Team Canada Basketball Thread

[frumble]

Michael Grange has an article re Pangos on Sportsnet.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/canadian-kevin-pangos-likely-wont-make-jump-europe-nba/

Here is the article's discussion of his chances of playing for Canada this summer:

One team interested in Pangos is the Canadian senior men’s team who put him on their list of invitees for this summer’s FIBA World Cup qualifying games in Toronto and Ottawa on June 29 and July 2, respectively.

The interest is mutual, but the timing may not be right. His season in Kaunas goes until mid-June, marking 10-months of competitive basketball. Moreover, he’s a free agent and likely won’t get his contract status firmed up until later this summer and he’s planning a late July wedding to his long-time fiancé – Kate Pennington, a former soccer player at Gonzaga studying nursing.

But if there’s a way to make it happen, he wants to be there this summer and beyond, says Pangos, a point guard on the Canadian under-16 team featuring first overall NBA picks Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett that won bronze at the world championships in 2010 and the under-19 entry as well.

“It’s something I really, really want to do,” he said. “It’s amazing to see all of the talent out of Canada now. Years ago we kind of forecast it, I want to be a part of it.”

[TooBad]

Pangos made Euroleague history this year- 2nd overall in assists per season. And the company comprises names known in the NBA... Might it be that he's not that bad for international basketball?

Pangos had a very good season, but that's a totally nonsense stat though.

EuroLeague was a 10 game season for years. It's become a 30 game season last year. So of course all of the records will be from this year or last year.

If you look at the career leaders of the league in assists for example, guys like Llull and Huertel look like they are on pace to shatter assists records...because they are going to play 10 years with 30 game seasons, when the older players (Papaloukas, Diamantidis, Spanoulius, Jasikevicius and so forth) were playing most their careers with a 10 game season.

So that stat for total assists is basically completely meaningless, other than just for the single season. It can't be used in any way to look like it's the 2nd best season ever.

EuroLegaue has a new marketing company, and they are doing all these marketing gimmicks now. They kept doing the same thing with Doncic all season - every week it was he was setting some all-time record, or whatever - but that "all-time" was only for last season and this season. Same with this total assists stat.

Kevin Pangos signs with Barcelona despite NBA interest.
Rumor is its 2 year deal at 1.5MM euros per year net. So over $3MM USD per year NBA equivalent.

https://sportando.basketball/en/spain/acb/275957/barcelona-agreed-in-principle-to-a-deal-with-kevin-pangos.html

It's more like $4.7 million base a season in NBA money. Because the team will cover the taxes, the agent fees, and the player union fees and retirement fees don't count against it either (all do in NBA). Plus being net and in euros.

With the other bonus things....the club pays the player's general living expenses (condo or apartment, car, utilities, etc,) - it's about $160,000 US dollars a season that is budgeted for each player's living expense. So something around $4.85 million a season if we are talking an NBA salary equivalent.


Canada should try to get Kravic in their selections. He's definitely better than most of their centers.

Watch on YouTube

LOL I used to beat this guy in pickup ball back at York. He never impressed me that much he was just really tall.

[Mirotic12]

Great info on the details of Pangos's deal. Crazy....very doubtful he would have gotten anything close to that in the NBA. Kudos for Kevin on not chasing the NBA pipe dream. Its tough for the North American kids when that is the what they grow up on.

Mirotic - how's Kyle Wiltjer been for Oly? I saw a few very big boxscore games from him when he was starting but it looks like a few guys healed up and he is back to a role player. I'm interested in your opinion on him.

A little hyperbolic on Kravic don't you think? "Most"?
Olynyk, Thompson, Powell, Birch - even Bennett, Nicholson, Lyles can play Center in FIBA to a degree.
Kravic might be in the mix with Sacre, Trasolini, Klassen, Landry, Bachynski but even then it is tough to see any separation from that group (I'll give you Landry and Klassen). He's had one season starting and playing fairly well on a low level Greek team. He is fairly young and on the upswing I give you that. But yes...I'd love to see him in the Canadian fold. He'd be a great add to our midseason Qualifier teams, but he doesn't crack our top 25 at this time.

