Basketball in Canada

[HomeInMyShoes]

Suddenly the Raptors are not looking like they were that bad a team against the Cavaliers. Boston just got freight trained. 71-32 at the half ?!?

[caltrane74]

No parity in the NBA.

Golden State and the Cavs should start their own league.

[GernB]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

Suddenly the Raptors are not looking like they were that bad a team against the Cavaliers. Boston just got freight trained. 71-32 at the half ?!?

And at home too. I guess the Raptors can take solace in that they at least were closer when they played in Toronto.

[blueandgoldguy]

Boston is already putting up more of a fight than Toronto with their win tonight. I like Ujiri but man does he have his work cut for him.

No high first round picks and multiple key free agents who will probably not be back. Meanwhile Boston appears to be the new young and upcoming team with Isiah Thomas and 2 high first round picks, including this year's first overall. That trade they made a few years ago looks brilliant.

When Lebron starts to age out a bit, and loses some of his dominance, or he decides to form a superteam elsewhere, whichever comes first, Boston should be poised to be the top dog in the east.

Maybe Ujiri can pull something out of his hat although it will be tough as Toronto is in Canada last I checked and none of the true grade A free agents want to play here for whatever reason...it's smells different.

[Doady]

Raptors are a treadmill team. Masai should blow it up, tank for the 2018 draft.

[logan5]

The only interesting thing about these play-offs is the chance for Golden State to make history... 16-0. At least game 3 was a bit of a battle.

[TorontoDrew]

The Toronto Raptors have promoted Bobby Webster to general manager, making the 32-year-old assistant the youngest GM in the NBA.

• Video Link

[isaidso]

Canada finally breaks through at Worlds



After getting knocked out in the Quarter-Finals of the last 3 World U-19 Championships (twice by the US and once by Croatia), Canada finally gets through to the Semi-Finals. Canada beat European champions, France, 73-67 and will meet the USA today at 2.30pm EST.

Canadian basketball has been steadily building over the years fueled by a spike in talent, a proliferation of basketball prep schools, and a solid national youth system. This is the first crop of youngsters to come up through that. This year is being looked at with keen interest as it's time to stop the talk of 'building' and start producing results.

Making it to the Semi-Finals at Worlds is a big relief and a sign the rise of Canadian basketball is real. Well done. Now lets go get a medal; gold preferably.

The next great Canadian, RJ Barrett

Courtesy of FIBA

[isaidso]

Canada leads the USA 45-42 at the half.

[JHikka]

Canada beats the US 99-87 at the World U19s! This tournament has been pretty unbelievable for Canada - first ever semifinal appearance and they come out and beat the US! US had won three of the last four tournaments heading into this one. Final versus Italy.

[isaidso]

Canada beat the USA 99-87 to advance to Gold Medal game against Italy. Hot Damn!

[elly63]

Canada beats U.S. at world under-19 event
The Canadian Press

CAIRO — Guard R.J. Barrett had 38 points and 13 rebounds to lead Canada to a stunning 99-87 semifinal win over the United States on Saturday at the world under-19 men's basketball championship.

The six-foot-seven Barrett, 17, of Mississauga, Ont., is the son of Rowan Barrett, a former Canadian national team member who represented his country at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney.

In the other semifinal game, Italy beat Spain 66-63.

This marks the first time Canada has ever played for a medal at the tournament. What's more, the Canadians played their second game without starting point guard Lindell Wigginton of Dartmouth, N.S., who is injured.

"What an incredible moment for Canadian basketball, for these kids, for this team," Canadian head coach Roy Rana said. "Great win, now we've got to move on and get ready to play for _ as unbelievable as it sounds _ a world championship."

Barrett was 12-of-24 from the field and 2-of-6 from three-point range. He also made 12-of-15 free throws.

Barrett is considered the world's best player for his age and has been the consensus top basketball prospect from the Class of 2019 for well over a year. He plays high school basketball in Florida.

Abu Kigab of St. Catharines, Ont., had 14 points for the Canadians while Nate Darling of Lower Sackville, N.S., added 13 points and Grant Shephard of Kelowna, B.C., scored 12 points.

Rana also guided a team that Andrew Wiggins, now with the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves, to a bronze medal at the 2010 world under-17 championship.

Canada U19 team page

[osmo]

So this RJ Barrett kid is the teuth! Finally Canada is enjoying the spoils of what comes when you have the best player on the court. When you have the best player then you will always have the best chance to win in these types of settings.

Congratulations to Canada and I hope we can keep this going to a gold!

[blueandgoldguy]

What a tournament for Canada! A sign of great things to come in the future. Hopefully the will be a force in future World Championships and qualify for the next Olympics in Tokyo.

After listening to the reasoning for the short term contracts for Ibaka and Lowry (overpaid at $30 million) it makes sense that the Raps go all in with this current core. East has become weaker with guys like George going to the western conference and Lebron may very well be done with Cleveland a second time following the 17-18 season and form another superteam elsewhere. Raps window to make the finals will be the next 2-3 seasons with little competition other than Boston and Cleveland. After that, blow it up...blow it really good.

[elly63]

Canada v USA Semi-Final FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017
July 8 2017
• Video Link

[elly63]

Canada up by 14 pts over Italy at the end of the first quarter. Hope I don't put the hex on them.

[elly63]

Canada up by 15 (51-36) at the half. Italians hanging in there despite the gap. Coach Rana calling smart timeouts just when the Italians get a slight bit of momentum.

[elly63]

69-48 Canada at the end of the third.

[elly63]

Let me be the first to say it. Canada is the 2017 U19 World Basketball Champion!

Canada 79 Italy 60

[isaidso]

Canada World Champs


Courtesy of FIBA