Quote:
Originally Posted by isaidso
^^ Quite right. More accurately, this is the first gold at any age group/gender at a FIBA tournament or Olympics. This was a far more significant win than that Universiade win though. Lots of top talent skip the Universiade. That can't be said for this tournament.
|
I hope you're right, and that this isn't another case of false hope. Canada expected to win a bronze in Montreal in 1976, but fell back. After 1983, it was believed that Canada had turned the corner after beating a US team that had Charles Barkley and Karl Malone, but the program again fell back. Again, in the 2000 Olympics with Steve Nash, Canada hoped to medal, but again fell. Once again, after the 2015 Pan Ams, Canada expected to do well in the 2016 Olympics but didn't even qualify.
Not really disagreeing with you, I'm cautiously optimistic for our chances in 2020, but many of us have gotten our hopes up before, only to have them dashed. The talent is definitely there, hopefully the organization and coaching is up to the challenge.