Comparing Kravic to those other players outside of NBA...he's way better. Also much better than Bennett.

As for Wiltjer, well, he's the same. His outside shooting and range is absolutely ridiculous. He might be the best "pure shooter" in Europe, along with guys like Arturas Milaknis and Dusan Sakota, and his range might be second only to Sakota's - his range at least seems comparable to what guys like Navarro, Spanoulis, and Llull have, and they are all guards. And he also has a quick release.

His shooting ability at his size (he looks 6-10 or 6-11), is ridiculous. He also has a solid face up game, a solid high post game, and a decent low post game.

He's a decent ball handler and passer for his size also.

His athleticism is probably a little underrated - he's a better athlete than people say.

The problem is...he can't stay on the court because of stupid fouls, getting pushed out for rebounds, and getting abused on defense over and over. He is a decent weak side shot blocker, and he does put in effort on defense. So his defense isn't all horrible, it's just that he seriously can't seem to guard any decent 3 or 4 in EuroLeague or Greek League.

It's a shame, because if he could pick up his defense (and thus stay on the court), then he has potential to be a really good scorer. His situation in Olympiacos isn't the easiest. It's a high level EuroLeague team, which is very deep, and also the head coach (Sfairopoulos) is almost a total defense coach. So it's probably one of the hardest team situations he could be in, except they have had so many injuries at his position that it did give him consistent playing time, despite the defense.

Basically, if he is hitting 3's, then he is a plus and useful, if he's not hitting 3's, then you can't have him on the floor, because the other team always goes right at him immediately, and pretty much any decent player scores on him.

[mojo13]

Great info on the details of Pangos's deal. Crazy....very doubtful he would have gotten anything close to that in the NBA. Kudos for Kevin on not chasing the NBA pipe dream. Its tough for the North American kids when that is the what they grow up on.

Mirotic - how's Kyle Wiltjer been for Oly? I saw a few very big boxscore games from him when he was starting but it looks like a few guys healed up and he is back to a role player. I'm interested in your opinion on him.

A little hyperbolic on Kravic don't you think? "Most"?
Olynyk, Thompson, Powell, Birch - even Bennett, Nicholson, Lyles can play Center in FIBA to a degree.
Kravic might be in the mix with Sacre, Trasolini, Klassen, Landry, Bachynski but even then it is tough to see any separation from that group (I'll give you Landry and Klassen). He's had one season starting and playing fairly well on a low level Greek team. He is fairly young and on the upswing I give you that. But yes...I'd love to see him in the Canadian fold. He'd be a great add to our midseason Qualifier teams, but he doesn't crack our top 25 at this time.

Comparing Kravic to those other players outside of NBA...he's way better. Also much better than Bennett.

As for Wiltjer, well, he's the same. His outside shooting and range is absolutely ridiculous. He might be the best "pure shooter" in Europe, along with guys like Arturas Milaknis and Dusan Sakota, and his range might be second only to Sakota's - his range at least seems comparable to what guys like Navarro, Spanoulis, and Llull have, and they are all guards. And he also has a quick release.

His shooting ability at his size (he looks 6-10 or 6-11), is ridiculous. He also has a solid face up game, a solid high post game, and a decent low post game.

He's a decent ball handler and passer for his size also.

His athleticism is probably a little underrated - he's a better athlete than people say.

The problem is...he can't stay on the court because of stupid fouls, getting pushed out for rebounds, and getting abused on defense over and over. He is a decent weak side shot blocker, and he does put in effort on defense. So his defense isn't all horrible, it's just that he seriously can't seem to guard any decent 3 or 4 in EuroLeague or Greek League.

It's a shame, because if he could pick up his defense (and thus stay on the court), then he has potential to be a really good scorer. His situation in Olympiacos isn't the easiest. It's a high level EuroLeague team, which is very deep, and also the head coach (Sfairopoulos) is almost a total defense coach. So it's probably one of the hardest team situations he could be in, except they have had so many injuries at his position that it did give him consistent playing time, despite the defense.

