Canada Basketball

[golden]

I think you need cojo because of the vet leadership and he has earned the right to be there.


I see Cojo and Alexander-Walker on the bench. RJ backing up Wiggins or potentially playing with Wiggins would be nutty. We will see.

I think Dort, Brooks as well. It is crazy how much we have just upgraded our talent even though we always fight and do DECENTLY in recent memory given that we had Jamal Murray pull out and Olynk got injured and a few other things happened. I think Boucher also didn't play for us in the last tournament for some reason. So I think this will be big.


If we had Murray oh man. It's getting to the point where we have a wing rotation that can really compete with the best. Realistically we have a young solid team and if you look at team USA. It is solid right now but I think once Lebron say's no and the rest of them say no they will struggle. Harden, Lebron, and others have kind of done their time. Also they are all getting older and injuries are worrisome for them. I think there is a chance that they go through a bit of a down turn. Look at the last tournament...

CoJo and Olynyk are automatic - if they want to play, it's their choice. Team Canada has basically been those 2 guys + the Scrubbs for close to a decade.

Team USA could have problems with chemistry early on. They will probably end up picking mostly offensive guys who will have to become role players and defensive specialists. In a win-or-go-home format, you could catch them at a point where they haven't quite figured it out yet.

[bertarapsfan]

The fact we are at a point where we are even debating if an reliable NBA backup P.G in CoJo should be on the team shows how far the program/talent has come.
Also gotta wonder if some of these guy make it into the second round-Brooks/R.J/Powell. How quick they can turn around and make it to camp. A long 2nd round series would end in Mid june and the play-in tourney starts June 29th. Camp would have to be at least a week if not more before. Going to be a quick turn around

[Puffer]

The fact we are at a point where we are even debating if an reliable NBA backup P.G in CoJo should be on the team shows how far the program/talent has come.
Also gotta wonder if some of these guy make it into the second round-Brooks/R.J/Powell. How quick they can turn around and make it to camp. A long 2nd round series would end in Mid june and the play-in tourney starts June 29th. Camp would have to be at least a week if not more before. Going to be a quick turn around

A lot of these guys are experienced at the international game, with FIBA rules. Plus they have already played together. If Giannis is still in the playoffs/finals and can't make it. Canada should advance.

[TrueTorontoFan]

CoJo and Olynyk are automatic - if they want to play, it's their choice. Team Canada has basically been those 2 guys + the Scrubbs for close to a decade.

Team USA could have problems with chemistry early on. They will probably end up picking mostly offensive guys who will have to become role players and defensive specialists. In a win-or-go-home format, you could catch them at a point where they haven't quite figured it out yet.

you think the scrubbs get a spot?

[KeonClark]

Hope SGA plays.. he's our best Canadian (and no it's not Murray). But yeah should be a great tourney if most of these guys show up.

My starting line up would go: SGA, Dort, Wiggins, RJ, Olynyk.

Dort gives them some defense / edge. Brooks is a ball hog, and would take it away from SGA or Wiggins. RJ has to start. So play small with him and Wiggins at the 3/4. And bring Boucher, Brooks, Birch off the bench.

Tristan won't play.. he doesn't give a sh!t about Canada anymore. Cojo will be there, but shouldn't get any minutes lol. Hopefully we can get Dwight Powell. He'd be good too.

That's an outstanding starting lineup. A lot of youth, good chemistry, great defense. That team coached by Nick Nurse could be great, especially in 4 years time, swap out Wiggins for Murray and have Wiggins be the 6 man scorer

[golden]

you think the scrubbs get a spot?

[KeonClark]

Gotta keep the scrubbs for the nostalgia

[golden]

Gotta keep the scrubbs for the nostalgia

A truly unfortunate name for a basketball player.

[bertarapsfan]

List of the guys who have accepted an inviation. Even missing some key NBA guys (SGA,Boucher). We still could make a roster of 14/15 guys on NBA rosters.

[bertarapsfan]

Assuming all NBA guys make it leaving 1 spot. Think it be nice to have Nembhard as the 15 guy.
Edit: actually looks like its only a 12 man roster, meaning we are going to have to cut guys on a NBA roster. Crazy times

[KeonClark]

List of the guys who have accepted an inviation. Even missing some key NBA guys (SGA,Boucher). We still could make a roster of 14/15 guys on NBA rosters.

Someone said Tristan Thompson wasn't gonna play? And does this mean SGA and Boucher aren't playing?

[bertarapsfan]

Someone said Tristan Thompson wasn't gonna play? And does this mean SGA and Boucher aren't playing?

Ya SGA dont think is fully healthy, and boucher i think is worried about playing after coming of the knee injury and a free agent next summer

[golden]

Ya SGA dont think is fully healthy, and boucher i think is worried about playing after coming of the knee injury and a free agent next summer

Boucher possibly waiting until he knows if the Raps are picking up his contract or not. Otherwise, he's a free agent without a deal.

[planetmars]

Someone said Tristan Thompson wasn't gonna play? And does this mean SGA and Boucher aren't playing?

I just assumed he wouldn't and I'm actually quite surprised by this. Good for Tristan man. Glad he's on board. We could use a grizzled vet on this team.

These are guys that just accepted so far. Still time for others to make the team or for guys that accepted the invite to walk away. SGA is the real difference maker though. Hope he can play. And yeah surprised Boucher didn't accept. I thought he would have signed right away.

Nice to see Dwight Powell accept as well.

[planetmars]

Boucher possibly waiting until he knows if the Raps are picking up his contract or not. Otherwise, he's a free agent without a deal.

Yeah this must be why he hasn't accepted yet. The problem is we have until August 8th to either guarantee his deal or not.. and that's after the tourney.