Team Canada Basketball Thread

[Myth11111]

Canada plays Australia in the quarters of the under 17 World Cup. Should win but would play the US in the semis. That is a guaranteed loss so the best they can do is third place.

[Little P]

New FIBA rankings are out surprised Canada hasn’t moved up a spot or 2

[mojo13]

New FIBA rankings are out surprised Canada hasn’t moved up a spot or 2

Not really. Nothing has happened since the last ranking as far as Canada is concerned. The ranking is a formula that that draws from past results in major FIBA events (WC, Olympics, FIBA Americas). The only thing new would be these current qualifiers, but as the FIBA Americas Qualifiers are currently in-process I doubt they are including any results until the event is finished. If it does include recent FIBA Americas qualifier results - wins over the Bahamas, USVI and DR aint going to move the needle much (or at all)

The rankings don't mean much anyways - they are laughable inaccurate if used to judge the current quality of any given team. European teams are often woefully under-ranked and Asian and African teams over ranked. How many counties in the top 20 would Canada be an underdog against if we had our top players. A few maybe? I'd take Bosnia and Herzegovina at 43 over half the teams in front of them. Argentina at #5 is silly nowadays.

[frumble]

XRM in summer league this afternoon:
14 pts and 8 assists in 23 minutes.
4/9 FGs (inc 2/3 from 3) and 4/7 FTs.

[Dtown84]

New FIBA rankings are out surprised Canada hasn’t moved up a spot or 2

Not really. Nothing has happened since the last ranking as far as Canada is concerned. The ranking is a formula that that draws from past results in major FIBA events (WC, Olympics, FIBA Americas). The only thing new would be these current qualifiers, but as the FIBA Americas Qualifiers are currently in-process I doubt they are including any results until the event is finished. If it does include recent FIBA Americas qualifier results - wins over the Bahamas, USVI and DR aint going to move the needle much (or at all)

The rankings don't mean much anyways - they are laughable inaccurate if used to judge the current quality of any given team. European teams are often woefully under-ranked and Asian and African teams over ranked. How many counties in the top 20 would Canada be an underdog against if we had our top players. A few maybe? I'd take Bosnia and Herzegovina at 43 over half the teams in front of them. Argentina at #5 is silly nowadays.

They updated how the rankings are determined last year, and now update after every window. Now things like home/road/neutral site, margin of victory, and quality of opponent are taken into account. Also victories lose value over time, so winning a major tournament 8 years ago, no longer trumps winning a bronze in the current year.

All that said, Canada's only played two games since the last rating and the team in front of them (Germany) won both of their games also. Domincan Republic did go down in the rankings however.

[Little P]

New FIBA rankings are out surprised Canada hasn’t moved up a spot or 2

Not really. Nothing has happened since the last ranking as far as Canada is concerned. The ranking is a formula that that draws from past results in major FIBA events (WC, Olympics, FIBA Americas). The only thing new would be these current qualifiers, but as the FIBA Americas Qualifiers are currently in-process I doubt they are including any results until the event is finished. If it does include recent FIBA Americas qualifier results - wins over the Bahamas, USVI and DR aint going to move the needle much (or at all)

The rankings don't mean much anyways - they are laughable inaccurate if used to judge the current quality of any given team. European teams are often woefully under-ranked and Asian and African teams over ranked. How many counties in the top 20 would Canada be an underdog against if we had our top players. A few maybe? I'd take Bosnia and Herzegovina at 43 over half the teams in front of them. Argentina at #5 is silly nowadays.

They updated how the rankings are determined last year, and now update after every window. Now things like home/road/neutral site, margin of victory, and quality of opponent are taken into account. Also victories lose value over time, so winning a major tournament 8 years ago, no longer trumps winning a bronze in the current year.

All that said, Canada's only played two games since the last rating and the team in front of them (Germany) won both of their games also. Domincan Republic did go down in the rankings however.

I remember reading that somewhere awhile ago surprisingly Bahamas hasn’t moved up a spot even after beating DR at home

[frumble]

Hanlan and Heslip finally saw some playing time in summer league yesterday.

Hanlan 8 points and 5 assists in 22 minutes (3/6 FG)
Hesip 10 points and 1 assist in 8 minutes (4/7 FG)

Long 6 and 4 in 22 mins (2/2)

Vegas summer league starts today.
Clippers (SGA), Bucks (Bell-Haynes), Magic (Birch), and Raptors (Boucher) all playing.

