State of the Union. Team Canada Basketball. (FIBA Americas Aug.31-Sep.15)

[thunderforce]

I love all the hate is means that people really care , just like the hate the hockey team gets when the loose . In another year or two we should be able to beat all the teams not called USA and as the hate grows so does the greatness of the team . Far better than no one caring at all .

[TheFutureMM]

Nash's comment is nonsense. "overwhelmed in the moment", lol, you lost to Venezuela. It's inexcusable to lose to an inferior team like that on the most important game of the entire tournament. WHY are you playing your worst game in the most important time of the entire tournament??? The **** are you "searching" for exactly? You got a plethora of NBA talent vs a bunch of no name scrubs coached by a guy with all enthusiasm in the world but minimal knowledge of basketball, who inexplicably outcoached an NBA experienced coach.
Canada **** the bed terribly and someone needs to pay, starting with the coaching staff.

What are you talking about? Inexcusable? I love when dudes come on here and pretend they've done anything remotely related to high-level basketball with their lives. Steve Nash was an MVP in the NBA. Probably one of the best basketball minds to ever play the game. So when he say's "overwhelmed in the moment" take a second to think about it. Three of our starters are incredibly young players who have probably played on a stage this intense once in their life. Triano can't possess their bodies and go, "Okay. Don't be nervous anymore." You can tell them let's just execute and do what we've been doing. But life isn't like that. Why do you think contending teams look for vets to complete their team?

And what do you mean no name scrubs? These guys are PRO-basketball players. You don't have to play in the NBA to be a good basketball player. You see this **** all the time. The Spurs lost to some German team in 2014 with the starters logging heavy minutes, CSKA Mosgow beat the T-Wolves a couple years back with Kevin Love playing serious minutes. That's a whole team of NBA players losing to European players! My god people underrate players so much - it's this mentality that Canada had going into the game last night!

As well, I have no idea if that Venezuelan coach started last night or if he's been coaching for twenty years but for you to say "minimal knowledge of basketball" is so **** ignorant it's ridiculous.

We went 12-2 in August/September. Came into a game we had to win with the mentality that, "Oh we lucked out to play Venezuela guess I should just book my ticket straight to Reo". Our players made horrible turnovers, missed open shots, played some really **** defense, and didn't get calls we should have.

I'm mad too but people give the players such a free ride it's crazy! The coaching staff didn't have Wiggins get stripped under the basket in the fourth, the coaching staff didn't have Cojo with three fouls early in the third, the coaching staff didn't have Kelly Olynyk fumble a pass to Dwight Powell, the coaching staff didn't have Ejim foul a three point shooter in the fourth, etc, etc.

[Badonkadonk]

Stauskas had food poisoning?

Did these guys not realize they were in freaking MEXICO? I need to send them the list of warnings we send our people when we send them to work in Mexico City.

[bokbok]

Uh It was one game they should have easily won, it was their most important game of the entire tournament.

Here's a fact, Venezuela isn't good and they probably won't win a single game in the Olympics - meanwhile Canada has got the best team, despite their young age, they've probably ever had in their history. We know it's not a talent issue that they lost, we know Triano is a junk coach from his time in Toronto, so we can easily point the finger at the coaching staff. Now ask why if the coach can't take a team of NBA players past a Venezuelan team that FIBA has ranked 27th, which is probably being generous, how in the hell is the coaching staff is qualified for the job?

[bokbok]

Nash's comment is nonsense. "overwhelmed in the moment", lol, you lost to Venezuela. It's inexcusable to lose to an inferior team like that on the most important game of the entire tournament. WHY are you playing your worst game in the most important time of the entire tournament??? The **** are you "searching" for exactly? You got a plethora of NBA talent vs a bunch of no name scrubs coached by a guy with all enthusiasm in the world but minimal knowledge of basketball, who inexplicably outcoached an NBA experienced coach.
Canada **** the bed terribly and someone needs to pay, starting with the coaching staff.

