That didn't end too well, did it?

And another Canada season ends. Badly.

Not that anyone thought they had a legitimate chance against Croatia but that was rather dreadful nonetheless.

At no point in the game did anyone, ever, think Canada could pull off an upset and give itself a chance at the Olympics.

(Oh, and about that mailbag thing? I’m a tad under the weather and need the rest of the morning to finish it off; it’ll be up sometime later today, I hope. And there’s lots so come prepared to read)

Some quick observations in the early morning:

Canada now will have missed the 2004 Olympics, the 2006 world championships and the 2008 Beijing Games. I’ve long held that the next significant international competition they’d be in would be the 2010 worlds but now I’m not entirely sure of that.

Promising signs

I really like Olu Famutimi’s game and if he ever figures out how to assert himself consistently, he could be really good.

Levon Kendall and Joel Anthony look built for international play but they are too young to be real good right now.

That’s about it, actually.

Disappointing signs:

Carl English disappeared. Don’t know if he couldn’t handle coming off the bench or if the game’s too quick for him but they needed him and he didn’t produce.

They still don’t have a backup point guard and as much as Tyler Kepkay and Andy Rautins might think they are, they are not good enough against even mid-level international teams at the moment.

Have we seen the last of Rowan Barrett and David Thomas? Probably. I can see no reason why Barrett would play again and Thomas is over 30 and probably has had enough.

-

Coaching? That’s an issue. I believe Leo’s contract runs out after the Olympics, or at least comes up for review.

You can argue Xs and Os ‘til you’re blue in the face – I don’t think there was nearly enough creativity in the offence and there’s plenty to discuss about that -- but there are other factors to think about besides plays and substitution patterns.

Like winning. Or being competitive.

No worlds. No Olympics. Nothing better than a fifth in FIBA Americas. That’s not good enough.

And I’m not sure the signal sent by cutting Sam Dalembert in the middle of a tournament is at all good.

Sam may have been the Devil personified (and apparently that’s how the coach painted him in a radio interview Thursday) but if that was the case, shouldn’t something have been done before the qualification tournament was under way? Shouldn’t someone maybe taken him aside when he was allegedly being late to all those meetings and practices and disassociating himself from the team during training camp or the games here? I cannot believe his disruptive behaviour happened only in Germany and Athens. If it did, it should have been dealt with before the Slovenia game, not on the bus to the arena to play Korea.

It was badly handled.

-

I’m not sure if some people think Andrea Bargnani’s been lying on the couch snacking on bon-bons all summer (I get a lot of questions asking if he’s “been following the program and working out”) but he hasn’t been.

And they’ll get to check on him as early as tomorrow.

I’m told he’s supposed to be at Impact Basketball, the venerable workout gym in Las Vegas, either tomorrow or Sunday for a week and then he’s sticking around to work at Tim Grgich’s big man camp right after that.

And he won’t be too far from the prying eyes of his bosses. Strength and conditioning guru Keith D’Amelia will be around Impact and Eric Hughes, who’s been coaching the summer league team, is going to be a guest coach at the big man camp.

So, yes, Bargnani is doing stuff.

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There’ll be a big group of Raptors at Impact, too, I’m told.

Jermaine O’Neal’s there almost every day, Hassan Adams is sticking around after the summer league’s over and so is Nathan Jawai.

-

How do you think Canada, whoever wants to play, that is, will do against the United States next week in Vegas?

I got the USA minus-50.

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Here’s one mail question I got to:

Q: Having read Leo Rautins' recent article reminiscing about the team mentality of the Canadian national team preparing for the boycotted Moscow Olympics, I wonder if he expects a certain collegial brotherhood on today's national team that realistically can't be expected in today's age. Do you think he has an expectation of what a team should be, i.e. a certain attitude or bonding away from the court, that has alienated some of this country's players?

Tim F, Monterrey

A: I’m not sure what Leo’s expectations are exactly, other than all members of the team are treated equally and should be equally committed to making sure the whole is better than the sum of its parts.

But I agree that expectation may be too much in this day and age. Every player has different factors tugging at him, contracts, background, history with the program and with his teammates. I don’t think on anything like a national basketball team that’s realistic.

I think each case, and each player, has to be handled delicately, and differently. These are professionals giving up a big chunk of their summer for no pay and under sometimes tough circumstances and each has to be taken individually.

It’s a tough balance, though.

-

I see Eddie House isn’t going back to Boston – they signed Anthony Roberson instead – and if you’re a Raptor fan, I’d keep his name in mind.

I know he’s on a list over at headquarters of guys who might be available for minimum money later this summer to fill that 13^th spot.

My bad I misread a note from a friend, it's the Knicks who signed Roberson. The note said they took him INSTEAD of Boston's Eddie House and it was early and I just read it wrong.

Oops. Sorry

But House does really remain in Toronto's sights.