[Little P]

Is the Canada-Australia game on YouTube? Can’t seem to find it anywhere?

[TheFutureMM]

Is the Canada-Australia game on YouTube? Can’t seem to find it anywhere?

Yeah, I found it but it's telling me it's not available in my country... Maybe someone (TSN, DAZN) picked up the rights?

Super annoying.

Edit: Twitter is telling me DAZN has it. Again, really annoying.

[Hair Canada]

Is the Canada-Australia game on YouTube? Can’t seem to find it anywhere?

Yeah, I found it but it's telling me it's not available in my country... Maybe someone (TSN, DAZN) picked up the rights?

Super annoying.

Edit: Twitter is telling me DAZN has it. Again, really annoying.

Yes, very annoying. Seems like DAZN are determined to ruin whatever little pleasures us basketball fans still have... And FIBA, naturally, cooperate.

[Little P]

I’m already paying enoguh for TSN and other sports channels I refuse to buy DAZN. Most Canadians have never heard of it.

[TheFutureMM]

Is the Canada-Australia game on YouTube? Can’t seem to find it anywhere?

Yeah, I found it but it's telling me it's not available in my country... Maybe someone (TSN, DAZN) picked up the rights?

Super annoying.

Edit: Twitter is telling me DAZN has it. Again, really annoying.

Yes, very annoying. Seems like DAZN are determined to ruin whatever little pleasures us basketball fans still have... And FIBA, naturally, cooperate.

Agreed haha. I have another pretty useful site that streams these games - PM me if you need it.

[mojo13]

Some updates over the last week.

Tommy Scrubb signed with Varese in the Italian Series A to be their starting SF. This should keep him available for the Qualifiers. He played well for Scandone but I think left for a more prime time roll and likely more pay.

A new one to put on peoples radar is that former Ottawa Gee Gee SG Johnny Berhanemeskel signsed with Basket Zaragoza of the Spanish ACB until 2020.
He has really excelled at every level he has played and has worked his way up to the best domestic league outside the NBA. He needs to be paid attention to for the Qualfier teams.

I think we saw Kyle Wiltjer signed with Unicaja (Spanish ACB and EuroCup) last week and could be available to the Qaulifier teams.

Talk in LA of XRM pushing for a roster spot and Naz Long the same in Utah. Coin toss if either happens. I saw rumors of Greek teams Pana and Oly looking at Naz if he decides to turn to Europe. They will push hard to call him Greek and count as a domestic player. He could effectively double his payday by doing that as decent Greek players are in such high demand to fill quotas.

I believe Aaron Doornekamp is out of Valencia and on to Tenerife in the ACB (not certain). That gets him out of the EuroLeague and could make available to the Qualfier teams. He’d be a decent add at SF with Tommy Scrubb.

Great to see Shai killing it in summer league. Local LA media is going gaga over him saying he is clearly the best PG from that draft. Some saying he is already the best PG in LA


No more word on Phil Scrubb and where he ends up yet. There were some end of season rumors that Baskonia, Brose and Bayern Munich had interest but nothing more has come of it.

Kevin Pangos has still not officially signed with Barcelona. That is interesting and hopefully not concerning.

[CharlieTO]

Seems like he's leaning Greece. Dunno how credible this source is. They could be printing something they are pushing for.

https://www.eurohoops.net/en/national-teams/707311/naz-mitrou-long-to-get-greek-passport/

[Mirotic12]

Some updates over the last week.

Tommy Scrubb signed with Varese in the Italian Series A to be their starting SF. This should keep him available for the Qualifiers. He played well for Scandone but I think left for a more prime time roll and likely more pay.

A new one to put on peoples radar is that former Ottawa Gee Gee SG Johnny Berhanemeskel signsed with Basket Zaragoza of the Spanish ACB until 2020.
He has really excelled at every level he has played and has worked his way up to the best domestic league outside the NBA. He needs to be paid attention to for the Qualfier teams.

I think we saw Kyle Wiltjer signed with Unicaja (Spanish ACB and EuroCup) last week and could be available to the Qaulifier teams.

Talk in LA of XRM pushing for a roster spot and Naz Long the same in Utah. Coin toss if either happens. I saw rumors of Greek teams Pana and Oly looking at Naz if he decides to turn to Europe. They will push hard to call him Greek and count as a domestic player. He could effectively double his payday by doing that as decent Greek players are in such high demand to fill quotas.

