Looking back at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, I still vividly remember how the Canadian men's basketball roster represented both tremendous promise and what many considered a missed opportunity. As someone who's followed international basketball for over a decade, I found this particular Canadian squad fascinating because it perfectly illustrated the challenge of assembling top NBA talent for international competitions. What struck me most was how this team's journey somewhat mirrored what we saw with Chery Tiggo in the preseason playoffs - sometimes even talented groups have to take the longer, more difficult path to prove themselves.
The roster featured 12 NBA players, which on paper should have made Canada a medal contender. I distinctly recall thinking this was arguably the most talented Canadian team ever assembled, with seven players coming off NBA seasons where they averaged double-digit scoring. Jamal Murray, fresh from his breakout season with the Denver Nuggets where he put up 18.2 points and 4.8 assists per game, was expected to be the centerpiece. Alongside him, Kelly Olynyk provided that unique stretch-five capability that's so valuable in international play - I've always appreciated how his 7-foot frame combined with three-point shooting creates mismatches that few international teams can handle effectively.
What made this team particularly interesting from my perspective was the blend of veteran presence and emerging talent. Cory Joseph brought that steady leadership at point guard, while younger players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were just beginning to show the potential that would make them stars. I remember watching Gilgeous-Alexander in preparation games and thinking his 19.8 points per game in the NBA that season barely scratched the surface of what he'd become. The frontcourt depth with Dwight Powell and Tristan Thompson gave Canada legitimate rebounding and interior defense, though I always felt they lacked that one dominant defensive anchor that medal-winning teams typically possess.
The lineup configurations presented some fascinating possibilities that I found myself analyzing for weeks before the tournament. The potential starting five of Joseph, Murray, Gilgeous-Alexander, Olynyk, and Thompson had this beautiful offensive versatility, but I worried about their half-court execution against disciplined European defenses. What many casual observers might not realize is that international basketball requires different strategies than the NBA game - the shorter three-point line and more physical defense change everything. I believed then, and still do now, that Canada would have benefited from using more pick-and-roll actions involving Murray and Olynyk, leveraging their chemistry from previous international competitions.
Where things got really interesting for me was examining the bench unit. Players like Khem Birch and Melvin Ejim provided energy and defensive intensity that could change games, while Phil Scrubb offered that pure point guard presence that every international team needs. Having watched numerous FIBA tournaments, I've come to appreciate how crucial bench production is - the compressed tournament schedule demands reliable depth. Canada's second unit actually outscored opponents by an average of 5.3 points per 100 possessions during the World Cup, which surprised many analysts but confirmed what I'd observed in their preparation games.
The comparison to Chery Tiggo's situation isn't perfect, but it resonates with me when reflecting on Canada's tournament experience. Both situations demonstrate how preseason expectations don't always translate to straightforward success stories. Canada entered ranked 23rd globally but with talent suggesting they should have been top-10 - that disconnect between potential and realization reminds me of how even well-constructed rosters sometimes need to grind through unexpected challenges. They finished 21st in the tournament with a 2-3 record, which frankly disappointed me given the talent available.
What sticks with me years later is how this roster construction highlighted both the strengths and limitations of relying heavily on NBA talent for international success. The players had the individual skills, but the lack of continuity and limited preparation time showed in crucial moments. I've always felt that Nick Nurse, who coached that team, needed more time with the group to implement his defensive schemes properly. The 90-70 loss to Australia particularly stands out in my memory - that game exposed how Canada struggled against teams with established systems and better chemistry.
Looking back, I believe the 2019 roster represented a transitional period for Canadian basketball. The talent was clearly ascending, but the program hadn't yet solved how to maximize that talent in international competitions. The experience gained, however painful at the time, laid groundwork for future success. Players like Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett, who was just 19 during that tournament, gained invaluable experience that's serving them well now. Sometimes the longer path, much like what Chery Tiggo experienced, ultimately builds more resilience and wisdom than taking the straightforward route would have.
