It’s still unclear whether or not Nuggets guard Jamal Murray will play for Team Canada when the World Cup tips off later this month, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca, who reports that sources in Murray’s camp say the matter remains undecided.
Due to his championship run with Denver that extended into mid-June, the expectation was that Murray would be brought along slowly after reporting to the Canadian national team. But he’ll likely have to play in at least one or two of the team’s pre-World Cup exhibition games in order for Canada to feel comfortable having him suit up in Indonesia, Grange writes.
The Canadian team is currently in Germany for a series of three tune-up contests, then will travel to Spain to play two more exhibition games before continuing on to Jakarta. Murray didn’t accompany the team to Germany.
Here are a few more World Cup notes:
- Within his Sportsnet.ca story, Grange says that new Celtics forward Oshae Brissett experienced some tightness during Team Canada’s practices and was held out as a precautionary measure, but didn’t suffer a knee injury as some reports suggested. Brissett simply wants to play it safe and focus on getting ready for training camp with a new team.
- Raptors guard Dennis Schröder, a member of the German national team, is still recovering from an Achilles issue that he dealt with at the end of last season and isn’t 100%, he told reporters (story via BasketNews.com). However, he believes he’ll be ready to go for the World Cup.
- Joe Vardon of The Athletic takes a closer look at the role that Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is playing for Team USA and the feedback Haliburton got from Chris Paul, who visited the club’s training camp in Las Vegas. “The way he plays just empowers everybody,” Austin Reaves said of his backcourt mate, lauding Haliburton’s ability to get everyone else involved.
- Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who will play for Slovenia in the World Cup, already looks to be in midseason form. He poured in 34 points to go along with 14 assists and 13 rebounds in an exhibition win over Montenegro on Tuesday, as The Dallas Morning News relays.
Canada sure could use Murray or Wiggins or Nash or somebody right now bc theyre currently getting blown out by the Germans in Berlin (27-14 after 1qtr & lookin like the same underachieving squad they’ve been for the past couple of decades
Underachieving the last couple decades? How on earth is a hockey first country who barely had an NBA player to count on underachieving? This is the first time they’ve put any type of reasonable NBA talent on the floor (who bothered to show up for them when it matters).
Canada has had dozens of NBA players over the past 20yrs, I’m not sure how you could have missed that. It’s basic/common knowledge for anyone that’s been paying attention to FIBA senior men’s basketball this century that Canada has underachieved & basically been the most underachieving country in basketball during that time. They’ve had the 2nd most NBA players over the past decade yet haven’t won any medals in senior international comp. Haven’t even come close from what I can remember & have failed to even qualify for most of the most recent tournaments. Explaining basic facts that any basketball fan should know instead of actually talking about something worth talking about. Feels like deja vu
Bro Steve Nash played for them ONE time and never suited up again. Who are these amazing NBA players you are referring to? Kelly Olynyk is not leading a team anywhere. Show me the exact rosters you are referring to that “underachieved” over the last 20 years. What years and who were these amazing players that are actually on the roster?
Here’s Sankara’s idea of a GREAT team.
Rowan Barrett, David Daniels Greg Francis, Peter Guarasci Sherman Hamilton, Eric Hinrichsen, Todd MacCulloch Andrew Mavis, Michael Meeks, Steve Nash, Greg Newton, Shawn Swords.
Wow. So much talent. 2 guys actually in the NBA at the time and only one who actually touched a ball.
What a joke having to explain basic facts to someone
This matchup of former teammates Shai/Schroeder is great stuff. Canada played a lil better in the 2nd qtr but still got outscored. 16pt German lead at half
Go call the HOF Bennett