What are you talking about? Inexcusable? I love when dudes come on here and pretend they've done anything remotely related to high-level basketball with their lives. Steve Nash was an MVP in the NBA. Probably one of the best basketball minds to ever play the game. So when he say's "overwhelmed in the moment" take a second to think about it. Three of our starters are incredibly young players who have probably played on a stage this intense once in their life. Triano can't possess their bodies and go, "Okay. Don't be nervous anymore." You can tell them let's just execute and do what we've been doing. But life isn't like that. Why do you think contending teams look for vets to complete their team?

And what do you mean no name scrubs? These guys are PRO-basketball players. You don't have to play in the NBA to be a good basketball player. You see this **** all the time. The Spurs lost to some German team in 2014 with the starters logging heavy minutes, CSKA Mosgow beat the T-Wolves a couple years back with Kevin Love playing serious minutes. That's a whole team of NBA players losing to European players! My god people underrate players so much - it's this mentality that Canada had going into the game last night!

As well, I have no idea if that Venezuelan coach started last night or if he's been coaching for twenty years but for you to say "minimal knowledge of basketball" is so **** ignorant it's ridiculous.

We went 12-2 in August/September. Came into a game we had to win with the mentality that, "Oh we lucked out to play Venezuela guess I should just book my ticket straight to Reo". Our players made horrible turnovers, missed open shots, played some really **** defense, and didn't get calls we should have.

I'm mad too but people give the players such a free ride it's crazy! The coaching staff didn't have Wiggins get stripped under the basket in the fourth, the coaching staff didn't have Cojo with three fouls early in the third, the coaching staff didn't have Kelly Olynyk fumble a pass to Dwight Powell, the coaching staff didn't have Ejim foul a three point shooter in the fourth, etc, etc.

The excuses are BRUTAL.

That Venezuelan coach was half (Please Use More Appropriate Word) and clearly didn't know what he was doing and took Triano to school, wtf are you even watching last night? They literally went into his huddles and the commentators translated his speeches in English and he was basically talking nonsense.

That Spurs game was their FIRST GAME of PRE-SEASON vs a team halfway through their season...

AND the implication that consistent turnovers and ridiculous plays had nothing to do with the coaching staff? really? what exactly do you even think the coaching staff's job is anyways?

I wasn't even mad, more annoyed, before I saw Nash's long winded ramblings of excuse because I realize this team probably won't make it very far under his tutelage because of his refusal to recognize the absolute ineptness of the coaching staff and of Triano himself.

[teamLeiweke]

Canada was 8-2 and had some of the best advanced stats in the tournament.

Yes our team was young (most still on their rookie contracts or in early 20s) and they let an 8 pt lead late slip away in the Semis.

It happens sometimes in sports. Some of you need to chill.

Ref doesn't make that last second foul call and Canada is prob in the Olympics and playing in the finals and no one can say anything negative about anyone.

Canadian hoops are on the rise, they had a great showing, and Nash is hopefully building something special for 2020.

[TheFutureMM]

Nash's comment is nonsense. "overwhelmed in the moment", lol, you lost to Venezuela. It's inexcusable to lose to an inferior team like that on the most important game of the entire tournament. WHY are you playing your worst game in the most important time of the entire tournament??? The **** are you "searching" for exactly? You got a plethora of NBA talent vs a bunch of no name scrubs coached by a guy with all enthusiasm in the world but minimal knowledge of basketball, who inexplicably outcoached an NBA experienced coach.
Canada **** the bed terribly and someone needs to pay, starting with the coaching staff.

What are you talking about? Inexcusable? I love when dudes come on here and pretend they've done anything remotely related to high-level basketball with their lives. Steve Nash was an MVP in the NBA. Probably one of the best basketball minds to ever play the game. So when he say's "overwhelmed in the moment" take a second to think about it. Three of our starters are incredibly young players who have probably played on a stage this intense once in their life. Triano can't possess their bodies and go, "Okay. Don't be nervous anymore." You can tell them let's just execute and do what we've been doing. But life isn't like that. Why do you think contending teams look for vets to complete their team?

