The 2019 FIBA World Cup is set to tip-off in China this year and it is the first year of the new format. We are weeks away from finding out which players will suite up for Canada. I really feel like what has transpired for Canada in the last four years has created a ton of pessimistic fans that don't think they will qualify for Tokyo 2020.
Lets get things straight, Canada needs to place in the Top two of FIBA Ameicas teams. Those teams include:
- Americas (7)
USA is going to be in the Top three. So they are going to get one of the berths. Argentina should place between 9th-12th, Brazil might place between 13th-16th, Puerto Rico between 14th-22nd, Venezuela anywhere from 20th-30th and Dominican Republic might be the weak link in the Americas.
Honestly, those are just predictions and because Canada was slotted in the "Group of Death" it is anyone's guess where they finish. They finished 22nd in a 24 team World Cup in 2010 but that was with a super young NBA player lacking team that went 0-5 with three super close losses. Winning the group this time around will shatter all abysmal memories of the Venezuela catastrophic loss that suddenly halted Canada's Olympic dreams in 2015. Lithuania and Australia are not pushovers and it will be a dog fit for those two games. If Senegal can help us out, 1-2 might get us through but that is a big if.
Canada's large player pool is an embarrassment of riches. However, it only becomes an asset if they skilled players decide to travel half way across the world and put on the maple leaf.
There above is a list of 25 players that will have to be dwindled down to 12 when August 31st comes along. I sure hope we don't have to be fishing for the players ranked 26th - 38th for our players. R.J. Barrett should be a shoe in considering his Dad is the GM. Olynyk has always been faithful to play for Canada and I'm confident that Joseph plays as well. Well, here goes nothing but here are my 12 players that I predict that will be in China this fall.
Joel Anthony
Brady Heslip
Melvin Ejim
Andrew Nicholson
Kelly Olynyk
| | | | Bold means they are starting and anyone that isn't there is my prediction of who doesn't want to be there. My bet is that Canada finishes in the Top 8 or 17th. I think if they don't advance in the first group stage they will be in a 16 team pot where they will be by far the superior team. More to come when I know more. | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment