(Manila, Philippines) As there has been a before and after Steve Nash for the Canadian senior basketball program, the 12 players present at the Basketball World Cup in Manila have just crystallized their place in the history of this sport in the country.
Well, it’s not the Barcelona “Dream Team”, still considered the best basketball team of all time, that Canada defeated 127-118 on Sunday in Manila for bronze, but the Americans have so much talent that they always remain dangerous. And, indeed, there is a big lesson to learn here: you don’t build a team with talent alone. Experience and intangible “chemistry” are built with repetition, over time.
What moment ! A resounding start from the maple leaf, helped by a substantial production of eight points from Quebecer Luguentz Dort in the first quarter, an arena that vibrates with each basket scored and the battle of the Americas won in overtime by Canada after a comeback from the behind the opponents at the last minute.
Finally, a first medal acquired in the World Cup and Canada which added the United States to its hunting trophies, despite the fact that the squad only included NBA players on board.
What is therefore obvious when analyzing the two finalist teams in the tournament won by Germany (which Canada moreover beat three weeks ago in the preparatory match), is of course that they are by a few NBA stars, of course, but above all that their players have been playing together for several years, since their early childhood in some cases.
This is somewhat the deficiency that Canada tried to compensate for by requesting the membership of its workforce for three years. Meanwhile, the Americans were sending players from the G-League to qualify for this Cup and did not form the final team until a month before the event. This clearly shows how deep the depth of their talent pool goes, but also that it is difficult to obtain the long-term support of players who have become real SMEs for events whose value is not always obvious to their eyes.
This commitment of the maple leaf players to a common goal and this medal at stake represent tangible foundations on which the program can build and inspire the generations that follow. “It’s the start of something that will last,” noted coach Jordi Fernandez at a press briefing after his team’s victory.
“We do it for all Canadians, there is no greater pride for me than to wear this jersey,” added the defensive player of the tournament, Dillon Brooks, who was amused by the crowd booing every time he touched the ball in Manila. The Mississauga athlete, who embraces his villain persona, shattered the record for most points scored in a Cup game with a medal at stake by going there with a production of 39 points.
This is already the most talented basketball team to ever step on the floor for the country, but there will be a lot to do if the Canadians want to “win gold at the Olympic Games” as proclaimed by the leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after the match. Several countries deprived of their best elements in Asia will be able to count on them next summer in France. The United States, which had a B squad here, will probably be able to count on LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum and other superstars of the league, the powerful Serbians on the most valuable player of the last NBA final, Nikola Jokić, and the Greeks, on the dominating Giánnis Antetokoúnmpo…
What about Canadians?
The core of this team is solid: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the head of the Canadian dragon, he already has chemistry with Quebec guard and defensive expert Luguentz Dort as well as with his cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker, whom he finds without even look in his direction on the ground. Dillon Brooks has proven his defensive credentials and should stay. RJ Barrett has played offensive second fiddle well, but Jamal Murray would be better able to fill that role on a starting five. Quebec guard Bennedict Mathurin, a true offensive dynamo who had also demonstrated his interest in joining the team, could have helped when Gilgeous-Alexander was guarded too closely. Under the basket, Dwight Powell and Kelly Olynyk did well, but lacked support. Brandon Clarke, injured this summer, and Andrew Wiggins, who was waiting for Olympic qualification to join the squad, could come as reinforcements. We could also be tempted to call on Quebecer Chris Boucher for his size and versatility.
It is a team in the literal sense that we saw evolve in Manila, a team that will go down in history as the Canadian version of the “Dream Team”.
