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Just checking in to give an update on the FIBA World Cup this Summer and the Canadian Zag's possible involvement
FIBA World Cup - Augst 25 throug Sept 10
Host: Philipines (4 Pools and playoffs)
Co-Hosts: Japan and Indonesia (two early round Pools each)
Canadians:
Kelly Olynyk: expected to play and should be a center piece of the team. IMO he is a Top 3 most important player for Canada. He is just fantastically suited for FIBA play, and normal FIBA Kelly is NBA Kelly at his best (18p/9r/4a/1b/1s and a couple 3s type averages)
Kevin Pangos: Expected to participate, but had an injury riddled season and a poor season overall even when healthy with Milan. He may decide to sit this one out. But if he plays he is a bench PG (perhaps 3rd) but his shooting will be valuable. Played the 2019 WC.
Brandon Clarke: Out. Injured. Didnt seem interested in playing prior to the injury either. A shame as Canada could really use him with a thin front line.
Kyle Wiltjer: Expected to be at training camp, on the cusp of making the team. Depends on who else shows up I suppose. Canada is thin upfront and with 3 point shooting, so he is one of the non-NBA players I see as most likely to make the team. Played the 2019 WC.
Andrew Nembhard: Was not in the mix last year when they asked players for a three year committment ("the 14 man Core"), but had such an impressive season he will surely be invited to camp and likely travels to the exhibition games in Europe. I'm not sure if he makes the final roster, as it could depend on whether Pangos plays or not. I'd be suprised to see both. Good news is that he riased his hand and asked to be considered, even if not part of the Core 14.
Other than the Zags, I feel good about SGA, Barrett, Dort, Nickel Alexander Walker, Cory Joseph, Oshae Brissett and Dwight Powell all playing. More of a maybe with Jamal Murray and unlikely for Andrew Wiggins. A few more NBA players are real unknowns (Boucher, Lyles, Birch, Brooks) and a few European players beyond Pangos will fill in holes (Wiltjer, Kyle Alexander, Melvin Ejim, Kassius Robertson, the Scrubb brothers among the most likely). Could be a good team if they gel together and form some chemsitry.
Non-Canadian Zags:
Rui looks very likely to play for Japan (hosted in Japan).
Sabonis looks like a near lock with Lithuania.
Filip Petrušev has been playing great of late and he could crack the Serbian roster.
Any others of note?
FIBA World Cup - Augst 25 throug Sept 10
Host: Philipines (4 Pools and playoffs)
Co-Hosts: Japan and Indonesia (two early round Pools each)
Canadians:
Kelly Olynyk: expected to play and should be a center piece of the team. IMO he is a Top 3 most important player for Canada. He is just fantastically suited for FIBA play, and normal FIBA Kelly is NBA Kelly at his best (18p/9r/4a/1b/1s and a couple 3s type averages)
Kevin Pangos: Expected to participate, but had an injury riddled season and a poor season overall even when healthy with Milan. He may decide to sit this one out. But if he plays he is a bench PG (perhaps 3rd) but his shooting will be valuable. Played the 2019 WC.
Brandon Clarke: Out. Injured. Didnt seem interested in playing prior to the injury either. A shame as Canada could really use him with a thin front line.
Kyle Wiltjer: Expected to be at training camp, on the cusp of making the team. Depends on who else shows up I suppose. Canada is thin upfront and with 3 point shooting, so he is one of the non-NBA players I see as most likely to make the team. Played the 2019 WC.
Andrew Nembhard: Was not in the mix last year when they asked players for a three year committment ("the 14 man Core"), but had such an impressive season he will surely be invited to camp and likely travels to the exhibition games in Europe. I'm not sure if he makes the final roster, as it could depend on whether Pangos plays or not. I'd be suprised to see both. Good news is that he riased his hand and asked to be considered, even if not part of the Core 14.
Other than the Zags, I feel good about SGA, Barrett, Dort, Nickel Alexander Walker, Cory Joseph, Oshae Brissett and Dwight Powell all playing. More of a maybe with Jamal Murray and unlikely for Andrew Wiggins. A few more NBA players are real unknowns (Boucher, Lyles, Birch, Brooks) and a few European players beyond Pangos will fill in holes (Wiltjer, Kyle Alexander, Melvin Ejim, Kassius Robertson, the Scrubb brothers among the most likely). Could be a good team if they gel together and form some chemsitry.
Non-Canadian Zags:
Rui looks very likely to play for Japan (hosted in Japan).
Sabonis looks like a near lock with Lithuania.
Filip Petrušev has been playing great of late and he could crack the Serbian roster.
Any others of note?
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