I believe Aaron Doornekamp is out of Valencia and on to Tenerife in the ACB (not certain). That gets him out of the EuroLeague and could make available to the Qualfier teams. He’d be a decent add at SF with Tommy Scrubb.

Great to see Shai killing it in summer league. Local LA media is going gaga over him saying he is clearly the best PG from that draft. Some saying he is already the best PG in LA


No more word on Phil Scrubb and where he ends up yet. There were some end of season rumors that Baskonia, Brose and Bayern Munich had interest but nothing more has come of it.

Kevin Pangos has still not officially signed with Barcelona. That is interesting and hopefully not concerning.

I assume you got this from interbasket....seriously man 90% of the people there are trolls.

First, there is no need for either team to push to make him Greek, as he was already given a Greek passport eligibility. It was over a year ago that the Greek federation processed his documents. What that means is, he just has to physically register in person in Greece, to the local area where his mother comes from. Then there is an official ceremony and whatever. Basically, what it comes down to is, he simply has to wait until the Greek immigration ministry gets to his case (could be 6 months, could be 2-3 years, usually a little over a year). A basketball team cannot push to make him Greek and the federation can't just sell him a nationality. It's different rules than those European countries where naturalized Americans play in their national teams. He can't be naturalized Canadian and be eligible - he has to be full Greek natural born and thus go through all that process.

As far as money being doubled because of that and hardly any good Greek players, and teams like Panathinaikos and Olympiacos wanting him...I call total BS, and typical nonsense at that troll site.

Panathinaikos has at guards,

PG Nick Calathes / Luka Lekavicius
SG Nikos Pappas / Marcus Denmon

and they are supposedly close to signing Jamel Artis. They also have some of the top young talents in Europe at guard positions (Michalis Lountzis, Georgios Kalaitzakis). Unless they cut Pappas or something, where in the world would Long play?

Olympiacos has at guards,

PG Pierria Henry / Nigel Williams Goss / Vassilis Toliopoulos
PG Vassilis Spanoulis / Janis Strelnieks / Nikos Arsenopoulos (one of biggest young talents in Europe)

They use double point guards, so Long might fit to that since he's sort of a combo guard, but they have already Toliopoulos who is easily one of the best Greek players (he would be a star in G-League) and he doesn't even play....plus they have Mantzaris who is like a point forward.

I see no place for Long to even be looked at, unless Spanoulis is suddenly going to retire (but he said recently he was playing at least 3 more years).

And having a Greek passport would never double his salary. True, he might get a little bit more money from one of the bigger Greek clubs like Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, AEK, PAOK, Aris with a Greek passport - but we are talking something like maybe 10% more, or at most 20% more. No one ever got double salary for a domestic nationality. Actually, players like Printezis, Diamantidis, Spanoulis typically earned far less in Greece than they would have elsewhere. Spanoulis has earned about half in Olympiacos what teams in Russia, Turkey, and Spain have consistently offered him. Greek players like Theo Papaloukas and Nikos Zisis spent most of their career outside of Greece, to get more money.

There is no shortage of good Greek players for EuroLeague (that's nonsense, even small Greek clubs have Greek players that can play in EuroLeague). There is a shortage of available free agents, that fit a position and criteria specific need for Olympiacos and Panathinaikos and that the coaches of those teams specifically want and that also the players would accept the exact contract offered them.

Interbasket is full of trolls. They probably don't even know that Long already had Greek documents. Just as an example, take a Greek team like AEK (most of their roster can play in EuroLeague, especially some of their better Greek players like Mavroeidis, Sakota, Vasilopoulos, and Larentzakis, in fact they have a bunch of players that spent years as rotation guys in EuroLeague and some are better players now than they were then (Sakota, Mavroeidis)...so the notion that Long could get huge money just by having a passport is incorrect.

Long could probably a get a pretty decent contract from like PAOK or Aris, or something like that, if they have guard openings. Something like $300,000 net income (more like 600 for NBA terms) or something. But just because you played in G-League and are on an NBA summer league or training camp with a Greek passport is definitely not doubling your salary or putting you in the EuroLeague right off the bat.

