Pooh_Jeter wrote:I've been a hardcore sports fan for the majority of my life and there have certainly been plenty of moments where I've been bummed out, but this might be the angriest I've ever been about a sporting event. I like to think I'm pretty even keel and while I can get emotional over sports, anger is generally not an emotion I experience. That definitely wasn't the case today, I actually had to step outside and compose myself after the game.
First off, that was a choke job from top to bottom, there is no use singling out anyone, everyone deserves blame. FIBA officiating is far from perfect and the call on that last play was questionable at best, but blaming the refs is just an excuse for such a soft effort from this team. Even the inexperience card I feel like is weak, sure this team is young and it wouldn't have been shocking if you told me there would be some jitters in the semi-finals, but the talent disparity was gigantic and it isn't as though Venezuela is some well oiled machine that is routinely knocking the socks off better competition. There are players on Canada who have played in big basketball games before and they have had what, 8 games to get used to this format. One of the most infuriating aspects is that for as bad as Canada played, it wasn't as though Venezuela was much better, but they kept clawing away. With 3 minutes left, Canada had a 7 point lead and they still couldn't hold on.
In most sports they say the team's personality is a direct result of their coach. Well, if you believe that then having Jay Triano as your coach certainly didn't bode well for Canada. I'm not the only one who noticed how terrible he sounded when he was drawing up the play where Wiggins found Olynyk. I'd have to re-watch the clip, but if I'm not mistaken the play call was actually for Heslip which is LOL. Offensively Canada certainly scored their fair share of points throughout the tournament, but it was mostly due to leveraging superior athleticism/talent on the break. The half court offense was still pretty meandering. I didn't think Triano did a great job of leveraging how much shooting/versatility the bigs on this team possessed. You could have easily played 5 out on offense like the Hawks did at times. Wiggins certainly has room to refine his offensive game, but I think they did a pretty poor job clearing out for him throughout the tournament. Too many times a screen would be called or a big would post up clogging driving lanes. Putting him one on one with the wings in this tournament is only going to lead to good things for Canada. It was a disservice to Wiggins current offensive strengths. In the biggest offensive possessions of the tournament, Triano decided that now was the time to integrate Nicholson into the offense. 3 guys essentially stood around while the team desperately tried to feed him in the post. Nicholson was being effective, but you're playing into the hands of the opponent when the offense becomes that stagnant and predictable.
Defensively this team was largely a disaster all tournament. I get that the personnel wasn't ideal, but Triano did an awful job leveraging the length and athleticism this team possessed. Let's just point out what happened in this game...
Powell who was clearly the best rim protector on the team never really got off the bench in this game and since his injury has been essentially glued to the bench.
Scrubb and Heslip were used as offensive and defensive substitutions in place of a player (Stauskas) who is better offensively and defensively than both of the players who were being used to replace him. If Heslip or Scrubb were shooting lights out, fine, give them extra minutes, but it wasn't as though either was playing great. The starters on team Canada absolutely throttled everyone when they were on the floor, yet in the semi-finals Triano decides it's time to shorten the leash on them. Awful, awful stuff. I believe Undefeated pointed out that Triano was routinely tinkering with lineups and that is true, but that was mostly with the bench unit, not the starters.
Aaron freaking Doornekamp was used as a defensive replacement for Andrew Wiggins. Yes, Wiggins wasn't playing all that well, but there is absolutely no situation I can fathom where I would make that sub. Someone literally could have informed Wiggins in the huddle that both his parents had died and I still would put Wiggins out there instead of Doornekamp. That sub makes Casey putting Rasual Butler in to inbound the ball look like pure genius. I would bet a lot of money the foul on the last play doesn't even have a chance to happen if Triano actually put out his best defensive lineup (Powell, Bennett, Ejim, Wiggins, CoJo). You could have thrown Stauskas in there for Bennett and gone smaller if you wanted to.
I've gone from being over the moon excited about this team to being embarrassed that I've invested so much time into following all aspects of Canadian basketball. The chances of Triano being fired are slim to none, but for the future of this team they need to get someone better. Nationality should not be a factor and if it is, shame on Canada Basketball. Look at the pure joy and adulation an Argentine showed coaching Venezuela. You're trying to tell me there is something wrong with that picture?
I know, super long post and I probably missed a few things, but this was such a crushing defeat. I'm sure with some time I'll be back on the bandwagon, but right now it's tough to imagine rooting so passionately for this team at another major tournament if things remain status quo.
This x10000000
Also, like another poster suggested, Wiggins' post game was SO underutilized even though it's his greatest strength.
I also get that Olynyk had a hot hand but if you're relying on him to win you a crucial game like tonight's then you're playing right into the opponent's hands.
It was also a very poor call made by the coach to go away from the players who played so well for us all tournament (Bennett, Wiggins, CoJo, etc.)
Triano needs to go.
