, 8, 7, and 3 steals, showing again his versatility and value.

Excluding the fourth game, where he was mostly benched (less than 10 minutes), he gave a great playoff and was clearly Miamis best big, with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game in the post-season.

[mojo13]

A great season finale game for Olynyk to cap off a great season. 18, 8, 7, and 3 steals, showing again his versatility and value.

Excluding the fourth game, where he was mostly benched (less than 10 minutes), he gave a great playoff and was clearly Miamis best big, with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game in the post-season.

I’m seeing Olynyk in many of the promo graphics from Basketball Canada for the Toronto and Ottawa Qualfier games. Fingers crossed that means something. Seeing Ejim, Heslip allot too.

[slothrop8]

Murray made a leap for the first half of the season and then regressed a lot. I don't know why the hell he has such a hard time shooting now. He was a great shooter in college but is pretty inefficient in the NBA, Honestly, I thought that Dillon Brooks had a better season overall (two way-player and better play maker).

I'd take issue with this statement a little - Murray had one of the more efficient shooting seasons for any guard in the league. To throw some parameters on it - there were 81 guards play at least 50 games and carry 18% USG this season - Murray ranked 17th of the 81 in True Shooting this season - one tenth of a percentage point behind Victor Oladipo who should make an All-NBA team, two tenths of a percentage better than Lou Williams who will likely be 6th man of the Year: http://bkref.com/tiny/0vMbY


Most impressively, there have 61 guards in the history of the NBA who played 50 games and carried 18% USG at age 20 or younger - Murray's season ranks as the 3rd most efficient in the history of basketball for players at his age and usage level behind only 79-80 Magic Johnson and 08-09 Eric Gordon : http://bkref.com/tiny/8vHuU

[Hair Canada]

ESPN just called Justin Jackson's decision to declare for the draft this year "the biggest mistake" (out of all the decisions taken before the early-entry deadline). Jeff Goodman writes:

"A year ago, the 6-foot-7 Maryland forward was considered a guy who could play his way into the first round in this year's draft. However, his season ended due to a shoulder injury after 11 games and now one NBA executive told me he wouldn't be shocked if Jackson goes undrafted. But Jackson has signed with an agent, instead of returning to the Terrapins and showing NBA guys he is worthy of a first-round pick."

I admit that I also thoguht Justin should have stayed another year. But I think this is a bit much. First, none of us knows the situation at Maryland better than Justin and it might be that he jus didn't feel good about what things will look like next year or didn't like his chances to shine in what stands to be one of the deeper front courts in college next year.

Beyond that, I would be quite surprised if Jackson doens't get drafted at all. But even if that's the case, I'm not sure it would be such a bad thing. He has enough of a name and his potential high enough to still get a contract with a team, and in that situation he'll have his pick, rather than be tied to one team and have to wait for their decision about him. And even if he end up spending a year or two in the G-league, I'm not sure that's worse for his development than another short college year, playing basketball that is very different than that played in the NBA. If he's good enough, he'll get a chance.