Team Canada Basketball Thread V2.0

[WellYouKnow]

Some serious drama coming out of Venezuela and a possibility that the team doesn’t make it to Canada.
Supposedly someone within their federation stole a bunch of funds dedicated to the team for travel and salary. Visas were never processed for Canada. And their really is no Canadian embassy working in Venezuela now with the current turmoil.

Supposedly the Canadian embassy in DR is stepping up and trying to process all the players since they are already in DR. Not sure if that clears up the money issues but it is a good first start.

We need this game to avenge ourselves!

Would be nice if a wealthy county like Canada can help out with food/accommodation or whatever else while they are our guests.

I seriously dislike Venezuela ( their national basketball team anyways), but this would be so hollow and disappointing if they can't make it and are forced to forfeit.

[aminiaturebuddha]

Some serious drama coming out of Venezuela and a possibility that the team doesn’t make it to Canada.
Supposedly someone within their federation stole a bunch of funds dedicated to the team for travel and salary. Visas were never processed for Canada. And their really is no Canadian embassy working in Venezuela now with the current turmoil.

Supposedly the Canadian embassy in DR is stepping up and trying to process all the players since they are already in DR. Not sure if that clears up the money issues but it is a good first start.

We need this game to avenge ourselves!

Would be nice if a wealthy county like Canada can help out with food/accommodation or whatever else while they are our guests.

The visa problem shouldn't have had anything to do with the functioning of the Canadian embassy in Venezuela, since Venezuelan visas have been processed through our embassy in Mexico since 2013. I guess it was just a case of the Venezuelan government being a basket case and not getting the applications in in time.

Still, I hope it gets sorted out and, as you suggested, Canada can come through with some way to help out their athletes to make this game happen. It would be a great practical demonstration of what people always talk about - that sport should be above politics and serve to bring people together rather than tear them apart.

[mojo13]

I am not 100% sure I understand the situation or details to date as I am trying to follow along via Tweets in Spanish from a couple journalists.

I get stolen money, failure to process visas...leading to possible forfeit. But the Canadian embassy in DR got involved yesterday and is helping on the visa front. The people Tweeting about it seem quite relieved - So it seems that part is sorted out. And b-ball is pretty important in Venezuela and this would look really bad on them so you’d think there was other sources of money.

[mojo13]

Here is Team USAs roster for next week:
DJ Hogg
Michael Frazier
Travis Trice
Charles Cooke
Chris Chiozza
Josh Adams
Kyle Casey
Reggie Hearn
Tanner McGrew
Xavier Munford
Chinanu Onuaku
Emanuel Terry
Cameron Reynolds

The play ARG and PAN which neither game is of consequence besides perhaps seeding. ARG is missing three of its best players that have played in all the other windows.

[aminiaturebuddha]

I flipped back and forth between the Vanderbilt-Auburn and the Michigan-Maryland games this morning. A few thoughts.

Simi has those flashes where you can see his talent, and he'll make plays that absolutely show NBA level skill, but man, otherwise he really needs to learn how to play. I'm starting to worry that Vanderbilt isn't the best place for him to do that though.

Others have spoken about his lack of attention and deficiencies on the defensive end. On the offensive end, he'll often do a good job getting good post position, or finding an open spot on the floor, and Vanderbilt's guards just have no idea how to get him the ball or make a simple post pass. This causes him to lose focus and start to drift at that end too, basically taking himself out of plays. Obviously the effort and drive are 100% his problem and something he'll need to work on, but it must be frustrating as a big that he only seems to be able to get offence if he's the one initiating from 30 feet out from the hoop. The ironic thing is that he's actually a very good and willing passer when he has the ball. He really needs to become more engaged, but I just hope the situation around him improves next year.

Iggy in the Michigan game was his usual self. He missed a few shots, but generally played aggressive and made good plays within the flow of what Michigan does. I couldn't help feeling, though, that he could really use an extra year to try to refine his game overall to get ready for the NBA.