Basically, if he is hitting 3's, then he is a plus and useful, if he's not hitting 3's, then you can't have him on the floor, because the other team always goes right at him immediately, and pretty much any decent player scores on him.

Crazy how much that description sounds like Brady Heslip. Wiltjer is just 9 inches taller.

[raptors4life]

Jamal Murray undecided if he’s playing this summer as per q&a article on Sportsnet , sorry can’t link it right now

[Alfred]

Jamal Murray undecided if he’s playing this summer as per q&a article on Sportsnet , sorry can’t link it right now

That would be a big blow.

[duppyy]

Will the pitchforks be out if Murray doesn't play or is that reserved just for wiggy?

I hope Barrett lives up to the hype, he will take command of the Canadian National Team in the future and hopefully be the end of players not wanting to play.

[frumble]

That would be a signigifant loss. He is pretty much the only guy on the tryout roster capable of creating his own shot.

Here is a link to the article:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/qa-jamal-murray-nuggets-uncertain-canada-basketball-plans/


SN: This is a big summer for you guys. This is the most pros Canada’s ever had on one squad. What’s your excitement level being able to play with all those guys and represent the country?

JM: I don’t know if I’m playing yet.

SN: Oh, I thought you were.

JM: Nah, I don’t know. But if we do it will be great to finally get a good squad together and have everybody playing that’s in the NBA. We’ll be lethal. We’ll be competing for that top spot.


With his participation in doubt, along with Pangos' (see earlier posts), our guard situation looking much worse. If both miss, we would be looking at something like:

Joseph
Scrubb
Heslip
Hanlan
Keane

[Mattd97]

Will the pitchforks be out if Murray doesn't play or is that reserved just for wiggy?

I hope Barrett lives up to the hype, he will take command of the Canadian National Team in the future and hopefully be the end of players not wanting to play.

Until his dad gets fired and he never plays for us again. Nepotism has hurt Canada basketball for so long, both for who it puts on the teams and who it takes off

[frumble]

On a positive note, here are some of Powell's comments re playing for Canada.

http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/americas-qualifiers/news/canadas-powell-ive-been-excited-all-year-to-play-at-home-in-the-qualifiers

"It's definitely an honor," said Powell, who made the comments after helping 66 campers from the Asia-Pacific region at the 10th Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp in Dehli, India. "It's something that growing up as a kid you dream about. You know it would always be an honor to play for your national team. But once you put that jersey on... still, to this day, every single time it's a surreal feeling. You kind of get goosebumps every training camp."

"This will be the first time I actually play on home soil and I've definitely been excited about it all year. Hopefully we can get the job done and compete the right way and defend home court," he said.


Re loss to Venezuela in 2015:

"Yeah, that was tough. That was a very, very difficult pill to swallow," Powell recalled. "We were definitely very excited and hopeful and we were playing well and competing well. We came up against a team that was also playing very well and we didn't get it done.

"That's something that we will all live with for the rest of our lives because there are only so many opportunities on the FIBA level in your career, as opposed to your club career where it's year after year. So that's a sting that still burns."

"Hopefully the guys who were part of that team and are part of this team coming up have that fresh in their mind like I know that I do," he said. "I think the whole team will carry that for the rest of our national team lives. Just being that close - it will definitely add some fuel to the fire."

[JDOB]

So Murray is questionable to play. Does this include the two exhibition games in BC against China as well?

[TooBad]

That would be a signigifant loss. He is pretty much the only guy on the tryout roster capable of creating his own shot.

Here is a link to the article:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/qa-jamal-murray-nuggets-uncertain-canada-basketball-plans/


SN: This is a big summer for you guys. This is the most pros Canada’s ever had on one squad. What’s your excitement level being able to play with all those guys and represent the country?

JM: I don’t know if I’m playing yet.

SN: Oh, I thought you were.

