Team Canada Basketball Thread V2.0

[TrueNorth31]

The local Victoria newspaper had an update on the Victoria tournament ( the writer Dheensaw is outstanding and loves basketball ) . Hard to predict anything in this current crazy environment, but potential plans for a bubble concept are in play. Hockey Canada did this with the World Junior's , so it can be done. As in most things in life money may be an obstacle.

https://www.timescolonist.com/sports/winner-of-victoria-basketball-qualifier-will-play-u-s-dream-team-at-olympics-1.24276538

[Mirotic12]

A couple notes from over the last couple days:

-All unemployed Free agents for Team USA above. Quite a crap team actually, but good for them for showing up. The USA is already qualified so they could have put anything out there. I've not sure I'd read too much into that roster per Canada other than I don't expect any G-Leaguers. Perhaps we see unemployed Canadian FAs (Caduogan, Manny Diressa, Kadre Grey, Jordan Baker?), U-Sports players and maybe even some recent retirees (Joel Anthony? Kyle Landry? Heslip? ) but I still think some Euro pros will show up for this.

- Orlando Magic signed Frank Mason to a 2way last night. Can only have two, so that puts Karim Mane or Jordan Bone as risk of a waive. I'd assume either would end up with Magic's G-League team.


- Kevin Pangos named to the World Stars - All Star Team in the Russian VTB.



- I've come down a bit off the ledge with the Olympic pools. It might not be a bad thing to be pooled with the USA and Iran might be the key to the Pool rather than the USA.
It is a weird set up for this Olympics - The teams placed 1st & 2nd in each group and the two best 3rd place teams will qualify for the Quarter-Finals.

The three 3rd place teams could easily come down to point differential. One immediately thinks that USA's Olympians tend to lay beat downs. But it is not always true - assuming the USA has their best, with a comfortable lead the USA might be more likely to let up on Canada/France than turn up the gas for point differential. Not only is the USA always tinkering with line-ups, sets etc., Canada/France should have the most NBA players besides the USA. They know each other, are not really rivals nor have any bad blood - they are all probably friends. Maybe we even see purposeful tanking by the USA to help out their buddies, where you wouldn't see it with many other countries. Maybe we don't wont see more than 10-15 points wins over Canada or France. Maybe wishful thinking....

But the other piece is Iran, who will be the worst team in the tournament. The chance for Canada (or France) to run up a huge point differential versus Iran is large (+30? +50?). More than enough to make up for any losses to France or USA.
Pool B will have no minnow to run points up on (but is at risk for a 2-1 3rd place team) and Pool C has Japan, but as the home team with some decent NBA players (Rui, Yuta) they should be able to hang better than Iran.

Further, having the USA in one's pool (and France) should mean we don't cross them in the quarterfinals (but they may not hold true as I'm not yet sure how they sort the Quarter matchups).


But as said....we got to get there first. And with way the Canada is handling Covid (one of the countries most afraid to leave the house) I'm getting nervous about our ability to host Victoria. Even PR in a few weeks is a concern right now. If Canada skips on that who knows what FIBA will do....

I wouldn't be so sure about Japan being better than Iran. In the last 10 years or so, Iran has for the most part, consistently been the best team from Asia. They never have that much talent or depth, but they always have about 3-4 good players, and they are very well coached and play together as a team quite well.

[TrueNorth31]

Puerto Rico announces their Fiba America's cup team. Headlining is JJ Barea and more importantly 3 other Euro based pro's . Canada is not in the same group as P.R. , but it does seem that bringing players from Europe into the country does seem plausible which bodes well for Canada ( P.R. apparently has opened training camp Feb 1 with local players and those based in the U.S.). Canada plays it's first game Feb 17 so expect an announcement soon.

http://puertorico.basketball/m/anot.asp?r=BC7FBDEAB7C046BFBED7EB2F2EEB4C08

[TrueNorth31]

Australia announces their 24 man " Olympic Squad ".

https://australia.basketball/blog/2021/02/03/australian-mens-basketball-olympic-squad-revealed/

Off course as we Canadians have found out naming players to a team and then having them actually show up is two different things. There's a good chance Simmons and Thybulle for instance may be in the NBA finals which go July 8-22 with the Olympics starting July 24 ( ? ) . Also I imagine guys who don't have contracts may have some second thoughts - still they are in an enviable position planning and pool wise.

