OldSkoolCool wrote:
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I think that it is very much a top down message from Basketball Canada though. To compete on a world stage, we have, historically, needed to be a team where the sum was greater than the individual parts (or however that saying goes); while the US could get by with elite talent. This isn't even a NBA thing, think FIBA Under 21 or Under 16 World Championships. That message was passed on down the Canadian coaching ranks, down to the youth coaching certification process. I think that has created a different culture in basketball in Canada than the US.
Now I'm not saying Demar would be better if he grew up in Canada (statistically he wouldn't be); but if he had coaches teach him to not play the ISO heavy game from age 6-16; then perhaps he'd be a couple of years ahead mentally than where he is today. He is making progress, but it seems like he came in behind the 8-ball in regards to player efficiency and is trying to catch-up on the fly.
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