Khem Birch shoots threes and talks in third person

[Blue_and_Whte]

https://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/2019/09/04/orlando-magic-forward-khem-birch-is-an-endorsement-for-playing-for-canada.html

Orlando Magic forward Khem Birch is an endorsement for playing for Canada

While the narrative of Canada's FIBA World Cup outing has been about the players who aren't here, Khem Birch would love to be part of a great story about players who are.

A three-point shooting, ball-handling endorsement for suiting up for his country.

The 26-year-old from Montreal and Cory Joseph are Canada's only NBA players in China. And while the Canadians' hopes of advancing were snuffed out with a loss Tuesday to Lithuania, Birch said the trip has been worth it.

"Great experience," Birch said after practice Wednesday. "Championship-level coaching and lots of confidence. I'm doing things I have never done in the NBA. That's what a lot of guys don't understand. Coach (Nick) Nurse gives you the confidence and freedom to do basically everything you want in the system you have here. I'm lucky."

What kinds of things?

"Shooting threes in the game. Dribbling the ball. Post-ups," Birch said.

The six-foot-nine Orlando Magic forward is handling the ball more than he ever has in his career.

"Yes, exactly," Birch said. "Coach Nurse gives you the freedom to do that stuff. A lot of guys say they want to stay home and work on their games, but there is no better way to do that than in an actual game and I'm doing that right now."

Nurse, who assumed the Canadian team job less than a month after leading the Toronto Raptors to the NBA championship, said it's crucial that players like Birch enjoy their time with the national team.

"Now that we only have a couple (NBA players) left, yeah, those guys have to have a positive experience," Nurse said. "I hope most of the guys I coach feel like they're learning something or have a positive experience or all of them. That's what we try to do. Make them better players and further their knowledge of the game and, as I always say, increase their value in the marketplace."


Some players are dissuaded from playing for the national program by their agents or professional teams. But Birch made up his own mind to commit to Canada.

"I let Khem Birch dictate what he wants to do and Khem Birch decided to play for his country because I want to go to the Olympics," he said — referring to himself in the third person eight times in an interview. "Regardless of whether I was fourth string, fifth string, third string I was going to come here and represent my country.

"Luckily for me no-one showed up and I'm starting," he said in reference to Canada's NBA no-shows. "Unfortunately we didn't advance and now we have to take another route to the Olympics."

Birch averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 points in 12.9 minutes a game with Orlando last season. But his decision to play for Canada this summer when so many of his Canadian NBA colleagues opted out wasn't just about the Magic.

"I'm doing it for my career and basically for 29 other teams just because in this business you never know," he said. "I'm trying to be the most complete basketball player I can be — that's what I'm trying to achieve."

How's his body holding up after seven exhibition games and two World Cup games on three continents?

"Obviously I'm sore but that is the nature of basketball," Birch said. "Right now I would probably be sore in Orlando working out with those other guys and not playing games. So this is a good kind of sore and I can't wait to get back on the court (Thursday, when Canada plays Senegal in its final preliminary-round game)."

After Canada's game against Senegal, the team heads to Shanghai for two important classification games. Canada needs a strong finish to earn a spot in one of four second-chance Olympic qualifying tournaments next June.

With the disappointing turnout of NBA players this summer, it remains to be seen who suits up next year. Will Birch reach out to anyone in a recruiting effort?

"I only dictate what goes on in Khem Birch's career," he said.

Count Birch in though.

"I'm not worried about other guys," he said. "But regardless, I know I'm going to show up."

Is this a jab at Cliff or am I just bored?

[Xatticus]

Spoiler:

https://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/2019/09/04/orlando-magic-forward-khem-birch-is-an-endorsement-for-playing-for-canada.html

Orlando Magic forward Khem Birch is an endorsement for playing for Canada

While the narrative of Canada's FIBA World Cup outing has been about the players who aren't here, Khem Birch would love to be part of a great story about players who are.

A three-point shooting, ball-handling endorsement for suiting up for his country.

The 26-year-old from Montreal and Cory Joseph are Canada's only NBA players in China. And while the Canadians' hopes of advancing were snuffed out with a loss Tuesday to Lithuania, Birch said the trip has been worth it.

"Great experience," Birch said after practice Wednesday. "Championship-level coaching and lots of confidence. I'm doing things I have never done in the NBA. That's what a lot of guys don't understand. Coach (Nick) Nurse gives you the confidence and freedom to do basically everything you want in the system you have here. I'm lucky."

What kinds of things?

"Shooting threes in the game. Dribbling the ball. Post-ups," Birch said.