[TrueNorth31]

More Olympic news - USA, Australia, Spain going into a bubble together in Vegas pre Olympics. Should Canada not petition to be involved to if we do actually qualify ( or if we don't Greece or Turkey would also provide quite solid competition ) ?

https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/30828673/team-usa-men-hoops-planning-pre-olympic-bubble-las-vegas

[TrueNorth31]

Apparently the Argies are in as well....

The idea is to get some solid competition while quarantining for Tokyo ,otherwise arranging exhibition games may be quite difficult , still Vegas may not be the most perfect spot for a " bubble ".

Read on Twitter

[mojo13]

Australia announces their 24 man " Olympic Squad ".

https://australia.basketball/blog/2021/02/03/australian-mens-basketball-olympic-squad-revealed/

Off course as we Canadians have found out naming players to a team and then having them actually show up is two different things. There's a good chance Simmons and Thybulle for instance may be in the NBA finals which go July 8-22 with the Olympics starting July 24 ( ? ) . Also I imagine guys who don't have contracts may have some second thoughts - still they are in an enviable position planning and pool wise.

Mills, Delly and Exum will all be UFAs. Baynes could be if his team option is waived.

Maker was recently cut and a FA. Broekoff is a FA but fringe guys are less concerned about opting out of national team duty because they are FAs.
I know Australia has a different level of commitment from their players. But all this will have an impact.

We know young guys on their first contract have pressure against them playing too - so that could impact Greene and Thybulle as well.

[mojo13]

The local Victoria newspaper had an update on the Victoria tournament ( the writer Dheensaw is outstanding and loves basketball ) . Hard to predict anything in this current crazy environment, but potential plans for a bubble concept are in play. Hockey Canada did this with the World Junior's , so it can be done. As in most things in life money may be an obstacle.

https://www.timescolonist.com/sports/winner-of-victoria-basketball-qualifier-will-play-u-s-dream-team-at-olympics-1.24276538

Interesting read. I had a chuckle to read the Memorial Centre will be a homeless shelter leading up to the tournament. Lovely.

A few quotes I found interesting -
“NBA players whose teams are not among the four conference finalists should be available for their national teams for the qualifiers. That makes host Canada, with the deepest pool of NBA talent in the Victoria qualifier, the favourite to advance off the Island into Group A of the Tokyo Olympic tournament.”

Yeah - that’s not how it works. Especially with not even knowing the rosters yet.

“But two teams will advance out of each group in the Olympics, plus two others, and Canada would be assured of not having to meet the U.S. in the cross-over quarter-finals because they would have come out of the same group.”

I don’t think this is factually true. Might be, but I have found nothing showing this. My read on the process is the my will take the 1st place teams and best 2nd place team into one group and then draw them agains the next four teams in another group. Nothing says you can’t face another team from your pool in the quarters. I think this is to help prevent teams trying to throw games to avoid the USA. The Aussies did this in the past.

[Mirotic12]

Puerto Rico announces their Fiba America's cup team. Headlining is JJ Barea and more importantly 3 other Euro based pro's . Canada is not in the same group as P.R. , but it does seem that bringing players from Europe into the country does seem plausible which bodes well for Canada ( P.R. apparently has opened training camp Feb 1 with local players and those based in the U.S.). Canada plays it's first game Feb 17 so expect an announcement soon.

http://puertorico.basketball/m/anot.asp?r=BC7FBDEAB7C046BFBED7EB2F2EEB4C08

Benito Santiago Jr......is that the son of the baseball player?

Australia announces their 24 man " Olympic Squad ".

https://australia.basketball/blog/2021/02/03/australian-mens-basketball-olympic-squad-revealed/

Off course as we Canadians have found out naming players to a team and then having them actually show up is two different things. There's a good chance Simmons and Thybulle for instance may be in the NBA finals which go July 8-22 with the Olympics starting July 24 ( ? ) . Also I imagine guys who don't have contracts may have some second thoughts - still they are in an enviable position planning and pool wise.

