Team Canada Basketball Thread

[Mattd97]

Cmon Wiggins... I've defended you plenty and get why you hate triano, but cmon

[frumble]

I am not surprised re Wiggins' absence. But Lyles?

Anyway, looking at who is on the invite list, assuming all invitees are available, I think the final roster will be something like:

Olynyk
Powell
Thompson
One of Birch and Boucher
One of Bennett and Nicholson

Brooks
Ejim

Murray
Pangos
Scrubb
Joseph
Heslip (I might rather have Hanlan, but I doubt Heslip gets cut)

But I doubt all 18 are available, and it would not surprise me if T. Scrubb makes it on.

[bozothepope]

I'm pleased to see who's attending, but really disappointed with Wiggins.

[NirvanaFC]

Where do I buy tickets for the June game in Toronto?

[aminiaturebuddha]

Beat me to it, frumble, I was coming to post the list too.

I guess the big question is if these guys have all said that they're available for the games, or just coming for the workout and practice as has happened in the past.

But if that's even close to the team that we'll see this summer, I'm feeling really good about our ability to win these last two games of round 1.

I'm a little disappointed that Lyles isn't there as well, but even still, scoring should be no problem at all. A crunch time lineup of Pangos, Murray, Brooks, Powell and Olynyk would be pretty deadly. And then with guys like Birch and Thompson for defensive purposes, it would be a solid team all around.

Just a short note on Thompson. He doesn't get much love around here, or anywhere for that matter (getting sucked into the Kardashian celebrity cesspool didn't help - along with his reported philandering), and I realize that his offence is limited, and doesn't seem to fit with the international style of play, but I think he deserves a lot of respect for the dedication that he's shown to the national program. He's about to go to yet another finals, which means that it'll be the fourth year in a row that he's played a very long season, and yet he's still willing to commit to playing for the national team in games that don't even come with a notable reward at the end (ex. a tournament trophy). For all of the complaining that we used to do about guys like Jamaal Magloire, who never showed up, we should be equally praising Thompson (and Joseph) for their commitment to the team.

[aminiaturebuddha]

Also, I'm really happy to see Boucher's name on the list. Not sure if he'll end up making the team this summer if Olynyk, Powell, Thompson, Nicholson and Birch are all committed, but I think he'll be a very useful player for the program going forward.

[hsb]

Great invite list and always appreciate to see the players who sign up. This team is has a mean streak; CoJo, Murray, Olynyk, TT and Birch are all players that play tough.

I'm borderline surprised to see TT, he has been playing a lot of basketball over the last few years. Another run to the finals but the Brampton man is still representing.

[hsb]

Beat me to it, frumble, I was coming to post the list too.

I guess the big question is if these guys have all said that they're available for the games, or just coming for the workout and practice as has happened in the past.

But if that's even close to the team that we'll see this summer, I'm feeling really good about our ability to win these last two games of round 1.

I'm a little disappointed that Lyles isn't there as well, but even still, scoring should be no problem at all. A crunch time lineup of Pangos, Murray, Brooks, Powell and Olynyk would be pretty deadly. And then with guys like Birch and Thompson for defensive purposes, it would be a solid team all around.

Just a short note on Thompson. He doesn't get much love around here, or anywhere for that matter (getting sucked into the Kardashian celebrity cesspool didn't help - along with his reported philandering), and I realize that his offence is limited, and doesn't seem to fit with the international style of play, but I think he deserves a lot of respect for the dedication that he's shown to the national program. He's about to go to yet another finals, which means that it'll be the fourth year in a row that he's played a very long season, and yet he's still willing to commit to playing for the national team in games that don't even come with a notable reward at the end (ex. a tournament trophy). For all of the complaining that we used to do about guys like Jamaal Magloire, who never showed up, we should be equally praising Thompson (and Joseph) for their commitment to the team.

I agree wholeheartedly, the amount of commitment we've seen overall in the past couple of years has been so great to see and shows how incredible this generation of talent has been in not only talent, but consistently taking time out of their schedule to represent the country in international tournaments. CoJo, TT, Heslip, the list goes on...

[Hair Canada]

Beat me to it, frumble, I was coming to post the list too.

I guess the big question is if these guys have all said that they're available for the games, or just coming for the workout and practice as has happened in the past.

But if that's even close to the team that we'll see this summer, I'm feeling really good about our ability to win these last two games of round 1.

I'm a little disappointed that Lyles isn't there as well, but even still, scoring should be no problem at all. A crunch time lineup of Pangos, Murray, Brooks, Powell and Olynyk would be pretty deadly. And then with guys like Birch and Thompson for defensive purposes, it would be a solid team all around.

Just a short note on Thompson. He doesn't get much love around here, or anywhere for that matter (getting sucked into the Kardashian celebrity cesspool didn't help - along with his reported philandering), and I realize that his offence is limited, and doesn't seem to fit with the international style of play, but I think he deserves a lot of respect for the dedication that he's shown to the national program. He's about to go to yet another finals, which means that it'll be the fourth year in a row that he's played a very long season, and yet he's still willing to commit to playing for the national team in games that don't even come with a notable reward at the end (ex. a tournament trophy). For all of the complaining that we used to do about guys like Jamaal Magloire, who never showed up, we should be equally praising Thompson (and Joseph) for their commitment to the team.

I'm completely with you on TT (and Joseph). Especially when seeing Wiggins repeatedly get out of these tournaments. And I also think that if he comes in a "Cavs mode" (that is, bring the hassle and defense and sticking to what he's good at, not trying to do too much) he's a valuable asset for the team and can fit the international mode defensively, as he's able to put a body on opposing bigs while also being able to switch and cover the perimeter. Plus he's has the most significant playoff experience in this roster, playing big minutes in games that really matter.