The six-foot-nine Orlando Magic forward is handling the ball more than he ever has in his career.

"Yes, exactly," Birch said. "Coach Nurse gives you the freedom to do that stuff. A lot of guys say they want to stay home and work on their games, but there is no better way to do that than in an actual game and I'm doing that right now."

Nurse, who assumed the Canadian team job less than a month after leading the Toronto Raptors to the NBA championship, said it's crucial that players like Birch enjoy their time with the national team.

"Now that we only have a couple (NBA players) left, yeah, those guys have to have a positive experience," Nurse said. "I hope most of the guys I coach feel like they're learning something or have a positive experience or all of them. That's what we try to do. Make them better players and further their knowledge of the game and, as I always say, increase their value in the marketplace."


Some players are dissuaded from playing for the national program by their agents or professional teams. But Birch made up his own mind to commit to Canada.

"I let Khem Birch dictate what he wants to do and Khem Birch decided to play for his country because I want to go to the Olympics," he said — referring to himself in the third person eight times in an interview. "Regardless of whether I was fourth string, fifth string, third string I was going to come here and represent my country.

"Luckily for me no-one showed up and I'm starting," he said in reference to Canada's NBA no-shows. "Unfortunately we didn't advance and now we have to take another route to the Olympics."

Birch averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 points in 12.9 minutes a game with Orlando last season. But his decision to play for Canada this summer when so many of his Canadian NBA colleagues opted out wasn't just about the Magic.

"I'm doing it for my career and basically for 29 other teams just because in this business you never know," he said. "I'm trying to be the most complete basketball player I can be — that's what I'm trying to achieve."

How's his body holding up after seven exhibition games and two World Cup games on three continents?

"Obviously I'm sore but that is the nature of basketball," Birch said. "Right now I would probably be sore in Orlando working out with those other guys and not playing games. So this is a good kind of sore and I can't wait to get back on the court (Thursday, when Canada plays Senegal in its final preliminary-round game)."

After Canada's game against Senegal, the team heads to Shanghai for two important classification games. Canada needs a strong finish to earn a spot in one of four second-chance Olympic qualifying tournaments next June.

With the disappointing turnout of NBA players this summer, it remains to be seen who suits up next year. Will Birch reach out to anyone in a recruiting effort?

"I only dictate what goes on in Khem Birch's career," he said.

Count Birch in though.

"I'm not worried about other guys," he said. "But regardless, I know I'm going to show up."

Is this a jab at Cliff or am I just bored?

I'd say there is something in there, but I don't think that's really news. His departure from Pitt was acrimonious and he dropped hints that he wasn't pleased with his role last year.

He wouldn't have returned for two years at $6M if he had garnered any interest this summer. There just isn't any demand for 6'8" centers with limited range and no positional versatility.

[RookieStar]

What is his height? You say 6'8? The article says 6'9? The magic org says 6'10?

Is this the summer of " player X gains a couple of inches? "

[Bensational]

Spoiler:

https://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/2019/09/04/orlando-magic-forward-khem-birch-is-an-endorsement-for-playing-for-canada.html

Orlando Magic forward Khem Birch is an endorsement for playing for Canada

While the narrative of Canada's FIBA World Cup outing has been about the players who aren't here, Khem Birch would love to be part of a great story about players who are.

A three-point shooting, ball-handling endorsement for suiting up for his country.

The 26-year-old from Montreal and Cory Joseph are Canada's only NBA players in China. And while the Canadians' hopes of advancing were snuffed out with a loss Tuesday to Lithuania, Birch said the trip has been worth it.

"Great experience," Birch said after practice Wednesday. "Championship-level coaching and lots of confidence. I'm doing things I have never done in the NBA. That's what a lot of guys don't understand. Coach (Nick) Nurse gives you the confidence and freedom to do basically everything you want in the system you have here. I'm lucky."

What kinds of things?

"Shooting threes in the game. Dribbling the ball. Post-ups," Birch said.

The six-foot-nine Orlando Magic forward is handling the ball more than he ever has in his career.

"Yes, exactly," Birch said. "Coach Nurse gives you the freedom to do that stuff. A lot of guys say they want to stay home and work on their games, but there is no better way to do that than in an actual game and I'm doing that right now."

Nurse, who assumed the Canadian team job less than a month after leading the Toronto Raptors to the NBA championship, said it's crucial that players like Birch enjoy their time with the national team.