Australia has become what France was for years. Every big world tournament (Olympics / World Cup), they are supposedly going to win a silver medal, going on for years now. Every tournament they choke and don't medal. They seem to be a team of all chokers.

[mojo13]

Puerto Rico announces their Fiba America's cup team. Headlining is JJ Barea and more importantly 3 other Euro based pro's . Canada is not in the same group as P.R. , but it does seem that bringing players from Europe into the country does seem plausible which bodes well for Canada ( P.R. apparently has opened training camp Feb 1 with local players and those based in the U.S.). Canada plays it's first game Feb 17 so expect an announcement soon.

http://puertorico.basketball/m/anot.asp?r=BC7FBDEAB7C046BFBED7EB2F2EEB4C08

Benito Santiago Jr......is that the son of the baseball player?

Australia announces their 24 man " Olympic Squad ".

https://australia.basketball/blog/2021/02/03/australian-mens-basketball-olympic-squad-revealed/

Off course as we Canadians have found out naming players to a team and then having them actually show up is two different things. There's a good chance Simmons and Thybulle for instance may be in the NBA finals which go July 8-22 with the Olympics starting July 24 ( ? ) . Also I imagine guys who don't have contracts may have some second thoughts - still they are in an enviable position planning and pool wise.

Australia has become what France was for years. Every big world tournament (Olympics / World Cup), they are supposedly going to win a silver medal, going on for years now. Every tournament they choke and don't medal. They seem to be a team of all chokers.

I don't know Mirotic. It is not a great pool of players to start with. No all-stars or a number of NBA starter level players. France had access to two All-NBA level players and, multiple starters (France also has 4 or 5 medals at major events in the last 5-6 years).

Delly, Ingles, Baynes, Bogut, Mills were the core for Australia the last 5+ years. Ingles is (was) maybe the only starting caliber player. They have good chemistry and play together well as a unit. Guys like Mills and Baynes seem able to step up their games in FIBA...especially Mills. But it is not a crew you'd expect to be favorites for Silver medals. Yes you'd expect them to compete and maybe in the mix to challenge for a medal...but I'm not sure I'd have ever considered them favorites or "choked". Maybe the 2016 Olympics, but they seemed to be playing over their heads in pool play only to be hit with reality in the semis and bronze.

Australia is ranked 3rd in the World by FIBA so they have had consistent good results over the last 8 years (if never medaling). Results only bettered by the USA and Spain according to FIBA. Now we do know that Australia benefits massively from their region and has automatic entry to every single big event and I (and probably you) think they are over ranked by FIBA....

It's funny - you compare the accomplishments of Australia and France over the last decade and see Australia ranked #3 and France #6 - it tells you what a joke FIBA rankings are. Looks like winning FIBA Oceania every year really racks up the points!

[Hair Canada]

The ringer on Lu Dort's improvement. Buy stock!

Read on Twitter

[Mirotic12]

I don't know Mirotic. It is not a great pool of players to start with. No all-stars or a number of NBA starter level players. France had access to two All-NBA level players and, multiple starters (France also has 4 or 5 medals at major events in the last 5-6 years).

Delly, Ingles, Baynes, Bogut, Mills were the core for Australia the last 5+ years. Ingles is (was) maybe the only starting caliber player. They have good chemistry and play together well as a unit. Guys like Mills and Baynes seem able to step up their games in FIBA...especially Mills. But it is not a crew you'd expect to be favorites for Silver medals. Yes you'd expect them to compete and maybe in the mix to challenge for a medal...but I'm not sure I'd have ever considered them favorites or "choked". Maybe the 2016 Olympics, but they seemed to be playing over their heads in pool play only to be hit with reality in the semis and bronze.

Australia is ranked 3rd in the World by FIBA so they have had consistent good results over the last 8 years (if never medaling). Results only bettered by the USA and Spain according to FIBA. Now we do know that Australia benefits massively from their region and has automatic entry to every single big event and I (and probably you) think they are over ranked by FIBA....

