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BBallfanJ2
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One of the biggest wins in Canadian mens basketball - Canada tops Argentina in Pan Am Games http://www.thespec.com/pan-am-games-story/5746810-canada-gets-late-rally-to-beat-argentina-in-basketball/
Twenty years ago Basketball Canada still worked very closely with the CIAU/CIS to develop players for the national team. Now I believe perhaps only a single player at the Team Canada camp attended a Canadian university(Carleton). The rest all attended American colleges. As a result, they've played with all these American teammates and don't seem to harbour the antipathy I'd like to see toward the Americans and American basketball. I'd like to see more simmering hatred (like in hockey) which would foster more intense competitiveness.
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How much of a chance do you fellows think Nik Stauskas has of cracking the twelve man Canadian roster for the FIBA Americas Championship?
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I really like his chances to make the team. Although minutes will be hard to come by once the tournament gets underway, I think he clearly factors in the future of the national team so integrating him early is the way to go.
Other than the Tuto Marchand Cup in Puerto Rico, I'm surprised Canada has not scheduled more friendly matches leading up to the FIBA Americas Championship. They could've sent a split squad or B-team to Europe for preparation like they've done in years past. Even though on paper Canada looks formidable, most of them are young and still unfamiliar with FIBA basketball. More reps to iron out the kinks and develop chemistry couldn't have hurt.
Nik will clearly be on the team and a likely starter at the SG position. His shooting and size will be very valuable.
there is a chance Carl English starts over him, but no one is sure about that yet.
Regardless Nik will get allot of minutes either way. Canada may play 10 games in 10 days so the minutes will be spread deep. Likely everyone on this team will play meaningful minutes at the very least go 10 men deep.
Jamal Murray will not be on this team (announced today) so the possible guard cuts will likely come down to one of Phil Scrubb, Olivier Hanlan.
With Cory Joseph, Nik Stauskas and Brady Heslip as locks. And Carl English very likely.
So these 3 were cut for good or only for this cup? Also wondering what kind of role Hanlan will have, PG or SG
So these 3 were cut for good or only for this cup? Also wondering what kind of role Hanlan will have, PG or SG
For good. With one more cut to go.
I don't know about Hanlan yet. He may be the back up PG (Cory Joseph will be the main PG) or even the third PG behind Scrubb. Hanlan could easily be seen as more of a back up SG or even him and Scrubb on the floor at the same time in duo PG/SG roles.
He is a combo guard - a ball dominate guard with a scorer mentality (at least in the NCAA). He is a very explosive scorer, but a little unproven as a distributing PG. It seems his role will depend on team needs.
The Tuto Marchand games starting Sunday will start to give us a clearer idea.
Murray wasn't cut it was an academic situation with Kentucky. If Canada qualifies I would guess by next year he could even be starting over Joseph.
Tuto Marchand Cup
Canada 85 Argentina 80
Canada 80 Brazil 64
Canada 86 Dominican Republic 74
Led by veteran Anthony Bennet, Team Canada is off to a great start in the Tuto Marchand Cup currently taking place in Puerto Rico!
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