Canadian pride??

Question

This question is more related to basketball but if anyone know please chime in. Many players take pride in representing their nation. Ryan Smyth seems to always say yes to an invite, nagging injuries or not. Mario Lemieux was a guy who wasn't always as quick to step to up to the plate.
Anyways, my question is that Samuel Dalembert (native of Haiti, lived in Montreal) of the Sixers just recently got sworn in as a Canadian citizen a couple of weeks ago, just in time to help his new home country for the Olympic qualification in Las Vegas.
So, where the hell is Steve Nash? How come he isn't representing Canada. Injury?
Anyone know why?

Sly- No, that isn't it. Barbosa of the Suns is playing for Greece.

John- Dalembert was certainly on his game last night but I'll agree he is mistake prone but he continues to improve and is near the top of the league in blocking shots. The Sixers as a whole suck.

DD- Thanks for the answer. I just lost some respect for him if that is the case? He has done his part? I beg to differ and if I recall this is not the first time he has said no.
Boo-hoo to his rest and gimpy knee. Bring a medal back to your homeland instead of worrying so much about the old mighty dollar. NBA contracts are guaranteed anyway.

John, he took refuge in Canada before going to the U.S-that would be why.

Also DD, maybe he should take a lesson from Jason Kidd, that guy can hardly walk but he is there.

I am not sure how many teams even qualify in Vegas but Nash would have atleast given them a chance.

Mike- Nash has was the MVP 2 of the last 3 years and was a finalist just last season. He makes those around him better and look like a better supporting cast. He is by far, their catalyst.

Answer 1

I believe the real reason Nash is not playing is because of an old dispute with Basketball Canada over the treatment of Jay Triano and Jack Armstrong. I don't remember the details but Nash and Triano are friends. My question is, where's Jamaal Maglorie? I don't know of any reason for him not playing.
Hats off to all the guys who took the time and effort to show up and at least give the impression they deserve our respect. too many stars, in all sports and entertainment fields, show up in their home towns, accept our accolades, and just leave town as soon as the ceremonies are over and they got their plaque. Not to single anyBODY out in particular, but I remember seeing a bit on tv about a certain blond bombshell from BC who refuses to acknowledge the presence of old friends and classmates whenever invited to town to receive accolades.

Answer 2

I agree with DD. Nash has done his fair share and then some for the Canadian national team. People are just paying attention now because of Olympic qualifying, but Nash has represented Canada in FIBA play since the days he was on the under 18 team. No one was out there saying, "isn't that great that Nash is playing for Canada" when Olympic qualifying was not on the line, but he was there even if TSN couldn't be bothered to cover it.

He has nagging injuries and the Suns winning an NBA title need to be his first priority. Besides, shouldn't FIBA/Olympic basketball be about the younger generation of athletes? Coach K seems to think so, but obviously it's different for the USA.

Answer 3

I'm really into basketball, so this is like my field. You are way off on Jason Kidd, he can definitely walk, and he can walk good for that matter. He's an elite point guard in the NBA, and he is not too old. Nash on the other hand is getting a little old, and besides, what could Steve Nash possibly do to help Canada? You must admit that Canada is about as good at basketball as the U.S. is at football (soccer), lmao! See, Nash plays for the powerhouse Phoenix Suns, they have a lot of good players (Stoudamire, Bell, Barbosa, Marion, Diaw) what he does, is he creates opportunities for these players with his passing. Now team Canada's players are not nearly as good. Nash wouldn't be much help. I remember a couple of years ago, Nash could put his team on his back and win a game almost by himself (I remember him scoring almost 50pts in the playoffs 2 years ago), but now, he won't be able to do anything without a good supporting cast around him. The FIBA Americas tournament isn't really that important, many other players from the NBA didn't go. Steve Nash needs all the rest he can get if the Suns are ever to win a championship, I really don't blame him for not going.

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I know about his MVP trophies, but the players around him are good to begin with. They are at least average, the Canadian roster is waaay below average. Have you ever seen that one Simpsons episode, where they go to Toronto, and Bart somehow ends up in team Canada's basketball court. He shoots the ball and it hits under the rim on the inside part (not even close to going in) and all the Canadians are like "oooh, he's good eh? He hit the rim! Wanna play for team Canada boy?" (lmao). That's how basketball is in Canada. Nash would not help them to anything.

Answer 4

Just to play devils advocate here, who would the rest of the team be? I don't recall Canada having a strong basketball team. Like I said I don't know the rest of the team but I don't think Nash is enough to put Canada into serious medal contention by himself. The suns can win the NBA title if he's healthy. Maybe that's his thinking. the US deals with the same thing. Amare Stoudemeyer's the only center on the team and he isn't even really a center.

Answer 5

Well, first off, Dalembert is not NBA quality material. As a Sixer fan, it ts tough to watch a guy who can't catch a pass play at the world's highest level. No kidding, watch any game and see him make grade school mistakes... and dont give me the "he just started playing 5 years ago"...

Your question is interesting from an outsiders perspective, being from the lower 48. Remeber, Smyth played on a canadien team, Lemieux didn't and neither does Nash, it seems they dont't want to ruffle any feathers... just as Joakim Noah just gained French citizenship to play international ball, now writiers are grilling him about it.
Must be a reason why Sammy Dalembert got Canadien residence other thatn patriotism, the government taxes pros big time, a USA citizenship would have saved him around 12% on his next contract...

Answer 6

Steve Nash said after the last time he represented Canada that it would be his last. That now that he is older he felt like his body could no longer take the punishment of playing a full NBA season + playoffs, and then play for Canada in the off season. I think his knees are getting bad and need the off season to heal, and that it was time for some of the younger guys to step up.

Nash has played for Canada at every opportunity his whole life, and probably doesn't have that many more NBA seasons left. So he's retired from international competition now. With his track record of playing for Canada at every opportunity, I don't begrudge him an early retirement from international play. He's done his part.

Answer 7

I agree Bob. The country where the inventor of basketball was born should make some attempt at winning an Olympic Medal and it won't happen without Nash.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

He is one of the most valuable players in the NBA and he may be trying to avoid injury. Then again, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Carmello Anthony are some of the best players in the NBA and they are playing for team USA. Good question.

Answer 10

Might be that Phoenix isn't allowing him to play.


ADD: You've got to be kidding me... hurting??? He's like 33 and in his prime... bollocks!!