It's funny - you compare the accomplishments of Australia and France over the last decade and see Australia ranked #3 and France #6 - it tells you what a joke FIBA rankings are. Looks like winning FIBA Oceania every year really racks up the points!

The rankings are always skewed against European teams. It just is what it is. FIBA doesn't properly account for the level of competition in EuroBasket qualifiers and EuroBasket, and they really don't account for how hard it is to make the World Cup and especially the Olympics through Europe, which of course lowers European teams in the rankings. And of course, the opposite is true for Australia, as they have zero competition in their region of Asia. I guess New Zealand could be considered some level of competition, but not really.

I wasn't really referring to Australia being the favorites for a silver medal or being the second most talented team. I was more referring to how before every single tournament they get hyped up and picked by the media as the second best team. Of course, in terms of actual level of the rosters, Spain for years was clearly the second best team. I wasn't relating the chokers part to that. I should have clarified more as overrated for how the media rates them.

On the choking part, I was referring to how they seem to play poorly at every semifinal, or bronze medal game. Maybe chokers isn't the right word, maybe it's more that they can't finish. That they don't have any single player that is good enough offensively to close out opponents at that level. But it also could be that they can't handle the pressure.

[TrueNorth31]

I think the Australian Basketball team has been fine in the last 2 major Fiba events. They've had quite a bit of bad luck with dubious and controversial referee calls in crucial medal games ( something Canada knows all too well after the 2015 qualification tournament ). Sadly the standard of Fiba refereeing does not match the calibre of play. The Aussies would have benefitted from an NBA style foul replay - something that FIBA should adapt.

I think Luc Longley put it rather perfectly after the Fiba Worlds.

"“Spain gets kissed on the dick by the basketball gods every time we play them.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/fiba-world-cup/theyre-not-kissing-us-on-the-dick-yet-luc-longley-delivered-his-unfiltered-reaction-to-the-boomers-heartbreaking-world-cup-loss/news-story/58144325b6d4a5421ee487f07fd2c597

[mojo13]

I think the Australian Basketball team has been fine in the last 2 major Fiba events. They've had quite a bit of bad luck with dubious and controversial referee calls in crucial medal games ( something Canada knows all too well after the 2015 qualification tournament ). Sadly the standard of Fiba refereeing does not match the calibre of play. The Aussies would have benefitted from an NBA style foul replay - something that FIBA should adapt.

I think Luc Longley put it rather perfectly after the Fiba Worlds.

"“Spain gets kissed on the dick by the basketball gods every time we play them.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/fiba-world-cup/theyre-not-kissing-us-on-the-dick-yet-luc-longley-delivered-his-unfiltered-reaction-to-the-boomers-heartbreaking-world-cup-loss/news-story/58144325b6d4a5421ee487f07fd2c597

Australia whining falls on deaf ears for me. They threw a game on purpose (to Angola!) in 2014 to avoid playing the USA and deserve any bball karma they get.
https://www.si.com/nba/2014/09/04/australia-angola-tanking-goran-dragic-fiba-world-cup

They also regularly cross the line with pretty rough and dirty play in FIBA. They equally caused that crazy dust up with the Philippines in the WC Qualifiers (also accused of racially taunting in the Philippines - who themselves are no saints) and then were accused of playing "rugby not basketball" by the Lithuanians in the World Cup pool play. I didn't see Longley saying much about that game . Despite the commonwealth connection they are tough team to like.
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/basketball-lithuania-coach-explodes-expletive-rant-050535113.html

The crying from the Aussie's is pretty disingenuous, all things considered.

It will be interesting to see what kind of team they pull together for the Olympics. Usually it is a pretty committed core (much more than Canada) and have deeper pockets to tackle insurance issues. But Delly might be retiring with his concussion issues. He will also be a FA.
Mills and Exum are going to be FAs. Thon Maker was recently cut and a FA. Baynes is a Raps team option right? That could easily be waived the way he is playing.

Simmons isn't really committed and seems iffy every summer (their Wiggins?). Tybulle and Green are on their rookie contracts and we know that can be an issue for players and agents.

