I'm indifferent to a lot of people's opinions on this. I personally think the team lost or was not successful because of their inexperience in the International game. They don't have an identity yet, and regardless how talented this team is, and definitely will be with Olynyk, Bennett, and Wiggins coming in, they just didn't have a backbone, or some sort of shelter to rely on when things go bad.
The defense more often than not was solid in my opinion, especially with a Jay Triano team. James Borbath from DNB and I were tweeting one another about how the players on Team Canada were hedging on screens and closing gaps better than the Triano-coached Raptors.
Offense, they had A LOT of options to run to, especially with guys like Joseph, who was more often than not successful finding his way to the rim, whether it was his own shot-creation, or via pick-&-roll/pop with Thompson, Kendall, and Nicholson. Speaking of Nicholson, he was the guy on the team that could create something out of literally nothing - role will eventually be taken by Wiggins.
They struggled in games, because of their inexperience to deal with teams they should be beating, or similar to the Raptors, no killer instinct whatsoever - losing leads, not keeping up with the attack, etc. They settled for jump-shots near the end of games - no discipline. They looked like they were trying to make a 14 point deficit, a 3 point game in 2 possessions. The team also lost their composure i.e. Andrew Nicholson getting tossed, Rautins losing his cool. Team is young, and team is still learning how to be professionals, even though they're already pros in the eyes of many.
I'm happy though, even when I'm also disappointed they didn't qualify, because, let's be honest here, Canada wouldn't even win more than a game or 2 since maybe when Nash was still playing. The country's players in the recent past have been used to being ousted by 20, 30, even 40 points on occasions.
This was the first time in a long time, Canada has looked, or even performed at a level that makes them relevant. This program is only going to grow, and grow to become bigger and better.
The defense more often than not was solid in my opinion, especially with a Jay Triano team. James Borbath from DNB and I were tweeting one another about how the players on Team Canada were hedging on screens and closing gaps better than the Triano-coached Raptors.
Offense, they had A LOT of options to run to, especially with guys like Joseph, who was more often than not successful finding his way to the rim, whether it was his own shot-creation, or via pick-&-roll/pop with Thompson, Kendall, and Nicholson. Speaking of Nicholson, he was the guy on the team that could create something out of literally nothing - role will eventually be taken by Wiggins.
They struggled in games, because of their inexperience to deal with teams they should be beating, or similar to the Raptors, no killer instinct whatsoever - losing leads, not keeping up with the attack, etc. They settled for jump-shots near the end of games - no discipline. They looked like they were trying to make a 14 point deficit, a 3 point game in 2 possessions. The team also lost their composure i.e. Andrew Nicholson getting tossed, Rautins losing his cool. Team is young, and team is still learning how to be professionals, even though they're already pros in the eyes of many.
I'm happy though, even when I'm also disappointed they didn't qualify, because, let's be honest here, Canada wouldn't even win more than a game or 2 since maybe when Nash was still playing. The country's players in the recent past have been used to being ousted by 20, 30, even 40 points on occasions.
This was the first time in a long time, Canada has looked, or even performed at a level that makes them relevant. This program is only going to grow, and grow to become bigger and better.
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