In fact, of the high level Canadian prospects, if the draft were to be held today, the only guys I think should declare would be Barrett, Clarke, Alexander-Walker, and maybe Kabengele if he got a first round promise. I think everyone else should go back to school for at least another year, and that includes guys like Dort, Iggy, Wigginton, Lawson, Simi, Brissett (who may never make it), and Nembhard.

[mojo13]

I agree with you on almost everything. But I think Dort has shown enough that he is a first rounder if he declares for 2019. Returning to ASU for a year would certainly help but if you are a certain first rounder you proabably declare. He is not certain yet, but someone I could still easily see in the 2019 first round. I still peg him at 50/50 for 2019.

[NotMyKawhi]

RJ 23, 10 and 11....no turnovers and perfect from the line. Big game for RJ

I don't look at the volume shooting as a bad thing tbh bc he does everything....if this kid learns to shoot, his godfather better watch his back for GOAT canadian

[TheFutureMM]

Just took a quick peak of the last week's worth of posts but I didn't see anyone put up the latest DraftExpress mock from Feb 12th - Canadian's are ranked as follows:

2. RJ Barrett
16. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
19. Brandon Clarke
27. Lu Dort

No sign of Iggy, Simi, and/or Wigginton - probably best that that they all stay put.

[BilboBanginz]

Watch on YouTube

23 Pts (7/9 FGs), 3 Rbs, 3 Asts in only 24 minutes for Wigginton off the bench against Kansas State the other day. He's been pretty inconsistent this year, but he's also had to adjust to a new role on the team with a bunch of new faces. Hopefully he can finish the season strong and work his way back into the draft conversation.

[Mirotic12]

Joel Anthony had 6 blocks against AEK today. They lost the game but still very impressive

Read on Twitter

The difference in footspeed in the Euro Leagues vs. the NBA is astounding. Joel is a plodding big man by NBA standards but is looking like prime Kirilenko in this video.

Joel Anthony plays in Argentina's league. He's never played in Europe, and he certainly never played in EuroLeague. In Argentina's league (which is miles worse than EuroLeague), he's a solid player (8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block per game), but definitely not some kind of star.

And as for the game in the video, Anthony's team was basically blown out of the game from start to finish. The whole game was basically garbage time. I seriously doubt if he could make the rotation of any team in EuroLeague, even the worst ones.

What cup is this? Outside of TA Euroleague, I completely out on Euro club ball these days

I made a thread about it and how it totally exposed the ridiculously awful NBA G-League.............of course it was locked........

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1807441

[UcanUwill]

Joel Anthony had 6 blocks against AEK today. They lost the game but still very impressive

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The difference in footspeed in the Euro Leagues vs. the NBA is astounding. Joel is a plodding big man by NBA standards but is looking like prime Kirilenko in this video.

Joel Anthony plays in Argentina's league. He's never played in Europe, and he certainly never played in EuroLeague. In Argentina's league (which is miles worse than EuroLeague), he's a solid player (8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block per game), but definitely not some kind of star.

And as for the game in the video, Anthony's team was basically blown out of the game from start to finish. The whole game was basically garbage time. I seriously doubt if he could make the rotation of any team in EuroLeague, even the worst ones.

What cup is this? Outside of TA Euroleague, I completely out on Euro club ball these days

I made a thread about it and how it totally exposed the ridiculously awful NBA G-League.............of course it was locked........

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1807441

No need to be so defensive Euro fanboy man, but yeah, G league team losing by 30 points to Brazilian Flamengo, show that to that idiot GYK or wahts his name, who claims G league is Euroleague caliber Euroleague team would probably beat that Austin team by 50 points at least.

[Mirotic12]

No need to be so defensive Euro fanboy man, but yeah, G league team losing by 30 points to Brazilian Flamengo, show that to that idiot GYK or wahts his name, who claims G league is Euroleague caliber Euroleague team would probably beat that Austin team by 50 points at least.

