In some ways, Canada’s Game 1 loss at the FIBA Americas went exactly as scripted.
Many expected the inexperience of the Canadians to be an issue against Argentina and it was.
Luis Scola (35 points, 13 rebounds) and the Argentinians dictated the pace, controlled the boards, got more loose balls and, simply, just made more plays. They negated Canada’s depth and athleticism and exposed a weakness that Jay Triano’s team can only correct through reps.
“They need to learn,” said Argentinian forward Andres Nocioni of the Canadians. “Canada is a great team. I think they have great talent. I think they’re going to be one of the top two, so we (Argentina) haven’t done anything yet.”
Nocioni has learned … for years. He and Scola have been a part of some of those great Argentinian teams of the past that won a world championship and beat the United States – more than once. He knows what it takes to be among the top two or three countries across the globe. He has been where the Canadians want to be and he’s not ready to give up the spot just yet.
“Canada still needs to work,” Nocioni told Sportsnet. “They need to see what they need to do for a win and that’s it. (But) I think they’ve got a young team and they’re going to be alright.”
