Michelle ThompsonCanada’s men’s basketball team has achieved its highest-ever finish in a men’s World Cup, but officials and players want to go one step further and win a medal.
The Canadians’ attempt to advance to the World Cup final was unsuccessful as they were defeated 95-86 by Serbia in the semifinals.
Instead, they will compete against America for the bronze medal on Sunday.
Head coach for Canada Jordi Fernandez remarked, “I know this is emotional for everyone, but I know these guys will do whatever it takes to get that medal.”
With early foul problems for Shae Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks, and Kelly Olynyk restricting their offensive drive as the game went on, Canada’s RJ Barrett scored 23 points in the defeat.
Serbia had 22 personal fouls at the end of the game compared to 25 for Canada.
Regarding his team’s defensive play, Fernandez remarked, “We just didn’t guard anybody, and if you don’t guard anybody at any level, you don’t get to win.” “We need to learn how to defend well and as a team if we want to win the next game. We give ourselves a chance if we do that.
According to Barrett, his squad has a specific objective.
We have to go away from here with a medal, he said.
Fernandez provided a broader perspective on Canada’s basketball program’s development and what a medal would entail for players and supporters.
“It means everything to our people back home and to these soldiers here; merely to return home with a medal is an amazing achievement. None of these men have ever been in that circumstance, he declared. “Winning it implies we put up a fight for something, but we know we can do better. We want to finish this competition thirsty and hungry and continue to elevate our program.
Playing against teams with more FIBA experience and adopting its playing style has proven difficult for both Canada and the United States.
Leo Rautins, a former head coach and player for Canada, said, “One of the things you know I’ve always preached about is you can have all the talent in the world, but you got to have experience at the FIBA level.”
When participating in FIBA competitions, NBA players must adjust to a number of factors, including refereeing, as Rautins noted.
“There is different officiating. Crazy uneven officiating occasionally occurs. Bias, consistency issues, and occasionally just poor officiating are all present. And the foreign players take care of that. NBA athletes don’t.
The distinction between the NBA and FIBA styles of play may potentially work in the Canadians’ favor, said Rautins.
I know this sounds insane, but I always thought that because we were playing a North American game, we always matched up best with the U.S. “I think both teams will feel more at ease playing against each other than they will against international teams. It’s a favorable game.”
Jalen Brunson, the point guard for the United States, had 15 points and seven assists in Friday’s shocking 113-111 loss to Germany. He summed up his performance by calling it “terrible.” Just the facts.
The New York Knicks star acknowledged the pressure his colleagues and he experience when competing internationally.
“We’re anticipated to consistently win. Because of the tradition USA Basketball has, many anticipate us to prevail, according to Brunson. “In my opinion, we weren’t initially prepared to play,”
He stated that the team would draw strength from the defeat while playing Canada for the bronze medal.
The Americans have only ever failed to medal in successive World Cups once, in 1963 and 1967, adding to the strain.
Rautins endorsed Brunson’s evaluation and noted that the U.S. finished eighth at the World Cup four years prior. He believes Canada may use Brunson’s assessment to help them in their preparation for the bronze-medal match.
“The strain is tremendous every time the United States steps on the ground. Every time you foot on the floor, you should expect to win gold, he stated.
