Frontcourt flexibility an asset for Canadians
Nicholson, Bennett have been dominant at both ends of floor in all three victories
With so many players still trying to figure things out in what will amount to a five-game season, a couple of old heads are leading the way for Canada’s Pan Am Games men’s basketball team.
Andrew Nicholson and Anthony Bennett have been dominant in Canada’s three straight wins, giving coach Jay Triano two anchors at either end of the floor.
Nicholson had 11 points and 10 rebounds and Bennett added 10 points and eight boards Thursday night as the two NBAers helped Canada to a 96-76 rout of Mexico and its third straight win at the Games.
“We both do multiple things very well, these games kind of bring out our talent, we just got to push each other,” said Bennett, a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Combined with Orlando Magic’s Nicholson, Canada’s frontcourt has been the best in the tournament so far. Each has some international experience, which helps, but each also has the versatility to play either frontcourt spot.
“They’re interchangeable as pieces, one can be a five, one can be a four,” said Triano. “Everyone wants to know who the four and the five are. They are both fours and they are both fives.
“I like (Bennett) down closer to the basket, (Wednesday) we posted up Andrew Nicholson all night. That flexibility is good, we can pick on a defender we think we have an advantage on.”
Having the two capable big men comes in handy given that one generally finds himself in foul trouble at some point in a game and they have had a tendency in the past to talk themselves into even more serious problems.
Under international rules, players are disqualified after five personal fouls and — unlike the NBA — technical fouls count as personals as well. Thursday night, Nicholson picked up two personals but had to sit a good chunk of the first half because he got a needless technical for complaining about a non-call.
“He’s fired up, I want him to play like that,” said Triano. “I don’t want him to walk around like a zombie, I want him to play with passion, that’s when he’s at his best. But . . . it’s avoiding the technicals, don’t talk to the referees and you’ll be all right.”
Canada will face the United States in Friday’s 6 p.m. semifinal, while Argentina meets Brazil in the other semifinal.
The gold medal game is Saturday at 4 p.m.
“It feels good to win the games but they don’t matter now,” said Triano. “It’s a four-team tournament.” Still, winning beats the alternative. “Win or lose, getting to this point has been great for our young players,” said the coach.
“To get to play in their own country and to get the experience they have against veteran international players. I mean look at these teams. They are not young like us. They are guys who have been around the block and (our young guys) need to learn the international game and there’s not better way to do it than against these teams.”