-

The Raptors are, what?, 0-3 at the Summer League and no one’s written to suggest Eric Hughes be fired? What’s wrong with you people?

-

Another one from an old mail delivery before I go get coffee and settle in to listen to the call from Greece and try to figure out what’s next:

Q: Hey Doug, I was just checking my source for all things true, untrue and everything in between (Wikipedia) about the Toronto Raptors. How is it that Anthony Parker is listed as a captain as well as Chris Bosh? Is it like the NHL in the sense that he is an alternate captain if Bosh is injured? Or is Wikipedia once again falling into the middle category?

Shannon M, Brampton

A: No, actually, a lot of NBA teams have two, sometimes three, “captains.” Not sure exactly why, tradition probably more than anything. It’s really not comparable to hockey at all.

Comments

[Gerald]

A double ho hum for Canadian Basketball fans. Not only did Team Canada get stuffed but Ukic didn't statistically seem that impressive. I didn't get to see the game. Please tell me that he did all the little things that don't show up on the stat board?

[Patrick]

Hey Doug,

I know you don't see the Raptors signing anyone from their summer league roster but do you think any of them will possibly get at least a courtesy invite to training camp? CJ Giles for example.

Thanks.

Blogger's note: From what I've been told (and I haven't seen a game yet), Giles and Carroll would be the two who'd get camp invites somewhere. Maybe Toronto as fodder but maybe somewhere where they've got a chance to make a team. Benson? The jury's still out since he's been hurt.

[O.J.]

Hi Doug,
Excellent blog. Just wondering why the Raps would be looking at Eddie House and not Tony Allen if we need improved perimeter defence and a player who actually attacks the net? Has Allen been signed?

Blogger's note: No, Allen's still out there and he'd be on their list as well

[Joe T.]

Well, Doug, I didn't watch any of the Canadian team games but reading your report on this morning's drubbing made me wonder if Leo Rautins hasn't been watching too many Raptors games. No defense against the dribble-drive, down by 20 in the third -- I'm sure I've read this one before! I hope that the powers-that-be do us a favour and leave Leo off the broadcasting schedule for next year's Raptor games against Philadelphia. It was sickening enough hearing him go on about Dalembert when he was trying to get him to join the team. Then even more vomit-inducing hearing him go on last season about how playing for the national team had improved Dalembert's game. I couldn't bear to hear what he'll have to say next season. There's only so many lunches I can lose...

Of course, I still hope Jack is getting most of the games next season...

[Barry]

Gerald: Ukic ran the team solidly. He didn't really look for his own shot, but made several nice passes, that led to another pass for an easy look. He also had three steals. He didn't look good numbers wise, but again ran the team effectively.

[James Borbath]

I have no clue if he would be interested but I nominatee Jack Armstrong as the next coach of Team Canada. He is a New York guy just Like Jack Donahue was, who was the most successful coach in this historoy of this program. Do you have any ideas on who replaces Leo if that is where we indeed are going?

[Stavros]

Eric Hughes should be fired!!! Well, you asked for it.

[Andy]

Hey Doug,

a) what are the possibilities that Ewing or Lucas get an invite to camp to fight for the 3rd pg spot?

b) Any idea why Jawai didn't play last night?

Blogger's note: They may get an invite but I don't think either of them are getting serious consideration for a contract; Jawai, I'm told, did play, but the name isn't in the boxscore, or it's under a wrong name as it was the other night.

[Ken]

The Knicks signed Roberson, not the Celtics, so presumably the door is still open for House to come back to Boston, espcially since James Posey signed elsewhere.

[Pat Connors]

Didn't Roberson sign with the Knicks?

Blogger's note: Fixed. Thanks

[Travis]

Anthony Roberson signed with WHO? wasn't it the KNICKS???

Blogger's note: Fixed. And explained. Thanks

[JR]

I thought the Knicks signed Anthony Roberson not the Celts.... What are the chances of J. Lucas III getting a contract? He played haevy minutes in the first Summer League game. What's John Lucas' status now with TJ gone and the Raps bringing in Gord Herbert? From what I read they sounds like they both mostly focus on skill development.

Blogger's note: John Lucas hasn't been around since the end of the season, and won't be back. And I'd suggest there's very little chance of John Lucas III getting a contract in Toronto

[Andrew Gregg]

The Philadelphia Daily News has Delambert's side of the story today, where he refutes many of the accusations leveled against him by Rautins. This is just going to get worse. B-Ball Canada is going to have to act quickly on this one because the national program is just going suffer by leaving things as they are. Regardless of who-said-what, it's obvious that Rautins let his emotions get the better of him at the worst possible time. He's supposed to be above that if he's going to be a head coach, plus he doesn't have the track record as a coach to go calling out a professional player. Rautins needed Delambert more than Delambert needed him and now the program is in shambles. Ridiculously early to start looking for the next Canadian coach, but I'll do it anyway--Gord Herbert is back in town...