[TrueNorth31]

Dillon Brooks still committed to playing for Canada this summer.

"“We got so many guys in the league right now and guys that are up and coming,” he said. “So, you know [Canadian national team head coach and Raptors head coach] Nick Nurse has to find a way to put it all together. We got a lot of dogs and a lot of guys that are hungry and guys that want to make history, so I can't wait, you know, to get on the floor with those guys, play, figure it out and win a gold medal.”

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/grizzlies-brooks-set-showcase-team-canada-potential-raptors/

He's had a rough start to the year with an injury riddled Grizzly team team trying to be the team's primary ball creator with the injury to Ja Morant ( it either has to be him or slo - mo Kyle Anderson ). That's not his best role as he really struggles with finishing at the rim or with his decision making. Still somebody has to do it and it's in his nature to try to step up. For him less is better- stick to shooting threes ( career average 36% ) and playing tough defence.

One aspect that he doesn't get enough praise for is that defence. I find most casual observers don't consider defence to be all that important . Brooks really tries his ass off and usually takes the opponent's best player. In the 2019/2020 season in terms of defensive load , Brooks ranked ninth ( Dort was # 2). I always tell people if you want to know who can play defense just watch who the coaches match them up with. Forget all those fancy contrived stats from nerds hiding in their mother's basement. Most of them are very arbitrary and inconclusive. I've heard NBA teams have their own far superior proprietary data, but more importantly they base defensive assignments based on massive amounts of film breakdown done by the myriad of assistant coaches sitting in the back rows.

For me Brooks , as long as you keep a tight leash on his offensive decision making is a core member of Team Canada. I think it's also important to have guys who really want to be there. Canada is looking at asking players for a potential 6 week plus commitment this summer. Nothing destroys team chemistry worse than players not being totally invested.

[Hair Canada]

Dillon Brooks still committed to playing for Canada this summer.

"“We got so many guys in the league right now and guys that are up and coming,” he said. “So, you know [Canadian national team head coach and Raptors head coach] Nick Nurse has to find a way to put it all together. We got a lot of dogs and a lot of guys that are hungry and guys that want to make history, so I can't wait, you know, to get on the floor with those guys, play, figure it out and win a gold medal.”

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/grizzlies-brooks-set-showcase-team-canada-potential-raptors/

He's had a rough start to the year with an injury riddled Grizzly team team trying to be the team's primary ball creator with the injury to Ja Morant ( it either has to be him or slo - mo Kyle Anderson ). That's not his best role as he really struggles with finishing at the rim or with his decision making. Still somebody has to do it and it's in his nature to try to step up. For him less is better- stick to shooting threes ( career average 36% ) and playing tough defence.

One aspect that he doesn't get enough praise for is that defence. I find most casual observers don't consider defence to be all that important . Brooks really tries his ass off and usually takes the opponent's best player. In the 2019/2020 season in terms of defensive load , Brooks ranked ninth ( Dort was # 2). I always tell people if you want to know who can play defense just watch who the coaches match them up with. Forget all those fancy contrived stats from nerds hiding in their mother's basement. Most of them are very arbitrary and inconclusive. I've heard NBA teams have their own far superior proprietary data, but more importantly they base defensive assignments based on massive amounts of film breakdown done by the myriad of assistant coaches sitting in the back rows.

For me Brooks , as long as you keep a tight leash on his offensive decision making is a core member of Team Canada. I think it's also important to have guys who really want to be there. Canada is looking at asking players for a potential 6 week plus commitment this summer. Nothing destroys team chemistry worse than players not being totally invested.

Couldn't agree more. Between Brooks, Dort, Birch, Boucher, Co-Jo, Barrett (a much-improved defender), and even Wiggins (if he's committed), we can get an excellent defensive unit to complement the offensive strengths of guys like SGA, Murray, and Olynyk, or, if it gets to that, even Pangos and Wiltjer. Should also be noted that both SGA and Murray have improved quite a bit on defense throughout the years. So we could really put up an excellent defensive team.

For Brooks specifically, I think if he plays alongside Murray (better be bubble Murray, not the murky version we see lately) and SGA, he can be kept off-ball and focus on catch-and-shoots and defense.