Papapetrou just got €800,0000 euros net a season from Panathinaikos...it's about his general value in Europe. He would make like 700-800 in Spain, and maybe about 900 in Italy, Russia and Turkey. Papanikolaou just got €1 million euros net in Olympiacos, and again, that's about his average value in Europe. He would get the same in Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Russia (maybe even more in Turkey and Russia).

Pappas is supposedly getting €700,000 euros net from Panathinaikos and that's probably below his overall value. I am sure he could get around 900k to a million in Turkey or Russia.

They said Spanoulis just signed with Olympiacos for €1 million euros net a season, and that Efes (Turkish club) was offering him €2 million euros net a season - so he literally got half, not double by being Greek and choosing to stay in a Greek team.

The posters at Interbasket are totally clueless.

As far as Pangos goes....it's quite normal for these big EuroLeague teams like Barca to announce a signing through the media (but it's unofficial through the club), and then for awhile to go by before the club announces it. That can happen for same reasons as NBA. Like Pangos could have a contract with Zalgiris until July 10, or 15, or 30 or whatever. Until his conrtact with Zalgiris expires, he can't sign with Barca. It's probably just something that simple.

Seems like he's leaning Greece. Dunno how credible this source is. They could be printing something they are pushing for.

https://www.eurohoops.net/en/national-teams/707311/naz-mitrou-long-to-get-greek-passport/

He already filed his Greek documents last year with the Greek federation. It has nothing to do with the media. That source eurohoops.net is generally very reliable. It's actually the official media site of EuroLeague, so it's at least as reliable as something like ESPN in USA. On the things with teams there, they are just mentioning rumors, not saying it.

[TheFutureMM]

ESPN wrote about the top NBA prospects from the U17 tournament. They had Patterson at 11 and Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe at 14.

Patterson

The clear-cut leader of Canada's fourth-place squad, Patterson had a strong tournament, finishing second with 32 points per 40. An incisive slasher and advanced shot creator blessed with tremendous scoring instincts, Patterson lives in the paint and is extremely creative with the way he generates offense, using polished footwork, ballhandling skills, body control and timing. He does a great job of attacking unbalanced defenses with extreme aggressiveness, and he has some underrated explosiveness that -- along with skill shots -- allow him to finish effectively around the basket. He plays the game somewhat selfishly and isn't the most efficient player, but he does have the ability to find the open man when he wants to with solid court vision and creativity.

Defensively, his average length coupled with his general lack of interest makes him a less-than-effective option when he's not fully locked in. Patterson has been a streaky shooter throughout his career, but it's hard to ignore his overall shot-making prowess and career 75 percent free throw shooting. There are a few minor tweaks he can make with his mechanics -- to not splay his legs on some attempts or jump way forward on others -- that would make a difference.

Patterson's body language and interactions with teammates, opponents and referees often leaves something to be desired. With that said, you have to respect the mentality he brings every time he steps on the floor, as he's simply not afraid of anything. He will probably emerge as a somewhat controversial prospect once he arrives in college because of his extreme strengths and weaknesses. He's currently in the 2020 high school class but is right on the border of potentially being a 2019 recruit with his June birthday.

Moncrieffe

Moncrieffe had a very productive tournament with 23 points and 16 rebounds per 40, showing intriguing long-term potential. Standing 6-6 with a 7-foot wingspan and big hands, he has ideal physical tools for a modern-day wing, and he's a smooth athlete who can play above the rim with ease. Moncrieffe is at his best attacking in the open floor and beating defenders on a straight line with his quick first step and rangy strides, getting to the line at an outstanding rate.

He's not a great ball handler, but he shows you flashes of being able to create offense in more complicated ways, changing hands and mixing in advanced moves. His size, length, athleticism and aggressive nature gives him multipositional versatility defensively as well. The big question Moncrieffe will have to address long term revolves around his jumper, as he was just 2-of-12 from 3 in the spring and summer and is shooting just 65 percent on free throws.

[mojo13]

Naz Long signs a two way contract with the Jazz.

The longer he stays in North America and not playing in Greece the better chance we have at having him play for Canada.

The issue is two way contract players aren’t made available for the qualifiers, so we can’t add him to the Nov/Feb teams.

Perhaps we are surprised and he is included in the Sept team. Lock him down Barrett/Triano!


