Saturday July 5 2008 - 6:30pm Eastern
Alright, back at it again. Live bloggin’. This time … Canada vs Lebanon at Ricoh Coliseum.
This is Game 4 of the Jack Donohue Classic for Canada. They’re 2-1 so far, after falling last night to New Zealand.
Last night’s game - in Leo Rautins’ words - was a total “embarrassment” for the Canadians … despite the fact that the final score didn’t look too bad (77-69 NZ).
Canada beat Lebanon by 20+ on Monday (89-67) in Hamilton, so we’ll see if they can do it again tonight in T.O.
The tip-off goes in about 30 minutes, so I’ll check back shortly. And, as always, questions or comments are welcome below.
E. Smith
Oh man i totally hope the canadas win by huge tonite..wut u think eric smith
- johnny lombardi* BREAKING NEWS *
Juan Mendez has been cut from Team Canada.
More to come on this shortly.
- E. SmithRans Brempong has replaced Juan Mendez on the Canadian team
- E. SmithWe’re underway …
- E. SmithJoel Anthony opens the scoring with a big dunk underneath
2-0 CAN
- E. SmithIs Sam Dalmbert in the lineup for the game?
- samJohnny - I like Canada’s chances tonight. They should be inspired by their poor effort last night.
But Lebanon should also be out for ‘revenge’ after getting beat by 20+ in Hamilton on Monday
- E. SmithLevon Kendall with a put-back underneath.
Followed by a jumper from Famutimi from the right side.
6-0 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon responds on the fast break … and 1 …
Free throw good.
6-3 CAN
- E. SmithKendall back with a jumper from the top from about 15 feet.
8-3 CAN
- E. SmithAlso, totally non related to the game, but can you explain to me what a max contract is?
- samAnthony from the right baseline from about 12 feet
10-3 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon responds with a 3-ball from the left corner
10-6 CAN
- E. Smith2/2 FT for Canada …
Then a running lay-up from Anderson …
Followed by a left-handed baby hook in the lane by Anthony
Makes it 16-6 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon comes back on the fast break
16-8 CAN
But before a timeout, Kendall nails another jumper for Canada to make it 18-8 CAN
4:08 to go in the first.
- E. SmithSam -
To answer your question … No … Sam Dalembert is not playing tonight.
Leo Rautins told me that it’s nothing serious … he’s just giving the big man some much-needed rest … and he expects Dalembert to play in Canada’s two exhibition games in Germany next week.
- E. SmithFYI - Canada’s starters tonight were:
Famutimi, Anderson, Barrett, Kendall, and Anthony.
- E. SmithRunning left handed hook from about 3-feet for Joel Anthony makes it 20-8 CAN
- E. SmithFamutimi with the steal … and the break-out dunk … 22-8 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon responds with a 3-ball to make it 22-11 CAN
But Jermaine Anderson comes right back with a 3 for Canada
25-11 CAN
- E. SmithDave Thomas, Carl English, Andy Rautins into the game for Barrett, Anderson, and Kendall
- E. SmithFYI … Lebanon’s 3-ball from just a second ago was changed to a 2.
So it’s 25-10 Canada
- E. SmithI was trying to find out more RE: Juan Mendez so I fell behind on the ‘play by play’ … but here ya go …
Lebanon at the free throw line
goes 1 of 2
25-11 CAN
Lebanon then on the break, pull up for an 18-footer
25-13 CAN
Dave Thomas back for Canada from the right side from 18 feet
27-13 CAN
Lebanon responds on the break with a lay in
27-15 CAN
Carl English nails a three from the left side
30-15 CAN
Lebanon closes out the quarter with a late bucker
30-17 CAN
- E. Smith* END of the 1st QUARTER *
- E. SmithCanada leads 30-17 at the end of 1
Canada is shooting 65% from the field.
- E. Smith2nd quarter underway …
- E. SmithDave Thomas opens the scoring in the 2nd with a 3-ball.
33-17 CAN
- E. SmithBrempong off the bench with instant gratification for Leo Rautins …
Strong rebound in traffic and the put-back
35-17 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon back with a tap-in underneath.
35-19 CAN
- E. SmithCarl English fouled on a 3-ball …
English goes 3/3 at the line
38-19 CAN
- E. SmithJermaine Anderson on the break for Canada … with the lay-up.
40-19 CAN with 7:36 to go in the 1st half
- E. Smith2/2 FT for Lebanon …
Followed by a lay-up on the fast break by Lebanon …
40-23 CAN
- E. SmithAndy Rautins catch and shoot 3-ball for Canada
43-23 CAN
- E. SmithJoel Anthony with the dunk of the outlet pass on the fast break
45-23 CAN
- E. SmithCarl English finger roll lay-in ..
47-23 CAN
- E. SmithKendall with a left-handed tap-in underneath
49-23 CAN
- E. Smith* Timeout
4:05 to go in the 1st half
- E. Smith3-ball for Lebanon
49-26 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon with another one underneath
49-28 CAN
- E. SmithCanada back with two underneath from Kepkay
51-28 CAN
Lebanon responds with a 3
51-31 CAN
Then 1 of 2 FT for Anthony makes it 52-31 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon back with a jumper from 15-feet
52-33 CAN
- E. SmithRowan Barrett with a 3-ball from the right corner
55-33 CAN with 1:07 to go
- E. SmithLebanon at the line … 2/2 FT
55-35 CAN
- E. SmithKendall with a wild lay-up attempt … misses … but he gets his own rebound to put it back in …
57-35 CAN
- E. SmithKendall from 18-feet up top
59-35 CAN
- E. Smith* END of the 2ND QUARTER *
- E. SmithJoel Anthony In Raps Jersey would look nice some day. Really sucks about Juan Mendez he is a name some folks know already. Denham Brown too. Did we ever find out the full story on that one Eric?
