It's a long process that requires some patience

There is genuine and legitimate excitement out there about the prospects for the Canadian senior men’s basketball team.

There are a handful of excellent young players fanned out across prep schools, universities and the NBA; there is a charismatic and accomplished leader in Steve Nash to twist some arms and cajole players into playing; Nash’s assistant, Rowan Barrett, is an excellent choice, he has a cachet with precisely the groups of youngsters and their “advisors” that’s needed; and in Jay Triano they have a skilled coach who knows exactly what’s needed to have international success.

The future hasn’t looked this good in a very, very long time.

Pardon the big old heaping of cold water, though.

This team is four years away from being truly legitimate and I hope that the same people who are over-the-top excited about it realize that.

Yes, they are very good young players that Nash is trying to convince to see the benefits of playing for the national team but that same youth is going to be hard to get past.

Yes, they should qualify for the 2014 worlds – to not to would be a failure of epic proportions – but asking them to be legitimate contenders in what will be the first significant senior competition of many of their lives is asking too much.

That’s when they learn; it’s the two years after when they are supposed to make their move and even that’s not going to be that easy.

The Olympics are tough to get to, with just 12 teams and some automatic entries that basically weaken the field, the qualification process is difficult and some good teams don’t get there.

The best thing?

Well, the best thing about this time in FIBA Americas basketball is that Canada could very well be the second best team in the region and, because the States doesn’t even have to go to the worlds qualifier next year in Venezuela, there is a chance to do something significant there.

Argentina’s time is past, Brazil’s good but old and the other perennial contenders like Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela are hardly any better than Canada.

 

What that could mean – if the Americans do their part and win the 2014 worlds to gain an automatic berth in the 2016 Olympics and Brazil’s in as host – is that Canada has an easier path than ever to get to the Rio Games.

But – and this is where people need not get ahead of themselves – doing well in this hemisphere really means nothing. What Canada has to do now is start proving itself against the world, it cannot simply be happy with being a good FIBA Americas team, that doesn’t mean a thing in the bigger picture. It’s the world that counts and the world is a tough place, it’s going to take years to make a mark there.

Basketball Canada officials know this and have patience, fans and sponsors better, too.

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No, I have no problem with the TOD losing with 45-year-old Omar Vizquel getting thrown out trying to steal second with two out and down a run in the ninth last night in Detroit.

It’s not like crack Tiger closer Jose Valverde was going to get lit up, he’s apparently got a slow move to the plate and I’d rather take a chance on one guy getting one hit with a runner on second than needing two off a guy like Valverde, which they would have had they not tried to run.

Sometimes you have to try to make things happen; sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.

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I have no idea why but I found this in the car CD player, cranked it up to an almost uncomfortable level of volume and now I’ve been singing like a fool for hours.

And it reminds me that Chris De Burgh is vastly under-rated in my circles.

No, they don’t write songs like the used to; who doesn’t like a good ballad or a good story or good lyrics?

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Getting back to basketball for a quick minute.

The Canadian cadetttes, the under-17 girls at the world championship, might have a chance to do something special.

They beat Korea yesterday to finish the preliminary round at 3-2 and that puts them third in their group going into Friday’s quarter-finals.

How big is that?

Well, they get the host Netherlands in the quarters, avoid the powerful United States and a win over the hosts gives them two games to play for a medal.

Now, if they beat Netherlands they’ll get the States, most likely, in the semis but even a loss there gives ‘em a game to play for bronze.

Yeah, we’ll track them a bit more closely now, been kind of lax in that this week.

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Someone told me there might be a pucks lockout?

If there is, I just want to point out that I didn’t poach the hockey when there was no basketball and I’d appreciate the same consideration from my brethren if things go dark in arenas.

Thanks.

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No, I don’t have nearly enough mail.

No ‘hellos’, no ‘how are you’s’, no surprises.

Come on folks.

Click. Write. Send.

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Comments

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Omar was a media marvel earlier in the season when he became the only 45-year-old ever to hit a double and a triple in the same game – without breaking a sweat and with energy to spare. Today all the emphasis is on the fact, gee, he's 45 – not on the fact he's still got it and they were playing for the tie. Good for them. Good for Omar.
Just want to add, lots of people using "cache" when they're referring to "cachet" these days... "cache" is a stash; "cachet" is street cred. Keep your cache; shoot for cachet.
Cheers. Go 3-on-3!

[Tabber]

Shouldn't be playing for the tie on the road, just at home - according to the "book", because the home team still gets the last at-bat. Sorry, I like Omar, but this year ain't going nowhere, I hate the pinch-running for Sierra and the pinch-hitting for Hechevierra, how do they get the best idea of what the kids can do if they take them out in clutch moments?