[Amanda]

Sam's side of things:
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20080718_Dalembert_tells_his_side_in_Team_Canada_dispute.html

[Sean]

Really interesting interview here with Brad Miller about his recent suspension for using MJ. He's pretty candid about life in the NBA and the pressure it puts on you, in a way few NBAers would admit.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/013924.html

Gets me thinking about the NBA's drug policy, and if it is too reactive and not proactive (preventative) enough. They throw these guys out there at a young age and demand excellence, and then admonish them when they inevitably start to crack.

[ChasingAmy1988]

My question is: will Basketball Canada admit their (OK, the previous administration's mess-up) and hire Mr. Triano back with first assistant Gord Herbert?

[Andy]

I watched the entire game and there was definately no Jawai!

Maybe they rested him so he can play a lot of minutes tonight? on a back to back...

Blogger's note: Just got a note from a guy in Vegas and Jawai sat out with a strained groin. No word on if he'll play tonight or not.

[Patrick]

Small correction but, having watched most of the game last night, I'm fairly certain that Jawai didn't actually play against the Sixers. The player they continue to mistakenly list instead of him (Jawad Williams) got a DNP-CD according to the boxscore (i.e. Jawai got a DNP-CD).

They're probably just being extra cautious in light of his recent minor injury.

Blogger's note: Yeah, he sat out with a strained groin.

[derek]

Okay,
Just watched the game on my dvr. I have officially lost all respect for leo. Before the end of the second quarter there was a time out called. The camera shows Leo, not in the huddle with his team, but he was at the scorer's table telling- more whining to- the commisioner (of the tournament/FIBA). Leo's final words? He was telling the commish. that something was bulls***, then he turned around and said that something was bull**** again. He goes back into the huddle where his assistant is drawing up a play......Class act Leo! - just coach your team, can't ever imagine JT doing anything like that.

[steve]

Doug - I gotta know - does Joey dominate in practise?

Blogger's note: We don't see a lot of practice but I don't remember anyone telling me he does.

[major]

Anyone who has watched Team Canada since Leo Rautins became the coach will know that Dave Smart (Carleton University)is the real coach of this team. During timeouts he's usually the one who talking to the players. Leo Rautins is nothing more than a figure head. He the PR guy. He does the interviews. Smart is the real coach.

[zaddups]

Derek...I saw that too with Leo at the scorers table.
Apparently...the Team Canada's assistant...I believe he's an American coach draws up the plays and does the x's and o's for the team. I think Leo's role with the team is more or less like a manager...he deals with the personalities and egos on the team rather than be that guy who draws up the sets on offence and defence. That was a "damning" shot that showed the assistant with the clip board while Leo mouthed those words a few times to the FIBA Official. They say Dalembert "big-timed" the program...but I think Leo let his EGO get the best of him.
Canada will have to bend over backwards from now on with the pro guys if they want them to play.

Leo is flawed as a coach and what he did to Dalembert...after reading the Dalembert reaction posted above...was uncalled for and unprofessional. Either you drop Dalembert before he hits Greek soil...or you keep him on the team. Win or lose. Alot of talk is going around now about this situation...Basketball Canada may have to relieve Leo now...to stem the bad press or risk alienating the NBA players in the future!
By the way...Andy Rautins has NO BUSINESS being on the Canadian Sr. Mens team. He must have been some contingency that Leo put into his contract that Basketball Canada accepted when they hired him. Leo brings a name to the team and can get some corporate $$$$$ but as a coach...he is NOT READY. Make him the GM or something...but he should be replaced immediately as coach. They do it in soccer all the time. If the team fails...fire the coach and get someone else in for the next 2-3 years...plain and simple. If Leo did this in soccer he would be booted within 2 hrs of the end of the game.

[Jon]

I really hope Canada basketball gets back on track. They have no one now, especially with Joel Anthony not developed enough to be the leader of the team. Hope some crazy player miraculously comes out of no where and is Canadian. lol

Anyways, what is Leo talking about, Dalembert doesn't have commitment issues. Didn't he purposely get a Canadian passport just to play with the national team last year? Now Leo is kicking him out? woooow (but we all don't really know what happened).

[Rahulan]

Doug,

You are around Jay Triano and seem to have a good relationship with him. In your discussions with him, if asked to return, do you think he would even consider it?

Blogger's note: Haven't really discussed it seriously, actually. But I do know he feels very strongly about the program.

[bmahe]

Of course Eric's best player is Joey, and after watching his efforts trying to stop wing players going to the hoop, I question Sam's comment a couple years ago that he should try to be Ron-Ron on defense. Joey is a stiff. Sorry Joey but you are.

I still like every Raptor though, including Joey.