[Yeezus_]

Can someone send me the Team Canada schedule (I want to watch all our games) and the significance of what's coming up for team Canada? Isn't there some last chance Olympic qualifying tournament that is yet to be played?

[frumble]

Where do I buy tickets for the June game in Toronto?

Here is a link to the ticketmaster page for the U18 games in St. Catharines (in June).

https://www.ticketmaster.ca/FIBA-Championship-tickets/artist/2137942?tm_link=browse_act_1_name

[Pooh_Jeter]

A nice roster coming to camp I'm super excited to see what this team looks like. Definitely have to single out the commitment TT has shown. Incredibly long seasons and he has been banged up, but he is still showing up. I think having some dynamic guards and stretch bigs next to him will make TT a lot more effective. In the past he has shouldered far too much of an offensive role and that obviously isn't his game.

Jamal Murray has to be the most dynamic guard that has suited up for Canada since Nash, no? As much as Wiggins absence hurts the wings, the emergence of Brooks should ease that quite a bit. There is also the possibility of running 3 guard lineups that don't include Heslip. Between Murray, Joseph, P. Scrubb and Pangos there shouldn't be an over reliance on one or two guards to do all the heavy lifting. Just looking at the overall roster, beyond the wing there is a lot of quality depth. You don't have the obvious one or two glaring weaknesses in the rotation unless there is some real nepotism with the roster selection.

As others have said, I'm not sure what the overall commitment will look like. It seems as though these guys will be available for both the exhibitions and the actual qualification games, but who really knows. Given the games against China are only exhibitions it would make sense for the roster to be expanded and allow for some of the guys coming off long seasons not to play extended minutes.

We will truly know this is the golden age of Canada Basketball when Heslip isn't a shoe-in for the team and isn't receiving a lions share of the media attention and promotion. I can't wait for the terrible basketball journalists in this country to bend over backwards lauding his contributions to this team.

[TooBad]

I am not surprised re Wiggins' absence. But Lyles?

Anyway, looking at who is on the invite list, assuming all invitees are available, I think the final roster will be something like:

Olynyk
Powell
Thompson
One of Birch and Boucher
One of Bennett and Nicholson

Brooks
Ejim

Murray
Pangos
Scrubb
Joseph
Heslip (I might rather have Hanlan, but I doubt Heslip gets cut)

But I doubt all 18 are available, and it would not surprise me if T. Scrubb makes it on.

I hate wiggins but Lyles was never a sure thing. I can't believe Murray couldn't convince him though,

[WellYouKnow]

TT, Olynyk, Powell, Birch, Ejim

Murray, CoJo, Brooks, Pangos, Scrubbx2, Heslip

imo

[TooBad]

PG Joseph/Pangos
SG Murray/Heslip/Hanlan
SF Brooks/Ejim
PF Olynyk/Bennett/Nicholson
C Thompson/Powell/Birch/Boucher

[mojo13]

PG Joseph/Pangos
SG Murray/Heslip/Hanlan
SF Brooks/Ejim
PF Olynyk/Bennett/Nicholson
C Thompson/Powell/Birch/Boucher

That’s 14. So cut two and make the tough decisions.

Phil Scrubb is clearly a better player than Hanlan and Heslip IMO. He led the BBL in scoring this year and probably moves up to the EuroLeague. Heslip and Hanlan have not done much professionally.

Nicholson found he three ball in china this year too. He was deadly with it.

[TooBad]

PG Joseph/Pangos
SG Murray/Heslip/Hanlan
SF Brooks/Ejim
PF Olynyk/Bennett/Nicholson
C Thompson/Powell/Birch/Boucher

That’s 14. So cut two and make the tough decisions.

Phil Scrubb is clearly a better player than Hanlan IMO.

Hanlan and boucher. Heslip is a specialist so I'll keep him to spread the floor.

[slothrop8]

Great roster, excited to see who makes the final cut. I'm not that surprised Wiggins didn't play, and it's too bad because the roster could use one more guy at the 3 spot. But even without Wiggins and Lyles, this is likely the best roster we've ever assembled. We should destroy teams this summer.

[WellYouKnow]

https://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/2018/05/28/no-andrew-wiggins-for-canada-in-next-world-cup-qualifiers.html

Barrett didn’t give a specific reason for Wiggins not being part of the group.

“His initial desire was to play,” he said. “I do think he had some circumstances come up that are going to limit his ability to play for us in June.

The door is open for September potentially as well.”

Atleast we know theres communication between them. Somewhat encouraging to hear he's not ruling out playing for the team altogether

[mojo13]

Great roster, excited to see who makes the final cut. I'm not that surprised Wiggins didn't play, and it's too bad because the roster could use one more guy at the 3 spot. But even without Wiggins and Lyles, this is likely the best roster we've ever assembled. We should destroy teams this summer.

I really like the roster pool as well. Clearly the best group of talent Canada has ever put together hands down. The only thing close to me was 2015 where all the main guys were three years less experienced. I’d be pretty happy with this turnout entering a Wolrd Cup or Olympics.

And really the only missing piece here is Wiggins. Lyles isn’t missed much as we have so much depth at the 4.
Pangos and maybe even Phil Scrubb are better players than Tyler Ennis and maybe Nik Stauskas. At the very least Pangos is far more suited and valuable in FIBA ball than Tyler Ennis. The leadership, familiarity with FIBA rules and multiple seasons in the pressure cooker leading a EuroLeague team versus a 15th man on the NBA who can’t shoot.

We might even get to see Heslip in his proper role. A fifth or sixth guard who comes in for a heat check to rain threes.

I’d roll with a roster of:

PG Joseph/Pangos
SG Murray/P Scrubb / Heslip
SF Brooks/Ejim
PF Olynyk/Nicholson
C Powell/Thompson/Birch