The Brazilian team is in 3rd place in Brazil's league, and played in the 2nd level Latin America league (South America League), not even the first level one, and they didn't even qualify for the Intercontinental Cup. They got a place as hosts, by being willing to pay for the tournament....

They beat the G-League team by 32 points at home....

The Argentine team is in first place in Argentina's league (which is worse than Brazil's league), and they play in 1st level in Latin America (Americas League)...

They beat the G-League team by 18 points on a neutral court...

For comparison, the European club, AEK Athens - they are in 5th place in Greek League, and they play in Champions League, which is secondary level of Europe, along with EuroCup (both being far worse than EuroLeague)............

They basically blew out both the Argentine team and the Brazilian team in both games, from start to finish. They were toying with the Argentine team the whole game, and looked like they only needed to give 75% effort to blow at the Brazilian team at home.

AEK has a pretty big budget for Europe, and they have the best roster in Champions League, and might also have a better roster than any team in EuroCup. But still, if they were in EuroLeague, they would probably just be slightly better than teams like Budocnost and Gran Canaria. They would certainly most definitely not make the playoffs.

AEK would probably have beaten the Austin Spurs by 50 points..........against a good EuroLeague team, it would be really ugly. I mean AEK lost by 26 the last time they played Olympiacos.

https://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/Greece/2019/0106_93_275.asp

That G-League team might lose by 60-70 against a good EuroLeague team. Yet, as you can see in that thread, we still have people here that outright act like it's trolling to even imply EuroLeague is better than G-League.

[aminiaturebuddha]

I'd agree with you, Mirotic, that the G-League isn't nearly on the level of EuroLeague. But to be fair to the G-League, the goals are somewhat different. The primary goal of any EuroLeague team is to win games.

The G-League is essentially a development league. Development for the players and development for the teams. That's why there's lots of roster turnover from game to game as teams like the Raptors pull people like Chris Boucher up and down from the 905 to the senior Raptors team, and why some teams use their G-League team to try out entirely new offensive or defensive systems for possible use down the road in the NBA. It's basically like a season-long pre-season league.

[Mirotic12]

I'd agree with you, Mirotic, that the G-League isn't nearly on the level of EuroLeague. But to be fair to the G-League, the goals are somewhat different. The primary goal of any EuroLeague team is to win games.

The G-League is essentially a development league. Development for the players and development for the teams. That's why there's lots of roster turnover from game to game as teams like the Raptors pull people like Chris Boucher up and down from the 905 to the senior Raptors team, and why some teams use their G-League team to try out entirely new offensive or defensive systems for possible use down the road in the NBA. It's basically like a season-long pre-season league.

The Austin Spurs were trying very hard to win those games. I posted the links to the full games. Anyone can watch them on YouTube for free. They were giving absolutely everything they had to win, and were being embarrassed by teams from South America.

[UcanUwill]

I'd agree with you, Mirotic, that the G-League isn't nearly on the level of EuroLeague. But to be fair to the G-League, the goals are somewhat different. The primary goal of any EuroLeague team is to win games.

G league is a semi pro league, I mean it has open tryouts before the season!! myself and Mirotic wouldnt care at all, if not for 2 guys around here who spread ignorance saying how Euroleague is just as bad as G league. its just objective absurd statement made by someone who is completely ignorant.

[mojo13]

Ya - I don't see anyone in this thread arguing the G-League is anything close to the EL let alone better. You seem to be arguing with yourselves. At least on this thread (but please dont sidetrack this one too badly)
The G is mostly young kids working on their game...it is clearly purported to be a developmental league.

But in the Austin Spurs defense....
This Austin Spurs team is 16-20 in the G-League (not very good even for the G), probably has near 100% turnover from last years team, might have 100% turnover already in this season. And it was missing the Top 10 scorers that have appeared on their roster this year. This was a trash team and the results were fully expected.

I would actually be interested in seeing what a strong G-League team with a decent roster would do against these teams.

