Big win for the Canadian teens

Heck of a day for Canadian basketball.

In between making sure TFC and the Argos are covered off today, to say nothing of being around to put out any fires I cause in Day 1 as a big shot, needed to get this up quickly.

With a 102-96 victory over China in Germany on Friday morning, Canada’s under-17 boys team has advanced to the semifinals of the first world cadet basketball championships and now has two games to play for a medal.

Canada gets the winner of the United States-Australia in Saturday’s semifinals; it’s probably going to be the States and it’ll a monumental task to beat them.

But even a loss there puts Canada in a bronze medal match Sunday afternoon. Lithuania, Germany, Poland and Serbia are in the other half of the draw.

We’ll get more for a fuller story later on but Anthony Bennett, who had missed three games with a head injury, returned with a vengeance, leading Canada with 29 points.

We’re supposed to be on a conference call with the folks over there in a little bit so more details should emerge but wanted to get this up as quickly as I could.

Comments

[Nick]

You weren't kidding when you said Canadian basketball was on the rise. Way to be fellas. I heard our U18 team won bronze at the FIBA Americas. Things are looking good.

[Coach Kay]

First leave it to Doug to give well deserved attention to our National Teams and young players on the day after sports greatest advertorial.

These are the teams basketball fans need to pay more attention to. An under funded national program produces a chance for a WORLD Championship medal. Medalling this weekend would argueably be the biggest "team" sports story of the year in Canada.

[Mingo Jones]

Doug, you're showing great skill as the big cheese - great story and great news about the team's win.

[Humberto]

Great news Doug!
Do you know in what schools do they regularly play? Canadians or some are playing/studying in USA?

Blogger's note: The vast majority go to Canadian high schools still

[Ted S.]

Bravo to the players and coaching staff. A very positive harbinger for Basketball Canada. A medal would be an incredible accomplishment.

[KD]

I am so happy for these kids and Basketball Canada! It is good to hear that basketball is on the rise in Canada! And this coming from a huge hockey fan. I don't want Canada just to be known as a one sport country. Look out world, here we come!

[William]

Well done boys! I look forward to continued growth with all levels of our National teams, if the senior men';s team can follow this up with a top 8 at worlds I will be one happy Canadian basketball fan.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Despite your stated hatred of summer league ball, I have two questions about summer league ball:

1. Why is Joey Graham back on a Raptor's roster?
2. Why is CHRIS BOSH'S BROTHER (!!!) on a Raptor's roster?

Thanks Doug,

Blogger's note: Not sure where you're looking but that's an old, old, old, old roster and someone needs to get it fixed.
A/

[John MacDonald]

Any sign and trade info yet?

[Andrew Gregg]

Whoops. My bad. Thanks Doug. I feel better now.

AG, Toronto

[Eric in Nova Scotia]

Congrats to the Under 17 men's cadets.
I see on the tournament website --

http://hamburg2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10/fu17wc/men/p/schedule.html

that the game with the US is around noon ET Saturday,

And also that final round games are being streamed, available at a cost - $5 US a day.
FIBA video page:
http://www.fibatv.com/page/Home/0,,12805,00.html

[MMMike]

It sounds like the Raps are getting draft picks and a trade exception:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5365794
"The Heat and Raptors have been exchanging sign-and-trade proposals for the past two days since Bosh and Dwyane Wade committed Wednesday to signing with the Heat in a package deal. Now that the Heat are no longer asking Toronto to take back Beasley, sources say that a Bosh sign-and-trade that could net him a six-year deal as opposed to a five-year deal is likely to go through by week's end, with Toronto getting the package (draft considerations and a trade exception) it wanted from the start."

[Tony]

Dougie,
From your boy IRA;Hope it's true...
15 Million TPE and a cpl picks.
Let's see what BC can do.
6-14 in the East is looking good! Good Guess :)
Tony

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-update-s070910,0,4440538.story

Blogger's note: They're working on it but, as you know, nothing is done until it's done.

[Mike H]

Sheridan in his chat today kept saying the Raps are seeing if they can get Haslem thrown in.. I don't see why really.. Yes hes solid but seems like a logjam here

Blogger's note: Best I can come up with is maybe they have a deal to flip Haslem

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Again Doug:

Do you think that putting together an effective bench for the Heat is going to be a very difficult task for Pat Riley, now that he has the big three on board? As far as I understand it he has Mike Miller and Mario Chalmers under contract and no one else, yes? Maybe one or two pare parts. But no where near enough.

I don't think it's lost on anyone that Rajon Rondo is the engine that drives the Celtics. The Heat have no one like him--nor do they have a Gelnn Davis or a Kendrick Perkins. Without those kind of guys, the Celtics don't win. And I can't see how Riley is going to get the right bench together in time for training camp. Can you?

AG, Toronto

[AJR]

Doug,

Quite the juxtaposition of Canada's under-17's who are competing with sportsmanship right beside comment on last night's fiasco. Basketball in its purest form beside its ugliest.

As we try to understand what went on through LeBron’s head last night, I’m reminded of two things:

1) Michael Jordan’s ugly Hall of Fame acceptance speech, where he basically said he would stomp on anyone’s throat for victory.
2) The villainous dojo master in the Karate Kid who instructs his pupil to “sweep the leg”.

Like those two, Lebron chose to win at all costs. In his case, the cost was the respect of his home town.

And what an ironic stage for LeBron to send that message - in front of a bunch of kids.

Go, Canada, Go! Boo, Lebron, Boo!

[d]

How long are they going to drag out this sign and trade????

Lets wait another weekend, and let even more free agents sign with other teams? What is the holdup, get it done, so we can actually take a look at the market before they are all signed.

The inaction of BC is supremely frustrating. Just man up, take the offer, and get on with the rebuild already.

Dragging this out over the weekend and into next week is just dumb.

[Aditya]

Blogger's note: Best I can come up with is maybe they have a deal to flip Haslem
-------------------------------
No they don't, but you think quite large...its good

[Ernie Armstrong]

Thanks for the good news, Doug. This could be the start of something big for Canada Basketball and what a refreshing contrast to the other hoops news of the day.

[Aditya]

really impressed with how coby karl plays (denver nuggets summer league team)..... would love to see him in a raptors uniform.... bet he could be had for a little bit for more than the minimum..... he's like a more agile luke walton (a guy that good teams need).... his understanding of the game is superb, crisp passes, decisive moves at all times......

[Aditya]

how the F does tyrus thomas get 5 yrs $40 million....does he have that much potential left?

[Aditya]

hey douggie, did ya see this?
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2010/07/09/sports/CAVS.htm

[ikonn]

Doug, can you explain why Miami would be still interested in a S&T? Bosh has already indicated that he is joining them. If CB makes such a public commitment, then why not sign him for less money and not give up any picks?

Blogger's note: Maybe they want to control his rights for the extra year.

[zaddups]

Yes the cadets are playing well! Canada's hoops future is very bright. It's very good on Doug to update the masses on what kids like Anthony Bennett, Kevin Pangos and Dyshawn Pierre are doing over there in Hamburg Germany...
You can get more insight on these youths at www.crownmagonline.com
Thanks for your tireless work covering basketball Doug!

[Rick]

Good morning Doug,
With the money that we have left to spend (including the sign and trade), who out of the remaining free agents do you think would fit best with Toronto?

Blogger's note: Doesn't have to be a free agent, I'd wait and see what shakes out