Could the Toronto Raptors beat a full strength Team Canada?
By Go Paolo
Team Canada Depth Chart
Guards
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cory Joseph
- Jamal Murray, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kevin Pangos
SGA could be the team’s superstar in a few years. An enigma in many aspects, SGA’s all-around game, and ideal length makes him capable of anchoring the perimeter from both ends of the floor. Joseph relished being the go-to option in previous years, but he now will serve as an overqualified 6th man.
Murray might be the best hot-and-cold type of player as he can go supernova when he’s on. Alexander-Walker could push CoJo as the team’s 6th man with his all-around offensive game. Pangos is Team Canada’s, Matt Thomas.
Forwards
- RJ Barrett, Chris Boucher
- Dwight Powell, Brandon Clarke
The big question for this team is if there are enough possessions for Murray and Barrett. As a prized student of the Mamba Mentality program, you can count on Barrett to score in bunches. You can also count in him to do so in less than efficient fashion. Ejim couldn’t be any more opposite to Barrett and will play a pivotal role on the team’s second unit.
Another big question for this team is who gets to start at the “4”. Clarke has the upside, but you know what you’re going to get from Powell making him the incumbent starter. Perhaps the biggest question, “can either hit from long-range consistently enough?”
Centers
Another debate is whether Thompson starts over Olynyk. Thompson is better as a traditional big man, but Olynyk’s game is more suited for the modern era. We’ll give Thompson the starting spot just to appease his pride. Khem Birch is too good both on the court and in the locker room to leave off the team.