[sam]

I'm certain Omar's 45 year old legs are a tad quicker than mine were at that age but, down by a run in the 9th inning with 2 out is not really the time to steal. I think we can all agree it's time to stick a fork in the TOD for the season. Beaten up by injuries to the starting rotation - with Jose Bautista, Lawrie and JP down for an extended period. Core players like Romero and Lind playing well below the norm - a second baseman that is a strike out machine and a bullpen that had to be rebuilt in mid season....It's a wonder they've won as many games as they have. It seems the only bright light this season has been the emergance of Edwin as a power hitter - his play at first base has been solid too.
Pretty much everthing that could go wrong has gone wrong......

[john]

Hey D-Mac, I saw that game on TV where OMar hit the triple and I don't remember Omar having much more in the tank, I seem to remember that he was completely gassed and out of breath and the opposing third baseman having a good laugh over it. I think he's pretty awsome though, doing what he's doing at his age and playing the defence he is.

[Wilber]

Omar's a better dancer than base runner?
http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1159319/vizquel-dance_medium.gif

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
Fun song - and thanks for the visual of you in the Ford Focus singing it at the top of your lungs..."to tremendous applause, she took off her drawers...."! Bet that got you a few quizzical looks. :) Love those songs that tell stories. Harry Chapin's "Taxi" has to be one of the best. And so's this one. I remember back in my high school English class we had a two-day discussion about what might have really happened on the Tallahatchie Bridge.... Cheers!
http://youtu.be/rDHpkYI5_FY

[jimt]

Hello Sir Smith of TdotStarEh the first.Will you have inside access to the Nash camp and has Bonners window passed for the team?
Thx cheerio.

Blogger's note: The Bonner ship has sailed

[D-Mac Ottawa]

When Omar hit that triple, the announcers were gushing about how he WASN'T the least bit gassed and how he looked to be in better shape to stretch out a triple than a lot of 24-year-olds.
Also, for the record, I'm not at all saying that I thought an attempted steal, down one with two gone in the bottom of the ninth, was a good call at all – in fact, it was a bonehead call.
I'm just saying that the media spin today was focusing in on the fact that it was a 45-year-old who was tempting the already pissed-off baseball gods with that steal attempt. I still say good on Omar, unless he decided singlehandedly he wanted to be a Wednesday night hero – but I'm thinking someone called that play from 1st or 3rd or the bench, based on the pitcher's slow delivery. Maybe they thought sending Old Omar would be the last thing the Tigers would be looking for. Ballsy call until it turns into a bonehead call...
Cheers.

[doug]

to pinpoint one managers decision in a lost season is fruitless but many fans seem to need a specific moment to vent from...me it's been a disappointment, not only from a injury perspective but I am less a fan of Farrell's and A.A. then when the season began...Farrell never seems to manage out of gut instinct or a feel for the game, it's all binders,stats,tendencies....and I agree with a above poster the Jays lately have had a poor record with youngsters, and part of it is they don't know when if and how long they are going to play...quit coddling them and play them in ALL situations and please put away those dam binders...yes that knowledge is invaluable but as a manager/organization there has to be far more then that...this off-season will tell wonders...changes have to made and those changes have to be upgrades...Chris De Burgh is a true forgotten gem...speaking of sing along tunes I heard on the Q that Don Mclean was at the CNE maybe tonight or Friday or something now their was the king of a sing along song...ok cheers..

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Final thought before joining @sam in sticking the ceremonial fork in the TOD's goofy season. I get more upset about non-aggressive stuff than I ever will about errors made on effort. If last night's game (meaningless as it was) had ended with someone going down looking on a called strike three with the tying run on base, now that would be something to yip at. Go down swinging! And even a bonehead steal attempt constitutes something approaching going down swinging...
Hey, I've got a couple of questions for @doug. Really would like to hear more about your read on J.P. Arencibia. He seems a fairly capable catcher defensively (maybe lets a few too many low and away pitches get past him). Sure swings a hefty bat. Only Jays catcher ever to get AL Player of the Week honours. Haven't seen any particular improvement at the position since Mathis has been in to cover for him (granted, there's been so many injuries, it's hard to tell who might have a chance to truly contribute). And J.P.'s still young and has upside. Just wondering what you're seeing that puts him on your B list.
Question 2: Now that your favourite NBA player, Superman, is hanging out with a mighty choice looking Lakers squad, do you still believe he'll never win a ring? I totally agreed that he wouldn't win any titles in Orlando, but always wondered about the possibility that he could end up landing with a bona fide winner... and here he is. Age and injuries could play big roles on that L.A. team, true enough (or any others, for that matter)... so how do you see Howard's career path panning out now?
Cheers. And here's an overlooked Don McLean gem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V76IRlVC3oI

[sam]

I saw Don Mclean at the Mariposa Festival in Orillia a few years back. . A great singer - in good voice, but he seemed a tad ill tempered and voiced his political bent a few times too many. He wasn't fond of his accomdations and the selection tv channels at his finger tips as I recall, He was also bothered by the huge number of flying insects that seemd to constantly fly around his head -
Sitting on the shores of Lake Couchiching with a few thousand other folks sang American Pie was quite an experience though. . . . .

