Canadian Content
by rbala on Sep 2, 2010 8:30 AM EDT
in Can Ball
Email
PrintThis morning we have the aftermath of the Senior Men losing to New Zealand, a great video on Tristan Thompson from the Score, MAC signs a former Terrier, more players suiting up for Simon Fraser and a lot more in this edition of Canadian Content ...
And we have some stories on yesterday's loss to New Zealand ...
Canada Basketball | FIBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CANADA 61 NEW ZEALAND 71
Canada bows out at world basketball championship - The Globe and Mail
Dispirited Canada drops fourth straight basketball worlds game to New Zealand
Canada drops must-win game at FIBA basketball showdown
Team 'running in quicksand,' Rautins says | Basketball | Sports | Toronto Sun
Canada still without a win at World Basketball Championships
Hapless Canada bounced from basketball worlds
Canadians eliminated at FIBA world men's basketball showdown
Canadian hoopsters throw up an airball
Shepherd finally has his moment | Basketball | Sports | Toronto Sun
Is it all his fault? - The Globe and Mail
Future’s bright for young Canadian hoopsters - thestar.com
I know he's out of high school but here is a look at Mr. Thompson by our colleague Jason Thom at the Score ... Canadian Basketball: Tristan Thompson | Video | The Score
Now for some great CIS/NCAA news ...
Simon Fraser adds more recruits for their first NCAA season ... News
CIS Hoops.ca: UVic Minnesota Preview from Mike Tucker
Western Mustangs - Eastern Michigan uses strong second half to down Western
The CIS Blog: Basketball: Marauders land a big and a ballhandler
Students pack Kerr Hall for Orientation Game - Ryerson Rams
And last but not least we have some CCAA news ...
Starting with our boy David Petroziello taking over the helm at St. Mary's University College in Calgary ... here
8 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Fair or unfair?
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/steve_buffery/2010/09/02/15230831.html
“Hardly anyone talks about Steve Nash and the fact that the 2000 Olympic Games hero refuses to play for Canada now, even though he’s still a great player. Yes, he has chronic physical issues, as do many other veteran players who pull on the jerseys for their country at international events. And, yes, he only has a few good years left in the NBA and wants to maximize his abilities in that regard. But, again, the same can be said for other, particularly European, veterans who play in the NBA. But consider this: Canada Basketball undoubtedly would have bent over backwards to get Nash on the team. I know for a fact they would have allowed him to arrive at training camp whenever he was ready. They would have limited his minutes to what he saw fit. Hell, they probably would have lobbied to have a street named after him. But, no, never a discouraging word is said about the man. Speaking out against Steve Nash is like speaking out against Motherhood in this country. Nash is a wonderful person and had given a lot to Canada Basketball the last few years. But you have to wonder why everyone, including Canada Basketball officials, are so reluctant to knock the Golden Boy, even just a little bit, for turning his back on the program and the country. It’s not like he spent the entire summer lying on his sore back.”
I think that is an unfair and unreal expectation for Nash, a person who has a lot of other endeavours outside of basketball. I think that issue is really a non issue. It’s that same argue argument that was used with Jamaal Magloire when he wouldn’t play for the National Team 5-8 years ago. The fact is that Nash has open said he will no longer play for the National Team and I think that to publicly call him out in a time when the team lost games that were very winnable is weak. Would it be nice to have Nash running the point, sure. Would the team be better off, of course. But he’s said he won’t play anymore and people are going to have to have to live with it. These sports writers are like high school star athletes who harp on old glory days sitting on a porch in their 40s. Get off the Nash train already because it ain’t coming.
Ray Bala
CANadian BasketBALL Report
on www.raptorhq.com
Unfair...
… expectations, and terrible article.
He brings up all these other players who are playing for their teams even though they are getting old and have chronic injuries… but never says who they are. They are just… ‘other players.’
Plus, isn’t this a professional writer? Check out this gem: “Believe me, he trained, probably just as hard, if not harder, than he would of had he devoted a few weeks to Team Canada.”
Than he “would of?” That’s not even a typo, which happen sometimes. That’s a total misunderstanding of the English language and grammar.
by dhackett1565 on Sep 3, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm with you on that ...
He seems to forget that playing for the Suns is Nash’s full time job and quite frankly Nash’s first priority is to be ready for work first. Does this same writer willingly volunteer his time to other publications if they conflict with his own writing job? Can he really expect a professional athlete to do the same?
And the grammer thing, he needs to simply use the spell check/grammer function on most document programs. Weak editing.
Ray Bala
CANadian BasketBALL Report
on www.raptorhq.com
My feeling is that It ‘s silly to suggest that Nash show up to play for a couple of weeks at less than his best just because he would be better than the next guy. Having a guy who is half-committed sends a bad example and I’m sure Nash (a great leader) recognizes just how counterproductive it would be.
The problem boils down to, how much obligation do players have to their national teams? I believe there should be some, but I don’t think a general consensus has been reached by the public yet. You have to balance the team’s interests (generally prefer no involement), the national team’s interest (prefer involement), and the player’s (variable).
I have argued here that players should be first committed to their pro teams (and their multi-million dollar contracts). In Nash’s case, he is a veteran player with fewer than 5 years remaining at his current level of play. The summer is incredibly important for players to get proper rest (physical and mental), and also to prepare their bodies physically for the upcoming grind. Players simply don’t have time for that during the regular season between practicing, travel, games, and simply maintaining their conditioning. This is why we see players often having down years after competing internationally, and Nash is already pushing the capabilities of his now fragile back.
And of course, Buffery takes a “what have you done for me lately approach” conveniently forgetting when bachelor Nash was carrying Triano’s Team Canada single-handedly. It could even be said that Nash is preparing for a life after competitive basketball with all of his travels and charitable/media work. Who can blame him for that?
+1
I’d also say that bringing in Nash would be a quick fix. At his age, he is clearly not a guy you can build around, unless you are talking about a future coaching staff.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