The 905 with a full squad....Boucher, Adel, Collingsworth, Felder, Lloyd, Richardson etc....that would be more interesting.

[Mirotic12]

Ya - I don't see anyone in this thread arguing the G-League is anything close to the EL let alone better. You seem to be arguing with yourselves. At least on this thread (but please dont sidetrack this one too badly)
The G is mostly young kids working on their game...it is clearly purported to be a developmental league.

But in the Austin Spurs defense....
This Austin Spurs team is 16-20 in the G-League (not very good even for the G), probably has near 100% turnover from last years team, might have 100% turnover already in this season. And it was missing the Top 10 scorers that have appeared on their roster this year. This was a trash team and the results were fully expected.

I would actually be interested in seeing what a strong G-League team with a decent roster would do against these teams.

The 905 with a full squad....Boucher, Adel, Collingsworth, Felder, Lloyd, Richardson etc....that would be more interesting.

Team USA at the world cup qualifiers is an all star G-league selection (actually better than that, as most of them had played in NBA). They barely beat Uruguay twice (were down most of the game in both games), and got blown out by Argentina and Mexico. San Lorenzo was the worst of those 3 teams at the Intercontinental Cup (AEK, Flamengo, San Lorenzo), and they are a better team than what Uruguay, Mexico, and Argentina played in those games with.

Those Team USA selections would probably lose by at least 20-25 points against a team like AEK.

[mojo13]

Team USA at the world cup qualifiers is an all star G-league selection (actually better than that, as most of them had played in NBA). They barely beat Uruguay twice (were down most of the game in both games), and got blown out by Argentina and Mexico. San Lorenzo was the worst of those 3 teams at the Intercontinental Cup (AEK, Flamengo, San Lorenzo), and they are a better team than what Uruguay, Mexico, and Argentina played in those games with.

Those Team USA selections would probably lose by at least 20-25 points against a team like AEK.

Those USA selections of G league “all stars” (the best are clearly not available to play when there are 60 two ways and 27 call ups) have a couple days to train together, learn a system and learn to play as a team when most have never played together before. Versus teams that have been playing together for years with players that have been in “the system” since their youth. Yet the USA is still +188 in qualification (only behind Canada) and beat Uruguay by 60 points one game! They can put up some stinkers when the team parts aren’t assembled well and or doesn’t mesh but they have done pretty good considering they have likely used 50 plus different players in these qualifiers. This latest qualifier team has only 4 guys that have even played in a window before and the team has a combined 44 games of NBA expeierce across 5 players. How many of the guys they have played have never even played FIBA before?

Grab a team of actual G league all stars have them play together for a year under FIBA rules and my money is that they would beat AEK. But anyways....I don’t know why I bother.

[aminiaturebuddha]

I'd agree with you, Mirotic, that the G-League isn't nearly on the level of EuroLeague. But to be fair to the G-League, the goals are somewhat different. The primary goal of any EuroLeague team is to win games.

The G-League is essentially a development league. Development for the players and development for the teams. That's why there's lots of roster turnover from game to game as teams like the Raptors pull people like Chris Boucher up and down from the 905 to the senior Raptors team, and why some teams use their G-League team to try out entirely new offensive or defensive systems for possible use down the road in the NBA. It's basically like a season-long pre-season league.

The Austin Spurs were trying very hard to win those games. I posted the links to the full games. Anyone can watch them on YouTube for free. They were giving absolutely everything they had to win, and were being embarrassed by teams from South America.

You kind of missed the point. Of course, when it comes to individual games, players are going to try their hardest to win. My point was about the overall goals of the organizations, which can lead to situations, as mojo pointed out, where G-League teams end up playing games with 80% of their top contributors not even being available.

But anyway, we're getting far away from the intended purpose of this thread, which is to discuss Canadian basketball talent. So that's the last I'll say on the subject of the G-league.

[BilboBanginz]

Read on Twitter

I'm guessing this is going to be somewhat of a down year for the U-19 team? Seems like our best your prospects are 17 or under.