Team Canada Basketball Thread V2.0

[mojo13]

With all due respect, why are there almost a dozen posts about the Lithuanian national team in this thread?

Someone on a previous page asked for a break down of the Lithuanian team. They are in our pool, the players (after JV and Sabonis) are much lesser known than Australia and people are curious about their perceived strengths/weakness.

[mojo13]

This is far and away their biggest and most popular board and their sub form called the “whelping box” discusses all of the recruiting:

http://guboards.spokesmanreview.com/showthread.php?65962-2020-PG-Keeshawn-Barthelemy-Offer

Thanks!

My pleasure. There are actually quite a few Canadian posters on the board that have become Zags fans over the years because of Sacre, Olynyk, Wiltjer, Pangos and now Clarke

Don't forget Bol Kong!

And Manny Arop and Dustin Triano and more? I still wear my 00 Zags jersey with pride and get a kick out of when someone knows who that was. Vancouver represent!

[gundysmullet]

Thanks!

My pleasure. There are actually quite a few Canadian posters on the board that have become Zags fans over the years because of Sacre, Olynyk, Wiltjer, Pangos and now Clarke

Don't forget Bol Kong!

And Manny Arop and Dustin Triano and more? I still wear my 00 Zags jersey with pride and get a kick out of when someone knows who that was. Vancouver represent!

PMac

[Double Helix]

Did any of you Lithuanian fans who found the board and the Raptors through Valanciunas remain fans of the team after he left during the Championship run? Do you consider yourselves Raptors fans still or no? Are you now Grizzlies and Pacers fans? Or is it just about the players?

Just curious if you guys care about the Raptors at all after or if you mostly just follow JV now & International basketball talk.

[LuDux1]

Can you give me info on Martinas Geben? I honestly havent seen him play. by the way, its a very weird name for Lithuanian, Martinas Geben,

I can't say anything more than you can see in highlight reels on Youtube. I though maybe his dad is foreigner but his first name is even more Lithuanian than son's

[frumble]

My pleasure. There are actually quite a few Canadian posters on the board that have become Zags fans over the years because of Sacre, Olynyk, Wiltjer, Pangos and now Clarke

Don't forget PMAC, Manny Arop, and Bol Kong.
Edit: sorry, I hadn't refreshed page and didn't realize others had already noted these guys.

[Hassassin]

That being said, Wiggins wasn't particularly impressive when he played...

Why do you say that? I, and the stats and the voting committee, thought he was our best player, and one of the best in the tournament. We were mowing through the competition until that stupid Venezuela disaster. He was on the all-tournament team (only canadian), was 5th in the tournament in scoring (shooting nearly 50% from the floor and over 50% on 3 made 3s a game) in far fewer minutes than the top 4, while respectably being 4th on the team in total (only metric FIBA has) rebounds and assists, and 2nd on the team in total steals and blocks.


Obviously hes stagnated (at best) as a player and who knows how he fits now but I think he played very well then

Oh, he had a good tournament, but he's supposed to do that. It's the FIBA Americas, where the talent level isn't nearly as high as it is in the other FIBA tourneys (Olympics, WC, Eurobasket). His two games vs Venezuela also left a very bad impression. Had higher hopes for him that year. It was very disappointing, to say the least.

[mojo13]

And just like that TT has bailed according to Shams.

This hurts but it recoverable with the depth we have. But I sure hope it is not a sign of things to come.

[WellYouKnow]

Tristan was actually a pretty good matchup for Val and the Aussie bigs

I really feel like this is much more Rich Paul's idea than Tristans. Obviously I dont know anything more than anyone else but Tristan has always been so eager to play

[aminiaturebuddha]

How long has Rich Paul been TT's agent? Is it a relatively recent thing? It does seem strange that after being so committed to the program over the years, he would bow out just as the important games are about to start.

That said, with Khem Birch's play lately, we may not miss Thompson too much as Birch can step into that "defensive big" role pretty easily. Hopefully no one else steps aside (this particularly opens the door for Lyles to make the roster and make an impression) and we can still roll with a pretty deep center and power forward group that includes Olynyk, Powell, Birch, Lyles, and Ejim.

[mojo13]

Ben Simmons, Antony Davis. Ummmmm... Cojo and Trey Lyles are Rich Paul clients too.

This could get ugly.

[Hair Canada]

And just like that TT has bailed according to Shams.

This hurts but it recoverable with the depth we have. But I sure hope it is not a sign of things to come.

So this might not be a popular view, but I think this development might actually prove to be a blessing in disguise (as you say mojo, provided that it's not the start of an avalanche).