I'm not sure it matters a hoot who is calling the shots as manager for the Jays this year. If you loose 60 percent of your starting rotation in less than a week, and your clubhouse leader and leading RBI guy is out for a month - you need someone to step up....Edwin has, (and who saw that coming? Not me) Rasmus has to a degree - R.R hasn't. Farrell I'm sure is grasping at straws, and I don't blame him one bit.
Connie Mack couldn't win with the number of injuries the TOD have had.

[James White]

http://www.basketball.ca/canada-basketball-announces-senior-men-s-national-team-camp-and-invited-athletes--p151673

if anybody's interested, that's the link to the roster for Team Canada Senior Men's National Basketball Team's summer training camp. I'm surprised there's no Star article anywhere.

Notable absences:
-Sam Dalembert (not sure if he wasn't invited, if he declined, or if busy moving to a new team)
-Matt Bonner (i assume his attempt to suit up for Canada is over. I'm not even sure he makes the team anymore considering the options at the 4 Thompson, Nicholson etc...)
-Andy Rautins/Carl English/Denham Brown (in europe? physically unable to attend? I can only assume these 3 were invited)
-Tyler Ennis PG soon to be at Syracuse, Anthony Bennett F UNLV (these 2 must be getting ready to start school or something, there's no way 2 of the top prospects in the country didn't get invited)

Blogger's note: There've been Star articles for days, but no big deal. Bonner's time has come and gone; Dalembert, too; the kids Ennis and Wiggins are otherwise occupied and will be there next year; and another story or two should be up soon, sorry to make you wait, what, four hours from the start of the news conference to re-report what we've been saying since the middle of the London Olympics. I hate the immediacy that people seem to need these days, by the way

[doug]

@D-Mac I was hard on J.P. earlier and still would be as he seems lackadaisical back there at times when to me the thing that comes first about the catching position is catching and calling a game...same with center field first thing is defense....Mathis has disappointed me a bit, but to all of a sudden play one game a week to the opposite has shown in his performance...his bat wouldn't be as big as a liability if he was surrounded by more offense..J.P. is a B level catcher but in truth there really aren't that many elite catchers in the game if you look around..so catching is least of our worries, and before all the injuries truly hit people seem to be forgetting we were only 3 or so games above .500 and under performing...it just bothers me when i hear a manager say "we felt his tendencies are this or that"...well tendencies are all well and good as a example Adam Dunn has a tendency to strike out or not get a hit, he is the present day Dave Kingman but he hits 35 homers or so...let the players play and don't over-manage is my motto....plus i found it interesting in last years of-season people were disappointed we never got Darvish at a cost of 100 million but yet happy we never pursued Fielder, we need a Fielder in this line-up, him at first, Bautista and Edwin...there's a good start...better then the Darvish money would have been...oh well it is what it is and hot stove talk in any sport is all well and good...cheers..

[James White]

"Blogger's note: There've been Star articles for days, but no big deal. Bonner's time has come and gone; Dalembert, too; the kids Ennis and Wiggins are otherwise occupied and will be there next year; and another story or two should be up soon, sorry to make you wait, what, four hours from the start of the news conference to re-report what we've been saying since the middle of the London Olympics. I hate the immediacy that people seem to need these days, by the way"

Sorry to make you all grumpy Doug. I really didn't realize the press conference had just happened, i was talking about it with a buddy and so I looked up the list of invites, I didn't realize it was literally just announced.

I agree Bonner and Dalembert wouldn't offer much going forward, and the kids Ennis/Wiggins/Bennett can't make the camp but will be there when it matters.

But with your contacts, do you know if Rautins/English/Denham Brown were invited and are only not there because they are out of the country? These 3 guys should definitely be in the mix.

Blogger's note: Not sure the people in charge would agree with you; they may be in some mix next year but I would be entirely surprised; Rautins, perhaps, English and Brown, frankly, would not be in any quadrennial mix at any level

[doug]

oh @D-Mac I forgot the Howard question as I want to forget all about Howard actually...but there have been a couple interesting articles i have read and they raise a valid point...in essence they center on Dwight growing up....with the Magic he was the Magic with the Lakers as with the Celtics no one is ever greater then the team, and also Howard will have a intense teammate in Kobe and a driven one in Nash and a professional one in Gasol and a hard to predict one in Artest......on paper everyone is ordaining the Lakers as this great team before they have played a game, to me I think the onus is on Howard as the others are proven commodities and who are they are...Howard has to prove he isn't what he has been.....a clown at times...here is a excellent piece on it, the dressing room will tell the tale with that bunch and whether Howard grows up will be the key...

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--dwight-howard-joins-lakers--needs-to-leave-clown-act-behind-in-orlando.html