And not sure if anyone noticed but, Phil Scrubb was god awful with the Wiz in SL. I dont think he made a FG even with starting multiple games (0 for 17 or something). Will be interesting to see what is next with him. I’m doubtful he will end up in the EuroLeague this fall, but hopeful he moves up from Fraport, a mid tier BBL team, to a better team or at least a better domestic league like the ACB. Would be nice to see what he can do in EuroCup competition.


Adika Peter McNeily signed with another different BBL team as well. He continues to be worth watching.

As for other summer league thoughts, you guy watch many games?

Besides SGA looking fantastic I am not sure there is much else that impressed me with our Canadians. I see Chris Boucher had a few good games for the Raps. Possible two way deal?

XRM has runs of looking pretty good (NBA back up good) then pretty bad. Not sure if he gets a camp invite with the Lakers. Good vision, rebounding and defense, but really poor shooter. I guess he’d fit right in with the Lakers as third PG or two way.

Justin Jackson didn’t look to be playing at all. I think he is still unsigned.


Olivier Hanlan even looked pretty decent across a few games. And some Spur fans say he could push for a roster spot.

Heslip looked out of his league. Birch was was hurt and didn’t play much. Didn’t see much Macintosh. Anyone else worth talking about?

Anyone know what Anthony Bennett, Andrew Nicholson, Marc Trasolini might be looking at for the fall?

[Hair Canada]

Very good summary mojo. Haven't watched any of the games, but I agree with your impressions from following the stats. Overall, quite a disappointing showing. Bell-Haynes, playing with Milwaukee, had a good game yesterday and another decent one on his first showing, but was not so good in the other games and I doubt he gets anything concrete after this. Scrubb indeed perhaps most disappointing. I thought he could do much better. It's back to Europe for him. Good for the national team though. And if we're talking NT, While I would like Boucher to get an NBA contract, it would again be good for us if it doesn't happen before February. He's someone who I think can really help in international game.

as for Naz-Long, if he can't play during the winter because of the two-way (still not sure why this should be the case if he's not with the team, but it seems that this is how things are), then it becomes less urgent to lock him down. In all likelihood, the next time MIGHT need him would be in four years, and by then who knows how things would look like and what options we'll have at his position.

[mojo13]

Very good summary mojo. Haven't watched any of the games, but I agree with your impressions from following the stats. Overall, quite a disappointing showing. Bell-Haynes, playing with Milwaukee, had a good game yesterday and another decent one on his first showing, but was not so good in the other games and I doubt he gets anything concrete after this. Scrubb indeed perhaps most disappointing. I thought he could do much better. It's back to Europe for him. Good for the national team though. And if we're talking NT, While I would like Boucher to get an NBA contract, it would again be good for us if it doesn't happen before February. He's someone who I think can really help in international game.

as for Naz-Long, if he can't play during the winter because of the two-way (still not sure why this should be the case if he's not with the team, but it seems that this is how things are), then it becomes less urgent to lock him down. In all likelihood, the next time MIGHT need him would be in four years, and by then who knows how things would look like and what options we'll have at his position.

As long as Brady Healip is anywhere close to the SMNT we need Naz Long.

And with Boucher or anyone on two ways...they are on NBA rosters. The NBA is not releasing anyone in season. Whether they are in the G at the time or not.

[Hair Canada]

Very good summary mojo. Haven't watched any of the games, but I agree with your impressions from following the stats. Overall, quite a disappointing showing. Bell-Haynes, playing with Milwaukee, had a good game yesterday and another decent one on his first showing, but was not so good in the other games and I doubt he gets anything concrete after this. Scrubb indeed perhaps most disappointing. I thought he could do much better. It's back to Europe for him. Good for the national team though. And if we're talking NT, While I would like Boucher to get an NBA contract, it would again be good for us if it doesn't happen before February. He's someone who I think can really help in international game.

as for Naz-Long, if he can't play during the winter because of the two-way (still not sure why this should be the case if he's not with the team, but it seems that this is how things are), then it becomes less urgent to lock him down. In all likelihood, the next time MIGHT need him would be in four years, and by then who knows how things would look like and what options we'll have at his position.

As long as Brady Healip is anywhere close to the SMNT we need Naz Long.

And with Boucher or anyone on two ways...they are on NBA rosters. The NBA is not releasing anyone in season. Whether they are in the G at the time or not.

By the way, another excellent game for Boucher today (18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks in 23 minutes) to end summer league play (Toronto lost). Toronto should definitely offer him that contract. Or someone else.