First, I think Kelly, Powell, and Birch are better players than TT at this stage of their respective careers. Kelly and Powell are better offensive players and Birch gives defensively at least what TT gives. And the thing is that, as could be seen last summer in the game against Brazil in Montreal, TTs seniority and loyalty to the team over the years gave him the edge in starting and getting more minutes (Birch hardly played). There's a good chance I think that things would have looked the same this time around.

Second, this opens up an opportunity for another big man on the team and a younger one at that, beyond the three above and Ejim, who I think should be there as well. So this could be Lyles--the guy I would go with given that he could be part of our future in the next campaign (remember, he's only 23). Could also be Boucher, who I think is suitable for FIBA ball and could play well against certain opponents (probably not Lithuania). Or could even be one of Clarke/Fio, though I think that's a long shot.

[Hair Canada]

I'll say it another way. If I had to choose two players to give up from among the following list of 10 established NBA guys, I would personally choose Wiggins and TT...

CoJo, Murray, Shai, Stauskas, Brooks (if healthy), Wiggins, Powell, Olynyk, TT, Birch.

That said, if more names start falling down, then this will indeed hurt.

[FreshyFlames]

Did any of you Lithuanian fans who found the board and the Raptors through Valanciunas remain fans of the team after he left during the Championship run? Do you consider yourselves Raptors fans still or no? Are you now Grizzlies and Pacers fans? Or is it just about the players?

Just curious if you guys care about the Raptors at all after or if you mostly just follow JV now & International basketball talk.

It was pretty obvious during the playoff run that they aren't real fans of the team. Remember all the Marc Gasol hate? That was them. They wanted us to lose so they could say oh if we kept JV we would have won, even though it clearly would have been the exact opposite. I really hope Memphis improves just so they can move on out of here.

[frumble]

How long has Rich Paul been TT's agent? Is it a relatively recent thing? It does seem strange that after being so committed to the program over the years, he would bow out just as the important games are about to start.

That said, with Khem Birch's play lately, we may not miss Thompson too much as Birch can step into that "defensive big" role pretty easily. Hopefully no one else steps aside (this particularly opens the door for Lyles to make the roster and make an impression) and we can still roll with a pretty deep center and power forward group that includes Olynyk, Powell, Birch, Lyles, and Ejim.

Has he been that committed to the program over the years? I guess its all relative - he's been more committed than Wiggins or Lyles or Wiggins, but not as committed as Joseph or Olynyk, e.g..

In any case, I agree with your view (and others') that he will not be that missed if the other bigs on the list show up.

I would be more than happy with Olynyk, Powell, and Birch getting the majority of minutes at the 4/5, and two of Lyles, Boucher, Ejim, and Wiltjer rounding out the roster.

[UcanUwill]

Did any of you Lithuanian fans who found the board and the Raptors through Valanciunas remain fans of the team after he left during the Championship run? Do you consider yourselves Raptors fans still or no? Are you now Grizzlies and Pacers fans? Or is it just about the players?

Just curious if you guys care about the Raptors at all after or if you mostly just follow JV now & International basketball talk.

It was pretty obvious during the playoff run that they aren't real fans of the team. Remember all the Marc Gasol hate? That was them. They wanted us to lose so they could say oh if we kept JV we would have won, even though it clearly would have been the exact opposite. I really hope Memphis improves just so they can move on out of here.

I have been casual Raptors fan since 2007 or so. Always liked the idea of cheering for ''international'' team in the NBA, and I liked team looks at Euro markert moreso than other teams. When Raptors won championship I was happy as they are my favorite NBA team, but I will be honest it wouldnt be comparable to my favorite euroleague team winning it, or Lithuania winning the gold.

i was huge Valanciunas fan before draft, but I didnt want Raptors to draft him at all, becaus i knew Raptors fans all well and I knew they would hate the pick. The hate was real, it was exactly the time fans were getting sick of Euro experiment, and non of the boards I lurked people even discussed Jonas as possibility, even tho he was projected to go 4th or lower.

[WellYouKnow]

I see everybody slotting Ejim in, and while I appreciate that he's given so much of his time to the team, i can't imagine he makes the team unless he's given a spot as a thank you.

He had some bad games against pretty terrible comp in the qualifiers. The first Chile game really sticks out in my mind. He struggled heavily against bigger players

I would defenitely take the NBA bigs ahead of him and I'd take Wiltjer before him as well.

[aminiaturebuddha]

So this might not be a popular view, but I think this development might actually prove to be a blessing in disguise (as you say mojo, provided that it's not the start of an avalanche).

