Boucher not impressing | Siakam making the rounds
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The Raptors’ big man was a late and unannounced scratch Wednesday, leading to immediate concern, especially since he’d tweaked his right knee in practice Tuesday. As it turns out, concern about his knee was unwarranted. Concern about his status overall was not. Nurse revealed Thursday that Boucher has withdrawn from the team and won’t participate in the World Cup.
The reasons cited for Boucher’s absence are personal, and I’m not really keen to speculate. Here’s hoping whatever Boucher is dealing with finds a positive resolution quickly. Everyone should respect a player’s right to prioritize personal and family lives as necessary.
From a pure basketball perspective, this is disappointing for Boucher and the team. Nurse said Boucher had looked “as good as I’ve seen him” during Canada’s camp, as he was empowered to play on the perimeter more, push in transition and even try his hand at small forward. Coming off a tremendous G League season and Summer League performance, Boucher could have had a great opportunity to develop with a meaningful role against stiffer competition ahead of a pivotal training camp, where he’ll fight for a roster spot with just $125,000 of his salary guaranteed.
Canada looks even thinner in the frontcourt now, to where three-guard lineups might have to be a heavy-minute norm. The team added Owen Klassen to the roster for additional depth up front.
Josh Lewenberg joins OverDrive to discuss Chris Boucher leaving Team Canada due to personal reasons and why this decision could affect his development on and off the court.
FIBA World Cup Report: Toronto Raptors’ Chris Boucher to bow out of Team Canada – Raptors HQ
It is, obviously, an unfortunate situation for Team Canada, and for the Raptors as well, who would surely benefit from another summer of development for Boucher. But coach Nurse is correct: Life happens, and we can only wish Chris the best and hope that whatever the situation is, all will ultimately be well with him and his family and that we’ll see him back on the court soon.
Toronto Raptors: Terence Davis could prove to be an impact player – Sir Charles in Charge
Davis is a very nicely sized guard at 6-foot-4 with outstanding athleticism and strength. Although he shot just 33 percent in college from the 3-point line, The 22-year-old was outstanding from downtown in the summer league.
He’s also a productive shooter from mid-range, shooting 45 percent from the field during his college career. In his senior year, his numbers were a lot higher than previous seasons. Davis averaged 15 points a night in his last year at Ole Miss, while also seeing a jump in his rebound and assists numbers.
He is an effective shooter from all different situations as well, whether it’s a pull-up jumper or a catch and shoot scenario. He’s also an elite passer, showing the ability to thread the needle to find teammates cutting to the hoop.
From a defensive standpoint, he is quite advanced. Davis is very physical and hard-nosed when it comes to guarding oppositions, while also contributing on the glass with boards. With his lean frame and good size, he should have no problem holding his own on defense in the NBA.
Busy Schedule For Pascal Siakam – Cameroon Tribune
What was intended to be a holiday for the NBA star, Pascal Siakam, has turned out to be a busy working visit. Pascal Siakam, who is the first and only Cameroonian to have won the NBA championship title, said he came to Cameroon to pay homage to his late father whose funeral he couldn’t attend, found himself visiting a social centre, “SOS Village d’enfants-Douala” to give assistance to some under privileged children on Tuesday August 6, 2019. The same day he granted a press conference at the La Falaise hotel in Douala during which he announced his intention to animate a basketball camp christened ‘Pascal Siakam skills Academy’. He disclosed that the basketball camp which is going to regroup some 43 youths is just the first step towards helping the development of basketball in Cameroon as a means of giving back to basketball what basketball has given him. His dream is to see Cameroon have adequate infrastructure for the practice of basketball.
He declared his readiness to play for the national basketball team if called up as he is proud to be a Cameroonian. Reason why he carried the Cameroon flag when he won the championship title and MIP award (most improved player award). He said he started playing basketball at the tender age of 15 but wasn’t serious but later on fell in love with the game. He then started working hard with encouragement from the father who pushed him to best. His talents made him to be selected from college to join the NBA. The death of his father, he said, was a source of motivation for him as he wanted to make his father proud saying winning the championship title and MIP award is the best thing that ever happened to him. At the moment he didn’t realise how big his rapid achievement was but it is only in hindsight that he realised what he had accomplished.
Toronto Raptors NBA awards: All the winners in team history | HoopsHype
These are all the NBA awards and accolades received by members of the Toronto Raptors.
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