"Now that we only have a couple (NBA players) left, yeah, those guys have to have a positive experience," Nurse said. "I hope most of the guys I coach feel like they're learning something or have a positive experience or all of them. That's what we try to do. Make them better players and further their knowledge of the game and, as I always say, increase their value in the marketplace."


Some players are dissuaded from playing for the national program by their agents or professional teams. But Birch made up his own mind to commit to Canada.

"I let Khem Birch dictate what he wants to do and Khem Birch decided to play for his country because I want to go to the Olympics," he said — referring to himself in the third person eight times in an interview. "Regardless of whether I was fourth string, fifth string, third string I was going to come here and represent my country.

"Luckily for me no-one showed up and I'm starting," he said in reference to Canada's NBA no-shows. "Unfortunately we didn't advance and now we have to take another route to the Olympics."

Birch averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 points in 12.9 minutes a game with Orlando last season. But his decision to play for Canada this summer when so many of his Canadian NBA colleagues opted out wasn't just about the Magic.

"I'm doing it for my career and basically for 29 other teams just because in this business you never know," he said. "I'm trying to be the most complete basketball player I can be — that's what I'm trying to achieve."

How's his body holding up after seven exhibition games and two World Cup games on three continents?

"Obviously I'm sore but that is the nature of basketball," Birch said. "Right now I would probably be sore in Orlando working out with those other guys and not playing games. So this is a good kind of sore and I can't wait to get back on the court (Thursday, when Canada plays Senegal in its final preliminary-round game)."

After Canada's game against Senegal, the team heads to Shanghai for two important classification games. Canada needs a strong finish to earn a spot in one of four second-chance Olympic qualifying tournaments next June.

With the disappointing turnout of NBA players this summer, it remains to be seen who suits up next year. Will Birch reach out to anyone in a recruiting effort?

"I only dictate what goes on in Khem Birch's career," he said.

Count Birch in though.

"I'm not worried about other guys," he said. "But regardless, I know I'm going to show up."

Is this a jab at Cliff or am I just bored?

[Knightro]

I can't begin to express how much I hope this Khem Birch speaking in the third person thing continues into the regular season.

[basketballRob]

What is his height? You say 6'8? The article says 6'9? The magic org says 6'10?

Is this the summer of " player X gains a couple of inches? "

He's 6'7.5" without shoes

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

[fendilim]

ive been watching him play in the world cup.

he is putting up nice numbers, but i think he is being delusional if he thinks he will be able to execute those “post moves” he is referring to in the NBA. its nice to have those tricks in the bag, though.

He is getting to do a lot more for his team in the world cup, but there is no way he can do this in the nba, as efficient as he is doing it in this tournament. i really doubt it.

[GelbeWand09]

With all respect for Nurse but i've seen some Canada games at the wc. I'm happy we dont play like that tbh lol. They shot like 40 threes in 40 min games. They took so many bad trey's, it was almost absurd. Against germany they fell back big because of it, when they finally started to drive to the hoop, the game went close. That 7 footer Wiltjer missed like 9 treys in a row and some of them where step back & fadeaway 3's lol

[Xatticus]

What is his height? You say 6'8? The article says 6'9? The magic org says 6'10?

Is this the summer of " player X gains a couple of inches? "

He's 6'7.5" without shoes

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

This.

He measured 6'7.5" without shoes at the NBA combine. I rounded up, but that is the same height as Aaron Gordon. That's really short for a guy that can't share the floor with a traditional big.

I like Birch, but he is never going to get a significant commitment from an NBA franchise unless his game evolves substantially.

[Blue_and_Whte]

What is his height? You say 6'8? The article says 6'9? The magic org says 6'10?

Is this the summer of " player X gains a couple of inches? "

Don’t forget the 46 pounds of PURE MUSCLE in 6 months.

[Popsicle1228]

Popsicle1228 loves some Khem Birch, but Popsicle1228 also thinks that Khem Birch is overratting his ability to be "NBA" efficient from range.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Khem Birch thinks Khem Birch's height makes Khem Birch's effectiveness over Bamba even more impressive.

[Blue_and_Whte]

I can't begin to express how much I hope this Khem Birch speaking in the third person thing continues into the regular season.

Me too. He needs to be the guy they interview after games. I like him more now.

[fendilim]

Why is this thread out of forum layout

[pepe1991]

Bro ,Khem shooting broke this thread

[basketballRob]

Khem Birch thinks Khem Birch's height makes Khem Birch's effectiveness over Bamba even more impressive.

You guys are so tough on rookies. Mo will be the same age as Vuc was in his rookie year, this year. Vuc shot 45% and scored 5 ppg.

Birch will be 27 this month.



Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app