First, I think Kelly, Powell, and Birch are better players than TT at this stage of their respective careers. Kelly and Powell are better offensive players and Birch gives defensively at least what TT gives. And the thing is that, as could be seen last summer in the game against Brazil in Montreal, TTs seniority and loyalty to the team over the years gave him the edge in starting and getting more minutes (Birch hardly played). There's a good chance I think that things would have looked the same this time around.

I don't think this would have been so much of an issue this time around with a new coach in the fold, especially one with the standing of Nurse, straight off an NBA Championship. It's a moot point for Thompson, but I'm also hoping that having Nurse coming in fresh to the program will allow him to make decisions purely based on what's best for the team, rather than being beholden to past performance with the National Program, or other political concerns.

I guess if, by the end of the summer, Heslip is getting as many minutes as Murray I will have been proven wrong, but I hope not.

[aminiaturebuddha]

I see everybody slotting Ejim in, and while I appreciate that he's given so much of his time to the team, i can't imagine he makes the team unless he's given a spot as a thank you.

He had some bad games against pretty terrible comp in the qualifiers. The first Chile game really sticks out in my mind. He struggled heavily against bigger players

I would defenitely take the NBA bigs ahead of him and I'd take Wiltjer before him as well.

Ejim, like everyone else, had problems with inconsistency throughout the qualifying games, but there were also a few games where he was the best player on the floor, and he had a number of other impactful games with great efficiency. If he makes the team, I don't think it'll be because he was given the slot as a thank you, but because he's earned it.

Here are a few of his games in the qualifiers:
Feb 22, 2018 - 28 pts, 8 rbds, 3 asts (10-13 shooting)
Feb 25, 2018 - 15 pts, 4 rbds, 4 asts (6-8 shooting)
June 29th, 2018 - 14 pts, 4 rbds, 1 ast (5-6 shooting) w/NBA players
Sep 13, 2018 - 14 pts, 3 rbds (6-8 shooting) w/NBA players
Feb 21, 2019 - 12 pts, 9 rbds, 1 asts (5-7 shooting)
Feb 24, 2019 - 11 pts, 6 rbds, 3 asts (3-5 shooting)

Wiltjer is a tremendous shooter, but that's about all he brings to the court. Ejim can impact the game in a number of ways, and I think would be a much more complementary player for a team that won't need him to be a primary offensive option, with guys like Olynyk, Powell, and possibly Lyles, on the team.

[WellYouKnow]

I see everybody slotting Ejim in, and while I appreciate that he's given so much of his time to the team, i can't imagine he makes the team unless he's given a spot as a thank you.

He had some bad games against pretty terrible comp in the qualifiers. The first Chile game really sticks out in my mind. He struggled heavily against bigger players

I would defenitely take the NBA bigs ahead of him and I'd take Wiltjer before him as well.

Ejim, like everyone else, had problems with inconsistency throughout the qualifying games, but there were also a few games where he was the best player on the floor, and he had a number of other impactful games with great efficiency. If he makes the team, I don't think it'll be because he was given the slot as a thank you, but because he's earned it.

Here are a few of his games in the qualifiers:
Feb 22, 2018 - 28 pts, 8 rbds, 3 asts (10-13 shooting)
Feb 25, 2018 - 15 pts, 4 rbds, 4 asts (6-8 shooting)
June 29th, 2018 - 14 pts, 4 rbds, 1 ast (5-6 shooting) w/NBA players
Sep 13, 2018 - 14 pts, 3 rbds (6-8 shooting) w/NBA players
Feb 21, 2019 - 12 pts, 9 rbds, 1 asts (5-7 shooting)
Feb 24, 2019 - 11 pts, 6 rbds, 3 asts (3-5 shooting)

Wiltjer is a tremendous shooter, but that's about all he brings to the court. Ejim can impact the game in a number of ways, and I think would be a much more complementary player for a team that won't need him to be a primary offensive option, with guys like Olynyk, Powell, and possibly Lyles, on the team.

If you go back in the thread you'll see that at one point I was Ejim' s biggest supporter here.

It's not like I'd be super upset if he makes it but there are much better options for us than him.

His defence also isn't that great. He's good on switches on the perimeter and obviously thats huge in fiba ball and the main argument I could see for including him. He's not a great post defender, rebounder or rim protector.

I dont think characterizing Wiltjer as just a shooter is fair at all either. After Olynyk he's easily the most complete offensive big of all our guys. He's also probably the worst defensive big by a good margin, but I think his skill level is too high to ignore