Canada finishes on a downer

tournament but still heads home from Puerto Rico feeling a bit disappointed.

Missing its first 11 three-pointers in the game and blown out in a horrific defensive first quarter, Canada lost 88-73 to Argentina on Sunday night to finish fourth in the 10-team FIBA Americas world qualification tournament in San Juan. 

Still, despite last night’s loss that left Canada with an overall record of 4-6 at the event, achieving the goal of qualifying for next summer’s worlds was the accomplishment they wanted.

And weekend losses to Argentina and Brazil didn’t diminish, too much, from the satisfaction.

Without a dominating inside presence, Canada has to rely on outside shooting for most of its offensive production. But stone cold is an apt description for last night’s affair as Canada was 0-9 from beyond the arc in the first half. And when Argentina blew them out with a 31-8 run in the first 10-minute quarter, there was no chance for a miracle Canadian comeback.

Canada ended up missing 10 straight three-pointers, a streak broken when Toronto’s Jermaine Anderson made one in the final 30 seconds of the third quarter, a shot that carved an Argentina lead to 24 points.

The Canadians made just five of 17 three-pointers and never got within 15 points in the final 15 minutes.

Toronto’s Jermaine Anderson led Canada with 19 points to go along with 11 assists while Luis Scola had 27 for Argentina.

The game, along with a later gold medal match between Brazil and Puerto Rico, were played to determined seeds for next summer’s world championships.

Comments

[Aditya]

canada put out their full effort in the dominican republic game...i don't blame them...with no interior presence, canada has to rely too much on precise ball movement....takes too much effort...congrats leo and his team

[coachd]

Doug,
Any idea why Carl English hasn't played?

Blogger's note: Left before the semis to deal with a family issue back home, I was told tonight when I asked

[petro]

Doug,

Any scoop on why Carl English left the team for the last two games?

And... any chance that Leo just coached his last game as head coach of Canada i.e. Basketball Canada doesn't renew his contract.

Blogger's note: Family issue, had to come home. Nothing too serious I was told when I asked tonight.
And no, I don't imagine that's the case with Leo at all; nor should it be. He took a young team over a few years ago and got it to its goal this summer, his contract now runs through next year and he should be given the opportunity to fulfill it.

[dean]

Doug,

Leo stated in a post game interview he is now looking to add Nash, Bonner and Magloire to the fold?

Is he smoking wacky tobaccky??

Bonner maybe if he becomes a citizen of Canada, the other two, I'd say 5% chance, what do you think?

We need SIZE so please call 6-11 Monster of Mac , Jack VanderPol, who is only 35 or 36 and the most legit centre Canada has ever produced !!! Seriously he is so big, its scary, like standing beside a small house! He could give Scola the beat down big time !!

Peace

Deaner

Blogger's note: Less than 50, far less. A 35 or 36-year-old centre? Um, no thanks

[Ben]

Doug, maybe you can help me out with this.

Assuming FIBA rules still only allow one naturalized citizen on a team's roster, and IF (big if) both Nash and Bonner are willing to play, technically isn't Nash a naturalized citizen, having been born in South Africa, and thus we couldn't have both of them? Or am I missing something?

I only mention it in the wake of Leo's post-qualification comments, and do realize the chances of Nash playing are probably slim at best.

Blogger's note: He's Canadian, it's no problem. But I'd say it's 0.000001 to 99.999999 he plays

[K Price]

hey any word on when single game tix go on sale??? and is the first home game againt clev??

Blogger's note: Early Ocober, I believe; yes.

[Raymond C]

I seem to vaguely recall Canada getting within 12 or 13 last night in the fourth, though.

Oh well, good job on getting the Worlds berth!

[Doug]

Any thoughts on the comments that appeared on ESPN's true hoop regarding Nash and a few other NBA players joining the team for the tournament in Turkey. Does Leo really have this lined up?

Blogger's note: No, nothing is lined up; am working up a post for tomorrow on that very thing

[brothersteve]

I think we could shorten "lack of dominating inside presence" to "lack of dominating presence".
Looking at Canada's line up vs the boys from Brazil, Argentina, & PR.
The Canadian team did really well.
Everyone should be proud of the effort.

[Keith Wagar]

Come on, let's be serious for a second. If the U.S. was in the tournament Canada would have been fifth same as last year.

[Aditya]

I am looking forward to meeting the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies on tomorrow," Iverson wrote

--

lol (on tomorrow)

Blogger's note: Making fun of others is always a big-league move; did it every occur you that perhaps the writer simply forgot to put parentheses around (tomorrow) and that what was actually said was: "I am looking forward to meeting the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday."
Guess not.

[Nick]

Not to take anything away from our triumph in Puerto Rico...but thats exactly what happens with a jump shooting team. You live and die by the shot. Good to see the fellas make it to the Worlds. A top 8 finish there would be a feather in the cap.

On another note Doug, how was the oral surgery?
Cheers,
Nick

Blogger's note: Still a tad uncomfortable, but through it. Thanks

[Chris]

On the Sports Illustrated website, it shows Jamal Sampson as part of the Raptors roster. Why is that? Just curious.

Blogger's note: Figure it's just a mistake from a year ago

[petro]

Doug

Forgot to ask about Dave Smart... why is he not part of the coaching staff for the senior national team anymore?

Blogger's note: Mutual decision to go a a different way after last summer, I'm told

[Aditya]

Blogger's note: Making fun of others is always a big-league move; did it every occur you that perhaps the writer simply forgot to put parentheses around (tomorrow) and that what was actually said was: "I am looking forward to meeting the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday."
Guess not.
--

unfortunately, allen iverson did not say this to a writer...he wrote this on his twitter account

[Andre]

Right.. no inside presence... i wonder why.. Wasn't LEO the one that kicked Samuel Dalembert off the team. I read what really happened, and I hope this is Leo last game coaching Canada.

Congrats on make the world championships... with a 4-6 record..