There may be more Canadian representatives in the NBA than ever, but when it comes to the cream of the crop, it has yet to get any better than Steve Nash. So, when the two-time MVP talks Canadian basketball, you probably want to listen.
Joining The Bill Simmons Podcast to discuss his experience playing for the national team, Nash was critical of Canadian players skipping the FIBA World Cup, saying that there was a generational difference and that players were perhaps a little too focused on their own workouts with personal skills trainers at the cost of international events.
With only two NBAers on the final roster (Cory Joseph and Khem Birch) and over a dozen NBA invitees skipping the event, Canada dropped its first two games in group play and has already been disqualified from advancing with a possible berth to the Olympics on the line.
From 2012 to 2019, Nash was also the general manager of the Canadian national team and currently serves as a consultant for the team, so he certainly has a bias of his own here. Still, you can certainly see why he would hope for a better showing on the international stage, especially after contributing during his own playing days.
There’s no doubt that the Canadian game is as healthy as it’s ever been, but stamping a ticket to the Olympics could’ve really hammered the point home. Canada hasn’t been back to the Olympics since Nash’s last trip in 2000. Their next chance to get there will be in next July's Olympic qualification tournaments.
Perhaps Nash can get his godson, R.J. Barrett, to play in that event — by then with a year of NBA seasoning!
h/t The Ringer
