dozo wrote:Great news!
The game was entertaining from start to finish. Nigeria's intensity to start the game gave Canada trouble (def the high PnR is a weakness).
The out of bounds plays underneath the basket we're a thing of beauty.
Nembhard style of play translates well to FIBA game.
The Toronto Crowd was silent for most of game. (Toronto Sports fans are overrated)
I was fairly impressed considering the two days of practice and the potential quality of Nigeria. They have enough talent to win their group (ARG, RUS, KOR). We could have easily hung a 30 point win on Nigeria last night. We sat the core players with a 20 point lead in the 3rd, while they continued their starters on heavy minutes. Heslip and Wiltjer were hot at the same time though and I am not sure how often that happens. I am still skeptical of both or them at this elevated level.
I think it is near comical at this point with how many guys we are missing and am really bummed at missing very good players like Andrew Nicholson who I am not sure they even tried to get into camp. I wonder how many 2nd tier guys like Conor Morgan, Joel Anthony, Anthony Bennett etc. they didn't even bother to recruit thinking the talent pool was so deep.
Look at this list:
Joel Anthony
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
RJ Barrett (I)
Anthony Bennett
Chris Boucher
Dillon Brooks (I)
Brandon Clarke
Tyler Ennis (I)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Mfiondu Kabengele
Trey Lyles
Naz Mitrou-Long
Jamal Murray (I)
Andrew Nicholson
Dwight Powell
Nik Stauskas
Tristan Thompson
Andrew Wiggins
That's 18 guys with NBA experience (or just about to have it). What a difference just a couple of those guys could make.