JM: Nah, I don’t know. But if we do it will be great to finally get a good squad together and have everybody playing that’s in the NBA. We’ll be lethal. We’ll be competing for that top spot.


With his participation in doubt, along with Pangos' (see earlier posts), our guard situation looking much worse. If both miss, we would be looking at something like:

Joseph
Scrubb
Heslip
Hanlan
Keane

I love the shot at Wiggins by Murray.

SN: This past year you had people saying that you already are the best Canadian player we have in the country. What’s it like for you in your second year to be in that conversation?

JM: I really pride myself on playing for Canada and representing the country in any way I can. It is humbling to be considered in that category. You’ve got Kelly Olynyk. You know you got Steve Nash who is an all-time favourite of mine and a Hall of Famer, he was considered to own that category for his entire career. He changed the game to the point that now there are so many Canadians playing to debate about. So, to be considered amongst them is great.

[Mattd97]

.

[aminiaturebuddha]

With the inclusion of guys like Murray and Pangos on the camp invite list, I sort of overlooked the fact that XRM wasn't on it. Anyone know why he wasn't included? If the other guys really aren't going to participate, he would definitely help.

[mojo13]

With the inclusion of guys like Murray and Pangos on the camp invite list, I sort of overlooked the fact that XRM wasn't on it. Anyone know why he wasn't included? If the other guys really aren't going to participate, he would definitely help.

Summer league games start on July 6th and practice likely well before that. My assumption is he is choosing to focus on that instead. Rightfully so. I can’t see a scenario where Keane or Hanlan would be invited over XRM

People mention Pangos as an uncertainty. My read is him signing with Barca only ups the odds of him playing. He FA status was the biggest concern to me.

[frumble]

With the invite list being relatively short (18), I assumed Basketball Canada already had firm commitments from a lot of players. And given the specific note that Ennis, Lyles, Stauskas, and Wiggins were not available for the June/July games, I assumed the NBA players that were on the list were pretty firm. Guess I was wrong, at least with respect to Murray.


U18 Americas starts in a couple days. Still no word from Basketball Canada re the final roster?

For those who live in Southern Ontario, any buzz re the tournament?

[Hair Canada]

The U18 final roster is out. Andrew Nembhard, Wheza Panzo, Emmanuel Miller, AJ Lawson, Joel Brown, Tyrese Samuel, Jahcobi Neath, Addison Patterson, Connor Vreeken, Jevonnie Scott, and the Bediako brothers. Overall what you'd expect, but a couple of surprises. Here's my review of the roster, the competition, and the chances:

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1712953

[TooBad]

Jamal Murray is in Denver working out...hopefully he's getting ready for Team Canada.

[frumble]

Canada's U17 training camp roster announced today.

http://www.basketball.ca/tickets-on-sale-for-canada-vs-jamaica-p154191%26language=en/news-article/17-athletes-selected-for-u17-mens-national-team-training-camp?platform=hootsuite

Our leading scorers at last summer's U16s were McNeilly, SRM, and Sakota, with Ndur getting a lot of boards. They are all on the list, along with other rotation players from last summer Todd, Krikke, and Bediako.

Four players from our U16 team from last year are not on the list: Shand, Case, Koulibaly, and Radocaj.

Three underage players on the list:
Caleb Houstan (2003 born)
Charles Bediako (2002) (also on the U18 team)
Zach Edey (2002) (listed as 7'2")

Notable 01 borns on the list who did not play at the U16s last summer include include Patterson, Hemmings, and Moncrieffe.


Hair Canada,
Any insights on the roster? I know you have written about Houstan before. Any thoughts on Edey?

Do you think Patterson and Bediako are likely to play U17s given U18 participation?

Any thoughts on Paris Shand not being there?

[aminiaturebuddha]

That's a very talented list for the U17s.If Patterson and Bediako actually play, it could be one of the deepest teams we've had at that level.

I'm also curious about Edey, as I don't really know anything about him (and especially if Bediako doesn't do double duty). Any insights would be appreciated, Hair or anyone else.