And what do you mean no name scrubs? These guys are PRO-basketball players. You don't have to play in the NBA to be a good basketball player. You see this **** all the time. The Spurs lost to some German team in 2014 with the starters logging heavy minutes, CSKA Mosgow beat the T-Wolves a couple years back with Kevin Love playing serious minutes. That's a whole team of NBA players losing to European players! My god people underrate players so much - it's this mentality that Canada had going into the game last night!

As well, I have no idea if that Venezuelan coach started last night or if he's been coaching for twenty years but for you to say "minimal knowledge of basketball" is so **** ignorant it's ridiculous.

We went 12-2 in August/September. Came into a game we had to win with the mentality that, "Oh we lucked out to play Venezuela guess I should just book my ticket straight to Reo". Our players made horrible turnovers, missed open shots, played some really **** defense, and didn't get calls we should have.

I'm mad too but people give the players such a free ride it's crazy! The coaching staff didn't have Wiggins get stripped under the basket in the fourth, the coaching staff didn't have Cojo with three fouls early in the third, the coaching staff didn't have Kelly Olynyk fumble a pass to Dwight Powell, the coaching staff didn't have Ejim foul a three point shooter in the fourth, etc, etc.

The excuses are BRUTAL.

That Venezuelan coach was half (Please Use More Appropriate Word) and clearly didn't know what he was doing and took Triano to school, wtf are you even watching last night? They literally went into his huddles and the commentators translated his speeches in English and he was basically talking nonsense.

That Spurs game was their FIRST GAME of PRE-SEASON vs a team halfway through their season...

AND the implication that consistent turnovers and ridiculous plays had nothing to do with the coaching staff? really? what exactly do you even think the coaching staff's job is anyways?

I'm not going to pretend to know what the Venezuelan coach was saying because I don't speak Spanish but I watched the FIBA stream and I doubt the announcer gave us a direct translation word for word of what he was orchestrating.

The point I'm trying to make is that the disparity in skill between "NBA" players and other pro-basketball players is not as big a gap as the NBA wants us to believe. Especially when NBA players are playing by their rules. Also, to further my point, let's look at the NBA players we have on the roster other than Wiggins. Sacre (literally the 15th man on the Lakers), Nicholson (4-5th big on the Magic) has an NBA offense but is comparatively a horrible NBA defender, Cory Joesph was the third point-guard on the Spurs, Dwight Powell was the fourth big on Dallas last year. I can go on but there is no need. These guys are NBA players sure but not all-stars let alone 8th men on their own team.

The coaching staff draws up plays out of timeouts, creates set plays he can run from the side, makes substitutions, etc. The coaching staff doesn't MAKE the actual errors on the court! The way you describe it it's like Jay Triano and Dave Smart subbed themselves in and were making the passes and making the fouls themselves... Blame them if they sit Andrew Wiggins in a close game where he's going 9/9 on the night because that's nonsensical!

Again, for the zilionth time, I'm not saying Jay Triano is guilt free. I don't think he gave Dwight Powell enough time last night to spell Kelly a little bit, he focused too hard on getting to the line once we were in the bonus in the third when it was obvious the refs were giving us nothing. I could go on. My point is NO ONE pointed a finger at the players yesterday and said, "Wow these guys are so young and it really showed last night."

I've said my piece and I kind of get where you're coming from. I just think your thesis of "We are so much better than these guys talent wise that it's obviously not the players which only leaves the coaches" is so close minded and black is black and white is white logic that you miss the bigger picture.

[Calinks]

Venezuela might upset Argentina. At least it will look better if the team that knocked off Canada took the whole ship. Those guys have so much heart, including their coach.

[Raptorfan2012]

Wow, this thread has been turning into Raptors PG threads lol. Especially love people calling our Wiggins and comparing him like Ross last game. Maybe Wiggins should stay away from Toronto after all cause you guys will run him out of town on his first bad game.

[Undefeated]

Feels like there was an influx of new posters that just started posting in here yesterday night. This thread was much better before yesterday's game (their choke job didn't help the cause either) and was sort of like a safe haven from all the chaos that typically happens on the Raptors board. I don't know, but maybe because there was a lot of hype from the media and bandwagon CB fans that bought into the hype and expected Canada to win gold and bid their way into Rio easily? I know guys like mojo, frumble, and aminiaturebuddha all frequent posters in here warned before the tournament that anything can happen in the elimination round and nothing is guaranteed even though the loss did somewhat come of a surprise but the point still holds. Anyways, hoping this thread goes back to normal now.