[BilboBanginz]

CBC article regarding the AmeriCup Qualifiers

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/canada-basketball-progress-americup-qualifier-1.5905851

They play a week from tomorrow and still no roster. If they manage to pull it off their training camp will be handful of practices?

Canada Basketball progressing toward playing in upcoming FIBA AmeriCup qualifier

Program was fined for skipping previous tournament due to concerns over pandemic

There is still no official word on whether Canada will participate in the FIBA men's AmeriCup qualifying tournament, which is scheduled to begin Feb. 17 in Puerto Rico.

Canada Basketball president and CEO Glen Grunwald told CBC Sports on Monday the program is "making good progress" toward participation and expects to know more later this week.

The program was fined up to $227,138 plus one point in the standings by FIBA after it skipped the previous November qualifier, citing health and safety concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

That fine will be cut in half and the point restored if Canada plays in the next qualifier, set to run Feb. 17 — Feb. 22 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Canada, ranked 21st by FIBA, is scheduled to play four times, twice each against the 51st-ranked U.S. Virgin Islands and No. 63 Cuba. Canada already split its pair of games against the Dominican Republic (No. 19), the final country in its qualifying group, in February 2020.

Typically, teams only play twice during each window. Canada's four games reflect rescheduling of the two missed in November.

The top three teams from each group advance to the 2022 AmeriCup. Though the tournament itself is not a major one, missing it automatically leads to disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Canada would clinch its AmeriCup spot with three wins in Puerto Rico, but could conceivably still qualify with just one.

Canada to appeal sanctions

Canada Basketball quickly stated its intent to appeal the punishment levied by FIBA. It had 14 days to file the appeal from Jan. 20.

In January, Grunwald said Canada Basketball was looking for increased health protocols such as more testing and longer quarantine periods in order to feel comfortable playing in Puerto Rico.

He cited the Americans' preparations for the previous qualifier, where they were in a bubble with Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico in Indiana for about a week before leaving for their tournament in Colombia.

The defending-champion U.S. team already announced its roster for the February qualifier, including former NBA all-stars Isaiah Thomas and Joe Johnson.

The qualifier has no bearing on the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Canada must win a six-team qualifying tournament scheduled for June 29 — July 4 in Victoria to qualifying for the 2021 Games.

[mojo13]

Eight days out until the first game for Canada?!? Yeah - I'm starting to get a little nervous.

If Canada misses this window who knows what could happen. Anything and everything - from absolutely nothing to a suspension through the Olympics and getting Victoria Qualifier pulled.


I don't know if this is a glimmer of hope but I have seen nothing from the USVI or Cuba on their participation (most others have announced rosters already). A week or two ago I saw a reporter comment (in Spanish) that Cuba was very questionable on whether they will attend, but he later recanted the tweet and said he couldn't confirm.



Edit: Great defense of Dillon Brooks by the way. I get really down on him sometimes after seeing box scores. I need to watch him more...

[TrueNorth31]

Eight days out until the first game for Canada?!? Yeah - I'm starting to get a little nervous.

If Canada misses this window who knows what could happen. Anything and everything - from absolutely nothing to a suspension through the Olympics and getting Victoria Qualifier pulled.


I don't know if this is a glimmer of hope but I have seen nothing from the USVI or Cuba on their participation (most others have announced rosters already). A week or two ago I saw a reporter comment (in Spanish) that Cuba was very questionable on whether they will attend, but he later recanted the tweet and said he couldn't confirm.

Yes it's hard to know what's going on. The Argies announced their roster with no European players invited. I'm not sure that means anything as they used domestic players only in the last window as well. Crazy times, just hoping the process plays out.

http://www.fiba.basketball/americup/2022/qualifiers/news/argentina-brings-up-new-names-for-last-window-of-fiba-americup-2022-qualifiers

[mojo13]

Yeah Argentina doesn't matter. They are already Qualified and seem to be using this as a developmental opportunity. 10 players born in 1997 or earlier.

Some of the other countries are bringing in Euro based players.