- James BorbathCanada is shooting 57% at the half
Kendall leads Canada in scoring with 12 points
- E. SmithLebanon is shooting 42%
- E. Smith* 3rd Quarter is about to get underway
- E. SmithGuess who I just chatted with at the half, sporting a “CANADA” t-shirt?
Matt Bonner
- E. Smith1-minute into the 3rd, Lebanon opens up the scoring
59-37 CAN
- E. SmithJames -
There’s not much to say about Denham Brown - not as far as I know.
He was a no-show at camp, and that made Leo Rautins’ decision very easy.
Nobody has been able to track down Denham himself though to find out HIS side of the story.
- E. SmithLebanon with a running lay-up from the left side
59-39 CAN
- E. SmithFamutimi with a step-back 3-ball
62-39 CAN
- E. SmithFamutimi with the steal and the 1-man fast break …
Famutimi fouled on his lay-in … hits the FT
65-39 CAN
- E. SmithYup that is what I was asking if we had heard anything as to why this happened. Thanks Eric. I mentioned the great job your doing with these live blogs on the Fan 590 this afternoon. Keep up the good work!!!
- James BorbathKendall with a short hook in the lane
67-39 CAN
- E. Smith1/2 FT for Lebanon at the 5:46 mark
67-40 CAN
- E. SmithDave Thomas 2/2 FT for Canada
69-40 CAN
- E. SmithOh and best wishes to the Red Rocket on the upcoming wedding. He is a funny dude. I wish him nothing but the best.
- James BorbathDave Thomas with a rebound and put-back in traffic
71-40 CAN
* Timeout
4:28 to go in the 3rd Quarter
- E. SmithCarl English with a 3-ball from the left side
74-40 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon with a tap-in underneath
74-42 CAN
- E. SmithKendall missies 2 free throws for Canada but Dave Thomas gets the offensive rebound and puts it in
76-42 CAN
Thomas then gets a steal and storms out on the fast break for a lay-up
78-42 CAN
- E. SmithDoornekamp with the bucket underneath
80-42 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon 2/2 FT with 1:36 to go in the 3rd
80-44 CAN
- E. SmithThanks James
- E. SmithAndy Rautins 2/2 FT
82-44 CAN
Lebanon comes back with a 3-ball
82-47 CAN
- E. SmithEnglish back with a jumper from the left side
84-47 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon bucket underneath
84-49 CAN
- E. Smith* END of the 3RD QUARTER *
- E. SmithLebanon opens up the 3rd with a 3-ball
84-52 CAN
Dave Thomas comes right back with a lay-up
86-52 CAN
- E. SmithThe stats monitor isn’t working, so I don’t have any updated numbers for you RE: top scorers or field goal percentages, etc.
- E. SmithLebanon with a lay-in
86-54 CAN
Andy Rautins comes back with another 3-ball for Canada to make it 89-54 CAN
Then Brempong lays one in underneath to give Canada the 91-54 lead.
- E. SmithAlso when you have a chance. What is the people count at the game tonight? Better I hope?
- James Borbath* Timeout
7:16 to go in the game
- E. SmithLast night I guesstimated the crowed at 1,500 … and I heard the final tally was actually about 1,800
Tonight … it looks like there are more people. I’d guess about 2,200 or more
And the crowd is A LOT louder tonight - for both countries
- E. SmithDave Thomas jumper from the right side … 93-54 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon pulls up in transition with a 3-ball
93-57 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon with a tap-in underneath
93-59 CAN
- E. SmithBrempong taps it in underneath to put Canada up 95-59
- E. SmithLebanon with a jumper makes it 95-61 CAN
Time out … 3:42 to go in the game
- E. SmithCarl English with a 3-ball from the top 98-61 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon responds with a 3-ball of their own
98-64 CAN
- E. SmithLebanon Timeout
* 2:21 to go
- E. SmithLebanon 2/2 FT
98-66 CAN
- E. SmithDoornekamp with a long jumper from the right corner
100-66 CAN
- E. SmithPIZZA…LOL can Canada basketball afford that?
- James BorbathSo what was the deal with Juan?
- James BorbathMuch like Monday in Hamilton (arrrgh) I had wireless internet connections again. Perfect timing too — only came in the last :30 seconds of the game!
- E. SmithLebanon got a steal then scored on the fast break to make it 100-68 CAN
- E. SmithThat Lebanon bucket came with about :15 seconds left …
And that’s how it ended
* FINAL SCORE: 100-68 Canada
- E. SmithFinal Stats:
- CAN shoots 40/71 (56%)
- LEB shoots 25/57 (44%)
- Dave Thomas led Canada with 17 points
- E. Smith- Carl English had 16 points
Canada leaves for Germany on Sunday afternoon. They’ll play two games next week against the Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Kaman, and the German national team … before both clubs head to Athens, Greece for the Olympic Qualifier that starts on July 14
- E. SmithJames - The final word on Mendez was that Leo felt he would get more out of Rans Brempong in terms of his hustle and attitude.
Leo still had a ton of good things to say about Mendez and hopes Juan has a role with the team again in the future. But right now Rautins thinks Brempong is a better fit and he’ll buy into his role more than maybe Juan was.
- E. SmithThanks for the Info Eric…Who is going do a live blog from Germany? Do you know T.V Sked for the tourney yet Eric? Raps TV?
- James BorbathI don’t know yet James … I haven’t heard anything
- E. Smith