[lexxus]

Wow. Venezuela winning the FIBA americas.

[Universe]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JLew1050/status/642838267486822400[/tweet]

Armchair quarterbacks didn't need front row seats to realize the Venezuela team was undersized. Nash also should take some blame in this, considering he decided against national team veterans for a young and inexperienced lineup. Of course I'd be stating a different tune if we had some bounces, but pretty much the same problem came about during the Pan Am Games final too.

[Dr Positivity]

Well Venezuela beating Argentina makes it less embarrassing for us, I guess

[TheFutureMM]

Guess Argentina should fire their coach too.

[Shammgod_]

That "bad" Venezuelan team we lost to the other night just won gold with a win over Argentina, names don't make a TEAM.


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[Risk101]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gZS_bzpD50[/youtube]

Great tournament for the guys. People need to remember they're young and are growing together in the international game.

Some of the posts i've read are ridiculous. What exactly did people expect?

Anyways the future is bright for team Canada.

[Pooh_Jeter]

You could have easily played 5 out on offense like the Hawks did at times.

Canada actually did play a 4-out Motion offense like the Hawks imported by way of the Spurs. They ran the exact same stuff.

There was definitely some 4-out offense, but I don't recall any legitimate 5-out play unless I missed it. I don't think the Spurs ran anything 5-out, but I remember catching Atlanta doing it on occasion. In FIBA the paint can get so packed in you have to try some different things to maximize spacing. The great thing about the Canadian bigs is that not only can they shoot, but they can put the ball on the floor too. It would have stretched the defense even more and would have opened up some more driving lanes for the guards.

[Pooh_Jeter]

I'm pretty sure qualifying for the Olympics was more important than actually winning this tournament. But, if you want to use Venezuela winning as some sort of solace for Canada's loss knock yourself out.

Also, regarding the criticism of the team, I think the majority of people agree that the failure of the team extends to everyone involved, not just on Triano and the CIS guys.

[Undefeated]

There was definitely some 4-out offense, but I don't recall any legitimate 5-out play unless I missed it. I don't think the Spurs ran anything 5-out, but I remember catching Atlanta doing it on occasion. In FIBA the paint can get so packed in you have to try some different things to maximize spacing. The great thing about the Canadian bigs is that not only can they shoot, but they can put the ball on the floor too. It would have stretched the defense even more and would have opened up some more driving lanes for the guards.

You're right, there wasn't any 5-out from Canada, and I haven't seen the Hawks run it since they use Motion Strong as their secondary break that flows automatically into their 4-out half-court offense and into Horns off of a corner split (strongside stagger), and haven't seen any other FIBA American team run it. Canada's spacing wasn't an issue at all since they ran some nice roll-&-replace/lift action with their bigs which you can see from their favourite set "Fist Up Short" that led to all those lobs, and backside DHO actions with Wiggins attacking immediately as a counter when defense took away the lob. Sometimes, movement can be used as a component to create spacing. Not necessary to have a post open offense to maximize floor spacing.

[Patman]

Canada was 8-2 and had some of the best advanced stats in the tournament.

Yes our team was young (most still on their rookie contracts or in early 20s) and they let an 8 pt lead late slip away in the Semis.

It happens sometimes in sports. Some of you need to chill.

Ref doesn't make that last second foul call and Canada is prob in the Olympics and playing in the finals and no one can say anything negative about anyone.

Canadian hoops are on the rise, they had a great showing, and Nash is hopefully building something special for 2020.

We're not not guaranteed jack in 2020. It's this entitled attitude that gets us eliminated like in this tourney. In fact, it's gonna be even harder to qualify for 2020 since we will will w/o NBA or even NCAA players throughout most of qualification. So a team like Venezuela will probably be at full strength minus Vasquez, while we will be sending a team led by Scrubb and Doornekamp.