No Sam? But Canada Finds Way To Win Without Him
Team Canada started this game looking like how I feel being that it is 6am. You may have guessed that is not good. Korea who is just a team that likes to shoot the 3 point shot did just that. despite the sleepy uninspired start Canada was tied 20-20 after one.
Sam Dalembert was not in the line-up for Canada(update below) but he would not have helped with the problem. The broadcast suggested that he was not hurt. Korea was doing what they do and Canada was not defending the the 3 point line as a result Korea built up a double digit lead. Canada finally started to show signs of life cutting the lead down to 6. But Canada much like yesterday it was turnovers and bad defence were killing Canada. Korea had a huge 16 point lead at halftime. Leo Rautins had many questions to answer. Like what the story was about Sam Dalembert who on the broadcast they suggested he walked away from the team? As for the players he did have they were playing with little of the style and performance that I saw personally here in Hamilton.
3rd quarter starts with a Korea layup and extending their largest lead to 18 points. Rowan Barrett would score the first points of the second half with a 3 point shot. Joel Anthony would then split a pair at the line. a steal and another Canada basket. Signs of a small rally but the still trailed by 13. A dunk by Olu Famutimi would force a Korean time out. Canada got it back to single digits on a Levon Kedall score. But Korea responds with a 3-ball pushing the lead back to 12 with the score 54-42. Rowan Barrett in his mid thirties was Canada’s best player. His 3-ball cut the lead to 9 again followed by an Anthony dunk cutting it down to 7. But Korea fought back to a 11 point advantage. Canada finally had some energy but would it be a case of to little to late. Did the whole sitiuation with Dalembert cause the flat start? That is a question for after the game. But as of now Canada was showing signs of life and some how had chopped the once 18 point lead down to just 4 points on bucket and one from Carl English making the score 63-59. Canada would end up trailing by 5 heading into the final quater. Canada seemed dead but from out of almost no where had life.
Canada would start the fourth with a defensive stop and a series of offensive rebounds which eventually lead to 2 foul shots for Levon Kendall who was having a great game. He would split a pair and the lead was 4. Korea coming out of a time out would hit a big 3 point shot to extend the lead back to 7. If Canada had the same effort in the first half this could have been a much different basketball game. But another 3 point shot and the Korean lead was back to 10 points. The clock was just over 5 minutes and Canada was facing a uphill battle to stay alive and not be heading home much earlier then expected. Rowan Barrett as if he sensed that hit a 3 point shot but it would be answered at the other end by Korea. A basket plus one for the foul for Korea looks to be the end for team Canada as they trailed by 12 with only about 3 minutes on the clock. Canada would cut the lead to 77-69 and force a 5 second violation and they would then score plus a foul from Carl English and suddenly Canada had cut the lead to 5 with 1:41 to go. Canada would foul right away and Korea went 0-2 from the line. Canada was still alive. Rowan Barett nailed a 3 point shot to cut the lead to 2. Carl English then stole the ball and thought he was heading to the line to try to tie the game. But it was called a charge on English and Korea would get the ball with just over a minute to play. Defence stepped up and got a shot clock viloation and Canada came down the floor and hit a 3 point shot to take the lead 78-77. Korea missed another shot and Canada would get the rebound this was amazing. Anderson was heading to the line. Anderson only could split a pair and Canada had a 2 point lead with just 11 seconds to play. Korea would miss on thier final attempt. Canada gets truly on of the most amazing comeback wins I personally have ever seen winning 79-77.
Canada took control of the glass and player outstanding defense in the second half and some how find a way to make it to the quater-finals to face the winner of Croatia vs Peurto Rico. Rowan Barrett really kept tt together for Canada and was the one guy that played well from start to finish. He had 22 points and Jermaine Anderson is not Steve Nash but he is good in his own right as he had 17 points and was a big part of the comeback at the point guard spot.
It will be interesting to know the story behind what happened with Sam Dalembert but the fact this team won without him was a credit to them. I have to say it one last time this was one of the best comeback I have ever seen. It was like a crazy March Maddness finish in middle of July. When Info on Dalembert is known I will add it to the next blog. But for now CANADA WINS CANADA WINS!!!
UPDATE 10am: Still no word on Dalembert and what happened. But Canada will be facing Croatia as they were 95-81 winners. Seeing as this is a Raptor Blog, Soon to be Raptor Roko Ukic is playing for Croatia and had 12 points in this game in the win. Canada vs Roko should be interesting for both fans of Canada and the Raptors. Which most reading this are likely both. Doug Smith is working on the Sam Dalembert thing so check his blog for news if you don’t see an upadte here.
Update 11:20
Eric Smith in his blog(The Rap) was saying that Dalembert is said to have had a run in with a coach or player and is disciplined for it. He (Eric) said this is not confirmed and is just rumour at this stage. What this means going forward is anyone’s guess for Canada’s Match-Up with Croatia
Update 12:20
Fan 590 and Doug Smith (Toronto Star) have more details but it would appear that Sam Dalembert is OFF the National Team. There is some reference that Sam was not being much of a “Team Guy” and this is said to be behind the events of today.
Fan 590 Coverage On Sam Dalembert Off Team Canada
UPDATE 3:20 PM:
Based on all that has gone on today I wanted to express my thoughts on it. So I wrote a blog on the events of Today and I invite you to read it and add your own thoughts after you do. I hope the blog will at least get people thinking. It is titled What Is Up With Team Canada? I think many of us are asking that based on the events of today.
Tags: Canada Basketball, Carl English, Doug Smith, Eric Smith, Fan 590, Jermaine Anderson, Joel Anthony, Levon Kendall, Rowan Barrett, Sam Dalembert, Toronto Star, Update On Sam Dalembert
